Local trainer Lance Robinson holds a strong hand heading into Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday, and he is hopeful he can snare a couple of winners cheques on the nine-race card.

Delphillius was a last start winner on the track and Robinson is hopeful the daughter of Rageese can put in a repeat performance in the Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 22 June Rating 65 (1200m).

“She really enjoys the synthetic,” Robinson said. “She has drawn wide (16) but has got a lot of speed, so she will roll forward and hopefully she can drop in somewhere. She steps up a little bit in grade, but she won well in her last start, so we are hoping.”

Stablemates Soul Destroyer and Pearl Opulence both take last start runner-up performances into their respective races, and Robinson believes they can go one better on Wednesday.

“Soul Destroyer ran really well the other day in a three-year-old race, we were really pleased with that run. He is back to maiden company, and he should run really well,” Robinson said.

“Pearl Opulence is one of those mares that hasn’t had a lot of luck in quite a few of her runs. She will be running home strong. She doesn’t mind it (polytrack), she has always raced pretty well on it. She has a good draw (2) and should run well.”

Robinson is also upbeat about the chances of Boot It Scooter in the Betavet Rating 65 (1600m), In Awe and Anneliese in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65 (1600m), and Fire Away in the Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap Maiden (1200m)

“Boot It Scooter hasn’t had a lot of luck lately but has got a better draw (6) this week,” Robinson said. “Fire Away is having her first run for us and she is a nice filly by Shalaa. She won a trial and she has got a nice draw (7), hopefully she will run well. In Awe is back to 65 rating with a claim, so I expect him to run really well, his work has been really good.”

Meanwhile, Robinson went to the Ashburton trials on Tuesday with four horses and was delighted to pick up three wins.

Juveniles Alleato and Zoo Beer won their respective 800m heats, while Elusive Impact took out his 1000m heat.

“We had four nice horses who all ran well,” Robinson said.

“We had two nice two-year-olds who were having their first trials and they went really well and won their heats. We will just get them home and see how they are in the next week or so and then make a plan for them.

“We had a nice Impending maidener (Elusive Impact) who trialled up really well and won his heat as well.

“Waihora Mist was fresh-up in an Open 1200m heat. She ran well, I am really pleased with her. She is just getting ready for winter racing. She has come up really well this year, so I expect her to do a good job.”