Saturday Racing Tips - Riccarton Park 29/08/26

The best racing in New Zealand this Saturday comes from Riccarton Park.

Ahead of the first race we have run our eye through the card and 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.

(Note: Odds provided by 20Bet)

Selections:

Zafar – 2.20

Glamour Extreme – 7.50

Luminousty – 23.00

BEST BET – Zafar

Zafar is our best bet of the day and he will take plenty of beating in the fourth contest on the card. A winner 17 weeks ago in the Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes, that form is easily the best on offer. That win came here, if fit enough he should be good enough.

THE DANGER – Glamour Extreme

There are a few here that could look to take advantage of Zafar’s rustiness and that includes Glamour Extreme. She was unwanted in the market at Oamaru on debut, but showed flashes as she struck the front late on. This is a big step up in class, but she could run a big race.

VALUE BET – Luminousty

The value could lie with Luminousty, returning from a five month lay off, he finished second here on debut and that suggested that she could be up to winning races of this nature. A lack of recent racing is a concern but she should be better than her large odds indicate.

Selections:

Cognoscenti – 4.80

Shawshank – 7.00

Court of Appeal – 9.00

BEST BET – Shawshank

A small chance is taken in the seventh race of the day that Shawshank can provide the small shock. Race fit in comparison to some of his rivals, he has three wins in his last four starts, with his latest win coming here. He has four starts here and has only finished outside of the places once. He’s in the form of his life and could go well again.

THE DANGER – Cognoscenti

Cognoscenti will be positioned at the top of the market and represents top class connections. Making his way back from five months off the track, he was in good heart winning here on his last two visits. If ready, he will be competitive.

VALUE BET – Court of Appeal

Court of Appeal is a stablemate of Cognoscenti and is coming off a bigger layoff but could be dangerous. Highly tried, she has had a level of racing that few can match in this field. She found graded and open company tough, so a return to this level has to be seen as a plus. She could be too good for most here but has fitness to prove.

Selections:

Move On – 4.60

Miss Seth – 6.00

Henry Thomas – 13.00

BEST BET – Move On

Despite the presence of Balance of Power, we think that Move On could be the best horse in this race. Remarkably consistent, she has won three of her 25 starts, but placed in a further 11. That includes placed runs in five of her last seven. One of her wins has come here and she should go well once again.

THE DANGER – Miss Seth

When it comes to winning form, Miss Seth headlines the field. A winner of her last race and two of her last three, she has been pitched into a competitive race where she can contend. This is her first go here, but she should run well.

VALUE BET – Henry Thomas

The value play has to land with Henry Thomas. The least experienced in this field with only ten runs, he has won three of those and has placed a further three times. He has an 18 week layoff to contend with, but seven of his ten runs have come here. With two wins, it’s hard to look past his chances.

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Join us every Saturday, Sunday 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.

Representing Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson throughout Saturday’s card, Michael McNab looks to have multiple chances through Riccarton’s card and has to be the jockey to follow.

Michael McNab rides:

R1 – 4 – One True King – 3.50

R2 – 1 – Bellish Boy – 1.85

R3 – 4 – Cool Aza Rene – 3.90

R4 – 1 – Zafar – 2.20

R5 – 2 – Mad Max – 2.70

R6 – 4 – Trobriand – 3.30

R7 – 11 – Cognoscenti – 4.80

R9 – 7 – Balance of Power – 4.20

Why not back our Michael McNab quad bet?

Quad:

R2 - 1 – Bellish Boy - WIN $1.85
R4 - 1 – Zafar - WIN $2.20
R5 - 2 – Mad Max - WIN $2.70
R6 - 4 – Trobriand - WIN $3.30

Total Odds = $35.26
$10 Stake = $362.64 Return!

Odds provided by Sportaza

Our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of exotics betting, check it out for clarification on the different types of exotics betting or just to brush up on your knowledge.

Racecourse Trifecta Tip
For example:
1st: 1, 4, 9, 15
2nd: 1, 4, 9, 15
3rd: 1, 4, 9, 15

$50 stake = 208% flexi

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