| What | Riccarton Races |
| Where | Riccarton Racecourse – 165 Racecourse Rd, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| When | Saturday, April 15, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:05pm NZST |
|
Visit Ladbrokes |
|
Saturday’s meeting in the South Island of New Zealand is being held at Riccarton, where the Easter Cup over the mile headlines a nine-part card. The first race begins at 12:05pm (NZST) and the track is rated as Soft, and with the likelihood of rain on Friday the surface is not expected to improve.
Best Bet at Riccarton – Luella Cristina
The co-feature of the day is the Airfright Stakes for three-year-old fillies, which has drawn a small but select field where Luella Cristina stands out. She is out of the grand mare Lucia Valentina and seems to have inherited some of her dam’s ability. She flew home for third in the Group 1 Levin Classic at Trentham last time out and was probably in the worst part of the track, so to finish as close as she did was very encouraging. This line-up is nowhere near as hard, and if Cameron Lammas can work her away from the fence in due course, then once she gets out to the crown of the track she should just have too much on these.
Best Bet
Race 6 – 
#1 Luella Cristina (1)
3yo Filly | T: Stephen Marsh | J: Cameron Lammas (56.5kg)
$3 with Bet365
Next Best at Riccarton – Conor O’Ceirin
Conor O’Ceirin has been racing in Group company over the recent Trentham Cup carnival and put in a huge race for third in the Anniversary two starts back, before not being beaten far in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile last time out. He is dropping back from the mile but does have winning form over 1200m. He has also won twice fresh in the past and should be suited by the smaller field here. If Courtney Barnes can keep him in touch early and then draw him wide around the dog leg bend, he is capable of powering past his opposition.
Next Best
Race 2 – 
#2 Conor O’Ceirin (6)
6yo Gelding | T: Robbie Patterson | J: Courtney Barnes (57.5kg)
$3 with Ladbrokes
Next Best Again at Riccarton – Mia Sorella
Mia Sorella could offer some value coming off a freshen-up since finishing fourth here on a Good track back in February. She seems much more at home on a softer surface at this stage of her career and will get conditions to suit on Saturday. She made it two wins in a row prior to her last start when showing a good turn of foot at the top of the straight and winning quite easily. She was again game last time out but did have to do a fair bit of work in the running. There are a couple of handy types lining up in this field but she should get a suitable run from her handy draw, and if the gaps come her way, then she could have the last say. Her jockey Kylie Williams is in great touch at the moment and will give her every chance.
Next Best Again
Race 3 – 
#5 Mia Sorella (2)
4yo Mare | T: Anne Herbert | J: Kylie Williams (56.5kg)
$4.80 with Palmerbet
Saturday quaddie picks for Riccarton
Riccarton quadrella selections
Saturday, April 15, 2023
- 1
- 4-6-8-10-11
- 2-3
- 7-8-10
Investment: $30 for 100%
More horse racing tips
