Riccarton 25 Apr 2026
GOING: S(6)
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COCA-COLA CANTERBURY GOLD CUP 2000m Track: HEAVY 8 True |
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From the inside gate Riviera Rebel has the dash to be in the leading division, with Vamos and Opawa Jack applying plenty of pressure. SMOOTH OPERATOR (7) made the most of a perfect run from just off the pace to score a comfortable win as the favourite at Riverton last time out, 3 weeks ago. He cops an extra 4kg for that victory, but from a good gate, he will go close to repeating the dose. WHAT YOU WISH FOR (5) tried hard when finishing a game fifth in the Awapuni Gold Cup at Trentham 4 weeks ago. He loves a wet track and has not missed a cheque in 3 starts over this trip, including 2 wins. Stick with him. SIR ALBERT (1) ran a much better race for second here a fortnight ago over 1600m, dashing home late to be beaten by a head. He won't want the track to be too wet, and he can run another honest race here. OPAWA JACK (2) has been racing well in the Central Districts, and if he can bring that sort of form in this, then he is a must for all combinations. RIVIERA REBEL (6) dug deep for second behind the top pick last time out. He has the right draw to take up the lead here, and he can go one better. SUGGESTED PLAY: Opawa Jack and Riviera Rebel at each-way value.
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| 1 | 28202 |
SIR ALBERT
TERRI RAE 6YO BROWN GELDING 59.0KG M J CHITTICK, L DUNGEY, C A FISCHER, D H HERBERT, P D & MRS P M MCBREEN, S W MCLEISH, MRS H RAE, T RAE, C RICHARDS, R RICHARDS & EST LATE S G TOOLEY Last start 2nd of 17 at this track on April 11 over 1600m, slow going 0.3 len behind Toa Haka with 59kg at $7.10. Before that ran last of 11 at Ashburton on April 2 over 1300m, slow going 7 len behind Toa Haka carrying 62kg at $5.90. Expected to feature. |
8 L T HEMI |
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| 2 | 71424 |
OPAWA JACK
CHRISSY BAMBRY 6YO BROWN GELDING 59.0KG C BAMBRY, A LACY, R WALES, G CAVANAGH, J HEALE & J BAMBRY Form hard to fault. Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 14 at Otaki in the LR Hawke's Bay Cup on April 11 over 2200m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Crouch carrying 58kg at $14.20. Before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 16 at Trentham in the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup on March 28 over 2100m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind He's A Doozy carrying 55kg at $46.70. Expected to measure up. |
9 K R HERCOCK |
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| 3 | 26520 |
CAPO DELL IMPERO
BRIAN & SHANE ANDERTON 8YO BROWN GELDING 59.0KG MRS J R SMITH, MS V A SMITH, MR P J DYER, MR C E MOREL, MS M E SARNEY, MRS M J HANDISIDES & MRS N MAGUIRE Last start 10th of 14 at Riverton on April 4 over 2147m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Smooth Operator with 60kg at $13.40. The run before that 2nd of 16 at Wingatui in the LR Dunedin Gold Cup on February 28 over 2400m, slow going 1.75 len behind Noble Knight carrying 55.5kg at $22.90. Hard to fault if at his best. |
14 C A CAMPBELL |
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| 4 | 80389 |
MATSCOT
SHARON ROBERTSON AND ALAN REEVES 8YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG ROSS FALLOON, SHARON ROBERTSON & ALAN REEVES Last start 9th of 17 at this track on April 11 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Toa Haka with 58kg at $24.70. The run before that eased back early on 8th of 13 at this track on March 21 over 1800m, 2.75 len behind Royal Valour with 59.5kg at $8.80. Worth following up. |
5 TRISTON MOODLEY |
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| 5 | 81225 |
WHAT YOU WISH FOR
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 5YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG TE AKAU WISH & WIN RACING PARTNERSHIP (MGR: KARYN FENTON-ELLIS MNZM) At the latest run 5th of 16 at Trentham in the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup on March 28 over 2100m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind He's A Doozy with 55.5kg at $8. The run before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 7 at Trentham on March 21 over 1600m, slow going 0.4 len behind Who Knows with 60kg at $3.80. Suited here and must follow up. |
13 BRUNO QUEIROZ |
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| 6 | 85002 |
RIVIERA REBEL
GRAHAM EADE & BROOKE KINCAID 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 59.0KG P D JEFFREYS, G K EADE, P A EADE Last start 2nd of 14 at Riverton on April 4 over 2147m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Smooth Operator with 57.5kg at $10. Before that raced on the pace before fading 11th of 13 at this track on March 21 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Royal Valour with 59kg at $14.20. Has the ability and is among the leading chances. |
1 K MUDHOO |
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| 7 | 65151 |
SMOOTH OPERATOR
STEPHANIE FAULKNER 6YO BROWN GELDING 59.0KG BARRY AVIS, M VLASIC, R DAWKINS, P FAULKNER, K WALSH, D FERGUSON, M DIJKSTRA & S TWEEDIE At the latest run favourite; won by 0.9 len at Riverton April 4 over 2147m in soft going defeating Riviera Rebel with 55kg at $3.60. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 16 at Wingatui in the LR Dunedin Gold Cup on February 28 over 2400m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Noble Knight with 53kg at $3.30. Well placed to go back-to-back. |
2 TINA COMIGNAGHI |
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| 8 | 30735 |
MASTER MARKO
KELVIN TYLER 7YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG K L & V TYLER Last start 5th of 8 at Riverton on April 6 over 1400m, slow going 4 len behind Rochello with 54kg at $9.80. The start before that raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 7 at Wingatui on March 27 over 1400m, slow going 1.1 len behind Megalomaniac carrying 57.5kg at $4.60. Others seem to have his measure. |
6 AMBER RIDDELL |
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| 9 | 44471 |
ROYAL VALOUR
BEVAN & ROBYN WILSON 6YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG B W & MRS R A WILSON Comes off a 35 day let-up. Last start won by a 0.0 len at this track March 21 over 1800m defeating Bauble with 53kg at $17.90. Before that 7th of 10 at Ashburton on February 20 over 1400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Contemplation Bay carrying 54kg at $8.70. One of the contenders. |
3 HAYLEY HASSMAN |
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| 10 | 00x66 |
VAMOS
KELVIN TYLER 6YO BROWN GELDING 59.0KG DARREN TAYLOR, JENNY CHEEVERS & KIA CAR HA SYNDICATE Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 6th of 12 at Riverton on March 8 over 2000m, on a wet track; 7 len behind Sight To See carrying 57kg at $8.20. Second run from a spell 6th of 14 at Riverton on April 4 over 2147m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Smooth Operator carrying 53kg at $23.10. Meets a tough line-up and prefer others. |
11 FLOOR MOERMAN |
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| 11 | x7724 |
BAUBLE
BRIAN & SHANE ANDERTON 7YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG B J ANDERTON ONZM & EST LATE L E ANDERTON Racing well recently. Last start 4th of 14 at Riverton on April 4 over 2147m, on a slow track; 2.75 len behind Smooth Operator with 55kg at $10.40. The run before that raced on the pace when 2nd of 13 at this track on March 21 over 1800m, 0.0 len behind Royal Valour carrying 54.5kg at $7.40. Worth following up. |
10 COURTNEY BARNES |
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| 12 | 45668 |
EARS BACK
JOHN BLACKADDER 7YO CHESTNUT MARE 57.0KG J C & S BLACKADDER, P J BLACKTOPP, TOO GOOD PARTNERSHIP & COLIN WIGHTMAN Comes here off a 35-day let-up. Most recently 8th of 15 at this track in the G3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes on March 21 over 1600m, 5 len behind Inflamed carrying 56kg at $37.90. The start before that 6th of 16 at Wingatui in the G3 White Robe Lodge Hcp on February 28 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Cluedo Lane with 57kg at $29.30. Will need to lift. |
12 M HUDSON |
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| 13 | 20873 |
BETTY SPAGHETTI
ANNA FURLONG 6YO BAY MARE 57.0KG R C DENNIS, B, J & J FODIE, H ROBINSON, GARY POPHAM, TOM DIXON, BOTTING FAMILY, BARRON FAMILY, ROBBIES BETTY SYNDICATE, CS & PS SYNDICATE, LUCKY JACK SYNDICATE, RACKERS SYNDICATE & STABLE INVESTMENTS SYNDICATE Most recently 3rd of 17 at this track on April 11 over 1600m, slow going long-neck behind Toa Haka with 53.5kg at $12.90. The start before that 7th of 15 at this track in the G3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes on March 21 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Inflamed with 55kg at $12.10. Impressed last start. Major player on best form. |
4 DONOVAN COOPER |
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| 14 | 11400 |
LOOSE SALLY
SHANKAR MUNIANDY 4YO BAY MARE 57.0KG R CHALKLIN At the latest run 12th of 17 at this track on April 11 over 1600m, slow going 4 len behind Toa Haka carrying 53.5kg at $10.30. The race before that got back early 10th of 15 at this track in the G3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes on March 21 over 1600m, 5.5 len behind Inflamed carrying 55kg at $5.60. Looks tested again. |
7 MS K WILLIAMS |
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