GallopSouth

Riverton RC - Preview - 7th April 2012

The 126th running of the Riverton Cup will be keenly contested among the 16 entrants on Saturday. The likely favourites for the $60,000 event will carry the top weights; Danz A Rook (Shankar) has won six of his nine starts on this course for Val Christophers. Shane Hapete's Jaffa Jack (D Nolan) won the Hororata Cup at Riccarton last start. Skirmish disappointed behind Jaffa Jack but ran second in his three starts prior in the north for Adrian Bull. Amigo (Doherty) is up in grade after winning two of his last three for local trainer Graham Eade. The Boys (Direen) is also up in class after some good form for Shane Anderton. 

O'Cartier (Direen) is likely to carry the top weight to victory in the Open Class 1200m, the John Parsons trained 8yo has won 16 races and was only beat by three lengths in the Telegraph in January. Hill Of Gold (Johnson) won both of his races here last Easter for Pitman, while stablemates Our Genes (Denby) and Sub Prime (Moore) are also capable of paying a dividend. Infallible(Mosely/Henderson) and The Jester (Msbah/Dennis) are other serious contenders.

The Gallop South Derby for 3 & 4yo's deserves to be won by Santos (Bullard) who has produced some top efforts in both Islands this year for the Parsons team. The Glitzy One (Misbah) has been impressing in good company for Steve Anderton, while Aluminium Bikerack (Johnson) is a definate trifecta chance for Mike Pitman.

Not much separates the top five in the book in the Fillies and Mares will race for $25,000 over 1400m. Pitman's mare Treat is perhaps in the best form with three wins in her last four starts. Pitman also has Miss Maximus lining up and her chances would improve with a soft track. Astralight (Lui) has been racing strongly without luck recently for Sophie Price, and Petty Lane (Callaway) has been going solid races in top company last month. The other major player is Posh Bec (Robinson) who won easily at Ascot last start for Les Didham.

The R75 1200m is a good betting race with plenty of in-form runners. On The Take (Misbah) is resuming after winning three races before Christmas for Jo-Anne Dalton. Xcelme (Mosely) has the talent to move past this grade for Ross Beckett, along with Pitmans duo Conscious Mistake (Bullard) and Remembrance (Johnson).

Emily Trimble (Walsh) is the leading contender in the 2yo 1100m for Noel Graham.

1. Emily Trimbole
2. Mind Reader
3. On The Take
4. O'Cartier
5. Schockemole
6. Astralight
7. Danz A Rook
8. Santos
9. The Choice