Riccarton 26 Sep 2026
GOING: S(5)
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HAWKE'S BAY RACING EAST COAST CHALLENGE QUALIFIER MAIDEN 1400m Track: SOFT 5 Out 7m to 1000m then 10m to Winning Post |
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Iceland Poppy and Bellish Boy have the pace to vie for the lead from their wide draws. BELLISH BOY (1) was beaten as the favourite fresh up in her first run in the South Island, finishing fourth here 4 weeks ago over 1200m. The extra 200m will make all the difference this time, and he will also be a lot tighter in his conditions, so follow your money. On top. COOL AS BLING (13) was a promising juvenile who ended that season with a second at stakes level here in early May. He has won a recent trial, so has gone the right way over his break, and he can take this out, especially with a handy 3kg claim. SHEZA PROFESSIONAL (15) was a beaten favourite on debut at Timaru nearly 3 weeks ago, but was only a length of the winner in third place. She will relish more ground, and can make amends in this. ELEVATE (16) cops a bad gate for his return off a long spell, and any market confidence would be worth following. NAMELESS (6) finished close up in some good fields as a 3YO, and has since joined the in-form Meg Cunneen stable. Include in all top 4 combos. SUGGESTED PLAY: Nameless each way.
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| 1 | 324x4 |
BELLISH BOY
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 4YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG INSPIRE RACING BELLISH BOY SYNDICATE (MGR: MATTHEW CORBAN) Second run back. First-up after six months 4th of 13 at this track on August 29 over 1200m, on a wet track; 2.5 len behind Recital carrying 58.5kg at $2.30. Previously second-up 6th of 10 in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Tauranga on January 2 over 1400m, slow going 4 len behind Lunaman carrying 57.5kg at $5.30. Fitter and is expected to do much better. |
12 KYLE WILSON-TAYLOR |
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| 2 | 426x2 |
KNIGHT GURU
SANDY CUNNINGHAM 4YO BROWN GELDING 58.0KG SANDY CUNNINGHAM & HELEN PARISH Second-up. Comes off a 37-day let-up. First-up after four months 2nd of 8 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on August 20 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Cool In Command carrying 58.5kg at $4.90. Previously second-up 11th of 16 at this track on February 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 11 len behind Zahtar carrying 58kg at $31.40. Sure to run well. |
9 Y ATCHAMAH |
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| 3 | 0x3 |
HADLOW
BRUCE TAPPER 4YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG CLEARVIEW PARK LTD, CAMERON & JORDAN SCOTT Third race start. First start ran second last of 14 at Ashburton on December 24 over 1200m, on a slow track; 13 len behind Moon Goddess with 57.5kg at $60.10. Returned from break 3rd of 10 at Phar Lap Racecourse on September 6 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Champagne Wishes with 56.5kg at $24. Capable of building on that performance and he looks one of the top 4 chances. |
18 OHARA NAJIB |
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| 4 | 3 |
STARVINOS
NAYTON MITCHELL 6YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG C B MCLEAN Jumped at big odds at debut, 3rd of 8 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on September 10 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Stortford Lodge carrying 55.5kg at $30.50. Should be competitive again. |
13 SIMA MXOTHWA |
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| 5 | 73475 |
RUFUS
MALCOLM PRICE 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 58.0KG B BAILEY, K J & D C CONDON, C MOIR, M L & G PRICE Last start 5th of 8 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on September 10 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Stortford Lodge carrying 58.5kg at $20.10. The start before that ran second last of 8 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on August 26 over 2200m, 16 len behind Kessey carrying 58.5kg at $9.50. Tested again. |
4 BRETT MURRAY |
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| 6 | 9556x |
NAMELESS
MEG CUNNEEN 4YO BAY MARE 56.0KG COLIN WIGHTMAN Resuming after a spell of five months. Finished off last preparation sixth of 12 at this track in the LR Warstep Stakes April 25 over 2000m, soft track; 6 len behind Perlino with 56.5kg at $42.10. First up last campaign seventh of 10 at Kurow December 30 over 1400m, soft track; 6 len behind Pure Jewel with 54kg at $4.80. Expect something better fresh up. |
8 T R MOSELEY |
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| 7 | 63x47 |
COCOMORA
ANNA FURLONG 4YO BAY MARE 56.0KG D W & J C ALLEN, MRS N A & S W BARRON, P J BLACKTOPP, W K BUSH, C A COLEMAN, EXCUSE FOR BREAKFAST SYNDICATE, D GRANT, D H F GREEN, A J HICKMAN, S J KENNEDY, KOTUKU INVESTMENTS LTD, C A LEISHMAN, A MATHIESON, G E & MRS J MORRIS, R MO'UNGA, J O'DEA, OUT OF BOUNDS SPORT CLUB, J RABBETTE, J REARDON & B A ROBERTS Third-up today. First-up settled back and ran on when 4th of 7 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on August 20 over 1400m, 2 len behind Hold'em Ransom with 56.5kg at $1.50. Second-up sat behind the speed prior to fading ran second last of 8 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on August 26 over 1600m, 8 len behind Zambrosia with 56.5kg at $5.20. Well placed. Capable of sharp improvement. |
5 JACK TAPLIN |
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| 8 | 9x577 |
ICELAND POPPY
KENNY MOORE 5YO BAY MARE 56.0KG I D CHRISP & K J MOORE Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 5th of 10 at Phar Lap Racecourse on September 6 over 1200m, slow going 5 len behind Champagne Wishes with 56.5kg at $4. Last start 7th of 13 at this track on September 12 over 1200m, on a wet track; 4 len behind Go Thea carrying 56.5kg at $19.50. This line-up might test her. |
16 M HUDSON |
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| 9 | 600x4 |
HER GRACE
ROBYN AYTON 5YO BAY MARE 56.0KG L DEKKER, K ESTREICH, D LUFF, G LUFF, B HETRICK, R JAMIESON, H COWAN & P AYTON Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 13 at this track on September 12 over 1200m, in the wet; 1.2 len behind Go Thea carrying 56.5kg at $23.10. Previously second-up ran second last of 13 at Ellerslie on April 27 over 1400m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Durrani with 55.5kg at $55.30. Looking to others. |
19 |
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| 10 | 00388 |
COOL CAT
KENNY MOORE 5YO GREY MARE 56.0KG K MOORE & I D CHRISP At the latest run 8th of 12 at Phar Lap Racecourse on September 6 over 1600m, slow going 10 len behind Sailor Sam carrying 56.5kg at $6. Before that 8th of 13 at this track on August 29 over 1200m, on a wet track; 6 len behind Recital with 56.5kg at $10.80. Has been racing well. Has some rough claims. |
20 L DOUGLAS |
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| 11 | 07593 |
THE PEONY XPRESS
SARAH DRING 8YO BAY MARE 56.0KG MS F BARCHAM Last start ran second last of 10 at Phar Lap Racecourse on September 6 over 2200m, on a slow track; 35 len behind Strong carrying 54.5kg at $21.60. The run before that faded in the straight 5th of 8 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on August 26 over 2200m, 4 len behind Kessey carrying 56.5kg at $10.80. Not going well enough. Hard to make a case. |
14 BRIDGET GRYLLS |
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| 12 | 9 |
SHAPESHIFTER
NICHOLAS WIGLEY & KAYLA MILNES 4YO CHESTNUT MARE 56.0KG G & B WIGLEY At debut, 9th of 13 at this track on September 12 over 1200m, on heavy track; 5 len behind Go Thea with 56.5kg at $10.10. Looking to others. |
2 |
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| 13 | 62x2x |
COOL AS BLING
DAVID WALSH 3YO BAY COLT 56.0KG IAN HOLLOWAY Back from a spell. Only had one start last preparation came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 in the LR CJC Champagne Stakes at this track on May 2 over 1200m, slow going 0.9 len behind Zafar carrying 57kg at $19.40. First up last campaign ran second last of 7 at this track on January 24 over 800m, in the wet; 10 len behind Miss Twinkle with 57kg at $2.90. Won an Ashburton trial over 1000m on September 15. Everything points to a positive return. |
6 TOM WIGRAM |
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| 14 | 629 |
PURE STORY
JOHN BLACKADDER 3YO BAY FILLY 54.0KG P STEPHENSON, P BLACKTOPP & J & S BLACKADDER Last start 9th of 14 in the LR Canterbury Belle Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1200m, on a wet track; 7 len behind Sweetest Thing with 56.5kg at $153.60. The race before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on August 26 over 1400m, 0.4 len behind Call To Arms carrying 54kg at $55.50. Thereabouts but would need to show further improvement. |
15 KENDRA BAKKER |
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| 15 | 3 |
SHEZA PROFESSIONAL
TERRI RAE 3YO BROWN FILLY 54.0KG P H GRIEVE & D P W GRIEVE Was well-supported at debut, 3rd of 7 at Phar Lap Racecourse on September 6 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Citala carrying 54kg at $2.60. Rates highly and can go on with it. |
10 L T HEMI |
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| 16 | 0x57x |
ELEVATE
BRIAN & SHANE ANDERTON 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 58.0KG B J ANDERTON ONZM & EST LATE L E ANDERTON Resumes. Finished off last campaign seventh of 10 at Wingatui November 4 over 1600m, 8 len behind Quisiera carrying 58.5kg at $41.10. First up last campaign fifth of 8 at Wingatui October 17 over 1500m, in the wet; 9 len behind Yoo Hoo Joy with 58.5kg at $23.20. Sure to be ready to run well. |
17 C A CAMPBELL |
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| 17 | 8 |
STELLENBOSCH
MIKE MCCANN 4YO CHESTNUT MARE 56.0KG M & K MCCANN, B & L JEFFERIES, P BLACKTOPP, WE'VE GOT THE TROTS SYND, V CROFTS, A NEWMANN, A ROBIN, A ALDRIDGE, J & A DE VRIES, K & M KALNINS, M SMITH, M DE VRIES, R CARMICHAEL, C GRIGGS & L BRENNAN Was at big odds at debut, ran last of 8 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on September 10 over 1400m, 10 len behind Stortford Lodge carrying 56.5kg at $44.60. Others look better prospects. |
3 ROUSHAN KHAN |
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| 18 | 050x0 |
QUERIDA
KEZIA MURPHY 5YO BAY MARE 56.0KG KEZIA MURPHY, LISA PATTERSON, WAYNE KERR, ANNETTE CURREY Second run back. First-up after five months 11th of 13 at this track on September 12 over 1200m, in the wet; 6 len behind Go Thea with 54.5kg at $75.20. Previously second-up 11th of 14 at Ashburton on April 2 over 1400m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Graffiti Artist with 54.5kg at $24.10. Not keen. |
11 |
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| 19 | x00x6 |
BENJI'S BOY
MICHAEL & MATTHEW PITMAN 7YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG MRS D PITMAN Second run back. First-up after nearly two years 6th of 13 at this track on August 29 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 4 len behind Recital carrying 56.5kg at $51.90. Previously second-up 11th of 14 at Phar Lap Racecourse on November 21 2024 over 1600m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Gatzby carrying 58.5kg at $37.60. Faces tough task. |
21 |
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| 20 | 74089 |
IMPERIAL THINKER
LEN & LACY STEWART 4YO BLACK GELDING 58.0KG L STEWART, N MITCHELL & N SMITH Last start 9th of 12 at Phar Lap Racecourse on September 6 over 1600m, on a slow track; 14 len behind Sailor Sam with 58.5kg at $31.60. Before that raced behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 8 at Oamaru on August 14 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 9 len behind Sebastiano carrying 58.5kg at $6.60. Well held last time and looks tested. |
1 |
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| 21 |
HEAVENLY ROSE
DANNY FRYE 3YO BAY FILLY 54.0KG COLIN WIGHTMAN, JULIE DOUGLAS & DANNY FRYE Dual acceptor. Three-year-old filly (Echoes Of Heaven - Rosa Stellata) has trialled on four occasions leading into today's race. Was third in an Ashburton barrier trial over 1200m on September 15. Looks tested this line-up. |
7 |
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