The best of Saturday’s racing action from New Zealand comes from Riccarton Park, where the ten race card will be headlined by Tab Southern Alps Challenge.
As we try and pick you some winners, we have already run our eye through the card and have picked out some of our best horse racing tips. As well as our exclusive tips we have highlighted three races which look to be the most competitive of the day. Whether you want to back a short priced favourite, or a horse at longer odds, read on as we have every angle covered.
Odds provided by Bet365.
Saturday Racing Tips - Riccarton Park 12/04/25

Riccarton Park 12/04/25
Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes – (1000m)
Selections:
Zelia – 2.45
Best Rose – 4.20
Alottago – 16.00
BEST BET – Zelia
This will be Zelia’s fifth career start at Riccarton Park with this talented two year old fillie already having won at the track twice. A good winner when last seen three weeks ago, it looks like she will have conditions to suit and looks a good bet to follow up on her victory last time out.
THE DANGER – Queens Evidence
Queens Evidence is easily the least exposed horse in the field. Having just had one start which came at Wingatui at the start of March, she was utterly dominant as she cruised to an easy win on debut. Capable of anything, this is a step up in class but she rates as a huge danger.
VALUE BET – Alottago
Those at the top of the market look strong, but if you fancy taking on the favourite then Alottago could be worth siding with. She has just had one run where she finished third. Whilst there needs to be improvement, she should be much wiser this time around and could be worth a small play.
Tab Southern Alps Challenge - (1600m)
Selections:
Perfect Scenario – 4.40
Loftys Gift – 8.00
Betty Spaghetti – 8.00
BEST BET – Perfect Scenario
In a wide open contest, Perfect Scenario looks like one of the most intriguing bets of the day. A placed performer at both Group 3 and Group 1 level, this represents a huge step down in class. Nobody can match his form, but whether he can piece it together on the day remains to be seen.
THE DANGER – Matscot
Likely to only have Perfect Scenario ahead of him in the betting, Matscot will have plenty of fans in this contest. With six wins at the track, he is another with placed form in much better company than this race and could be a huge danger to all in the field.
VALUE BET – Loftys Gift
The top two in the market been battling it out in higher grades but not won recently, whilst Loftys Guft heads into this contest with two wins in her last four starts. Bang in form, she looks a real player at a decent price.
NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m)
Selections:
Loose Sally – 4.80
Kellanzor– 9.00
Mille Grazie – 9.00
BEST BET – Loose Sally
On paper this looks like Loose Sally’s race to lose. A winner when last seen in the Dunedin Guineas, she caused a shock that day by winning at big odds, but is the rightful favourite here. This looks easier but whether she can confirm her class from her last start is a key talking point.
THE DANGER – Connello
Connello is highly tried, with her last start coming in the New Zealand Oaks. Clearly highly thought of, she finished in the midfield in that Group 1 race and should find this a whole lot easier. Her last win came five months ago, connections will hope the draught ends this weekend.
VALUE BET - Kellanzor
Kellanzor brings in winning form to the contest with two wins in her last four starts. Whilst she is very much on the up, she has plenty to find with some of the principles, but she is in good form and should enjoy the conditions. She could be one to watch closely.
Best Horse Racing Betting Site This Month
Picklebet has forged a brilliant reputation for both its Australian and New Zealand horse racing. If you are looking for the perfect betting partner this weekend it makes sense to choose Picklebet for all your betting needs.
Containing a brilliant and easy to use app, you can view all of Saturday’s racing at the click of a button. With commentary on each and every horse declared for Saturday’s card, you can get a real sense of where the value in each race lies.
Offering competitive odds and a whole host of different sports to bet on including a comprehensive e-sportsbook, make Picklebet your bookmaker of choice.
PickleBet
✅ Experts in Australian and New Zealand racing
✅ Competitive odds
✅ Easy to use betting app
✅ Range of bets accepted
Join us every Saturday and Wednesday for our exclusive racing tips.
Each week we will provide the very best free horse racing tips that have been compiled by our experts.
Making sure that you don’t miss any of New Zealand’s biggest races, we will let you know what horses to watch out for and what horses could be capable of winning at a big price.
Providing information about the track and who are the notable jockeys to follow, our experts will provide you with all the information you need to know.
We will also cover any bonus bet or other promotions that are running that day and even have recommendations for other bets like multi tips, and our daily quaddie.
For a more in-depth explanation of horse racing bet types and tips for placing, visit our tips and information page.
Jockey Of The Day – Tina Comignaghi
Riccarton Park’s ten race card looks hugely competitive with their looking like being plenty of close races. One jockey who could be worth watching is Tina Comignaghi. She owns the best strike rate this season at the track and she certainly knows what it takes to win. With a book of intriguing rides this Saturday, she could be worth following.
Tina Comignaghi rides:
R5 – 11 – Funfetti – 7.50
R6 – 9 – Shesascorcher – 21.00
R7 – 7 – Tikki – 5.00
R8 – 2 – Connello – 6.50
R9 – 2 – Our Echo – 7.50
R10 – 6 – Ocean Light – 11.00
Multi Tips For Ellerslie
If you like the look of the rides that Tina Comignaghi looks to have then it could be worth siding with her best two chances of the day. This tasty looking double returns at big odds.
R7 – 7 – Tikki - WIN $5.00
R8 – 2 – Connello - PLC $6.50
Total Odds = $45.00
$10 Stake = $450.00 Return!
Odds provided by Bet365.
Exotic Tips For Riccarton Park
If you don’t like the look of our treble, then fear not as our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of bets that you can place. If you want to find out more explore it today.
Racecourse Trifecta Tip
1st: 1, 4, 9, 15
2nd: 1, 4, 9, 15
3rd: 1, 4, 9, 15
$50 stake = 208% flexi
Betting Sites Bonuses and Promotions
Bet365 has long been regarded as a brilliant betting partner and it has a growing presence all over the world.
As a powerhouse of the industry the one thing that Bet365 specialises in is value.
Offering up to $100 in matched deposits for brand new customers, to take advantage of this superb offer only $10 needs to be staked and the bonus credits will be instantly applied to your betting account.
Able to offer some of the best and competitive odds going, as well as their superb ‘Best odds guaranteed’ feature it’s easy to see why so many have turned to Bet365 for their horse racing needs.

Wednesday Racing Tips - Woodville 30/04/25
Ten action packed races make up an exciting Woodville card this Wednesday and there is plenty of action to sink your teeth into. Read on to discover our best bets of the day.

Wednesday Racing Tips - Pukekohe Park 23/04/25
Nine action packed races make up an exciting Pukekohe Park card this Wednesday and there is plenty of action to sink your teeth into. Read on to discover our best bets of the day.

Saturday Racing Tips - Ellerslie 19/04/25
Nine races make up the Ellerslie card this Saturday. Read on to discover our very best bets of the day and where the value can be found.

Wednesday Racing Tips - Ashburton 16/04/25
Ten action packed races make up an exciting Ashburton card this Wednesday and there is plenty of action to sink your teeth into. Read on to discover our best bets of the day.