Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New Zealand · Friday 24 April 2026
Our top pick won 3 of 7 races at Otaki. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Prime inside barrier 1 suits Otaki's key bias. Solid heavy record (6:1-2-0), recent 1400m 2nd, and Otaki experience (2:0-1-0) make strong case despite 57kg topweight. Consistent performer with 42% place rate; moderate-fast tempo favours forward position.
Barrier 4, light 55kg, and Hashizume (33% combo) strong on Heavy 8. Improving trend, good weight relief; Otaki volatility suits lightly-raced improvers. Solid top-3 chance despite class jump.
Ruby Rush tops form assessment on Heavy 8 at volatile Otaki. 50% place rate, improving trend, advantageous barrier 5, and Doyle booking outweigh class rise.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Country Salon | 1 | Elen Nicholas | G H Sharrock | 57kg | $2.40 |
| 2nd | 7 | Emma Twigg | 7 | Craig Grylls | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 55kg | $4.20 |
| 3rd | 5 | Fantabulous | 3 | Lily Sutherland | K T Myers | 56kg | $6.00 |
| 4th | 6 | Al Azhar | 4 | Masahiro Hashizume | L O''sullivan & A Scott | 55kg | $2.90 |
| 5th | 8 | Awesome Story | 8 | Bruno Queiroz | B R Lammas | 54kg | $26.50 |
| Scr | 2 | Landlock | 2 | Samantha Collett | K A Pertab | 57kg | |
| Scr | 3 | Ruby Rush | 5 | Joe Doyle | L O''sullivan & A Scott | 56kg | |
| Scr | 4 | Shameless Star | 6 | Peter & Trent Didham | 56kg |
Barrier 1 perfect for Otaki, light weight suits heavy conditions. Recent form strong despite no win, Collett booking adds intent. Clear top pick despite heavy track query.
Strong recent 1600m form including 3rd on soft at Trentham 54 days ago. Second up sharpens fitness, barrier 6 midfield map suits moderate tempo. Solid each-way chance behind Teresa Mac in volatile maiden.
Barrier 4 key positive for Otaki Friday racing. Recent 4th on Heavy 8 at Hawera shows wet suitability, super fit after 7 days. Lacks wins but consistent enough in maiden company. Place hope if leaders control moderate tempo.
Recent 3rd on Heavy 8 over 1600m proves suitability, light 56kg big help on bottomless Otaki. Only 3 starts with 2 placings shows promise. Barrier 8 workable, recent prizemoney indicates progress.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Atavus | 6 | George Rooke | K A Pertab | 58.5kg | $3.20 |
| 2nd | 6 | Porotene Tiger | 10 | Amber Riddell | G H Sharrock | 57kg | $25.10 |
| 3rd | 5 | Loose Enz | 7 | Joe Doyle | Ms S P Mynott | 58kg | $7.90 |
| 4th | 12 | Djibouti | 8 | Craig Grylls | K A Pertab | 56kg | $9.60 |
| 5th | 3 | Chibrah | 4 | Kavish Chowdhoory | Ms D M Harris | 58.5kg | $15.20 |
| 5th | 9 | Teresa Mac | 1 | Samantha Collett | Ms I Kelly | 56.5kg | $2.70 |
| 7th | 10 | Zeddiani | 5 | Rohan Mudhoo | G S Andrew | 56.5kg | $60.30 |
| 8th | 8 | Kyanite Man | 3 | Lily Sutherland | K T Myers | 58kg | $8.30 |
| 9th | 11 | Basslock | 9 | Chris Dell | M K Oulaghan | 56.5kg | $84.10 |
| 10th | 4 | Al Passo | 2 | Toni Davies | M P Breslin | 56.5kg | $41.60 |
| Scr | 1 | Sweysmart | 11 | K A Pertab | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Satono Star | 9 | Craig Grylls | K A Pertab | 58kg |
Cremant stands out on pure form with a prior win at Otaki over 1200m (soft), ideal barrier 1 suiting heavy track inside preference, and significant class drop from Open handicaps. Light 55kg weight is perfect for conditions. First up but trainer Latta prepares well fresh.
Mr Marigold's heavy track affinity (5:1-3-0) is key on Heavy 8, with barrier 5 ideal for Otaki. Recent BM65 win shows class, distance record solid at 1200m.
He's Lucid brings proven heavy form (6:1-1-3) and recent strong Otaki placing in higher grade BM75 on heavy. Class drop huge positive, trainer Myers reliable.
Class drop helps, light weight suits conditions.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | Cremant | 1 | Amber Riddell | Ms L Latta | 55kg | $10.50 |
| 2nd | 4 | Bella''s Boy | 7 | Courtney Barnes | R R Manning | 58kg | $4.40 |
| 3rd | 3 | Mr Marigold | 5 | Mereana Hudson | Ms O Duffy | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 4th | 5 | Chahoo | 8 | George Rooke | Darryn & Briar Weatherley | 58kg | $12.90 |
| 5th | 7 | Foxglove | 3 | Joe Doyle | L O''sullivan & A Scott | 57kg | $5.40 |
| 6th | 1 | He''s Lucid | 9 | Floor Moerman | K T Myers | 61kg | $6.30 |
| 7th | 11 | Luminance | 10 | Leah Hemi | K A Pertab | 55kg | $6.10 |
| 8th | 12 | Gurtlyn | 2 | Lily Sutherland | A C Baker | 54kg | $20.60 |
| 9th | 2 | Bernardo | 11 | Sarah O''Malley | K T Myers | 59kg | $18.40 |
| Scr | 6 | Atkins | 12 | Samantha Collett | K A Pertab | 57kg | |
| Scr | 8 | Emma Twigg | 6 | Craig Grylls | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 56.5kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Party Time | 4 | Samantha Collett | K A Pertab | 56.5kg |
Donnybrook stands out on Heavy 8 at volatile Otaki with exceptional heavy record (4-1-0 from 11) and perfect inside barrier 2. Recent runs show fitness on wet tracks including near-miss 2nd on heavy 2100m. Moderate tempo and rail out 5m favour forward runners like this likely leader.
Proboy ticks heavy track boxes with recent Wanganui heavy win carrying 56kg over 2040m, matching today's setup. Barrier 3 perfect for Otaki inside preference, high place rate (44%) and consistent form trend. Pairs well with stablemate Donnybrook; Samantha Collett booking adds intent. Solid each-way despite class rise in low-structure race.
Comedy proven heavy stayer with 2 wins/9 heavies including 2100m success, second-up stats solid (1-0-2). Recent Waverley trial sharpens fitness post-spell. Moderate tempo suits; light weight advantage on Heavy 8.
Value roughy So Call Me with phenomenal heavy stats (5 wins/30 starts) and ideal barrier 4/light 52kg on Heavy 8 Otaki. First-up record includes win/place; long spell but wet expertise trumps fitness concerns in high-variance race.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Donnybrook | 2 | George Rooke | M P Breslin | 57kg | $5.00 |
| 2nd | 5 | Proboy | 3 | Samantha Collett | K A Pertab | 56kg | $2.10 |
| 3rd | 7 | So Call Me | 4 | Floor Moerman | K T Myers | 52kg | $13.70 |
| 4th | 2 | The Underbelly | 1 | Craig Grylls | K A Pertab | 60kg | $6.10 |
| 5th | 3 | Comedy | 5 | Liam Kauri | H E Wilson | 55.5kg | $9.40 |
| 6th | 6 | Highly Lethal | 6 | K R Hercock | B C Mcdermott | 54kg | $5.60 |
| Scr | 1 | Taimate Diva | 5 | Andrew Carston | 60kg |
Distance specialist with 25% place rate, improving trend post-spell, elite jockey-trainer combo. Heavy track unproven but soft form solid (7:0-1-0). Inside-mid draw suits moderate-slow tempo. Best pure form in open BM65.
Barrier 1 huge edge on volatile Otaki Friday heavy track (inside 1-5 priority). Recent form excellent: 2nd BM65 2040m, win prior. Consistent last three starts, light weight suits. Can lead or sit handy in slow tempo.
Barrier 2 perfect for Otaki's inside bias on heavy (prioritise 1-5), recent 3rd in Heavy 2100m, two heavy places from 2 starts. Light weight advantage in compressed scale, Doyle upgrades intent. Moderate-slow tempo suits forward run from gate. Strong overlay vs assessed chance.
Proven heavy tracker with 1 win from 5, significant class drop to BM65 where experienced (30 starts). Recent 4th at 2040m solid, barrier 6 workable. Latta/Riddell combo reliable.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Indian Pacific | 10 | Amber Riddell | G J Haigh | 58kg | $9.70 |
| 2nd | 3 | Early One''s | 5 | Elen Nicholas | H W Mathews | 57.5kg | $4.80 |
| 3rd | 6 | Platinum Tyche | 8 | Bruno Queiroz | Ms L Latta | 58kg | $3.00 |
| 4th | 7 | Maryrose | 1 | Courtney Barnes | G S Andrew | 57kg | $10.10 |
| 5th | 5 | Malibu | 3 | K R Hercock | Joshua Shaw | 58.5kg | $15.20 |
| 6th | 8 | Dark And Dusty | 7 | Samantha Collett | S Nickalls | 57kg | $5.80 |
| 7th | 4 | Lantern Way | 6 | Jonathan Riddell | Ms L Latta | 58.5kg | $8.80 |
| 8th | 10 | Cleo''s Magic | 9 | Lily Sutherland | J Lavelle & S Rennie | 56kg | $10.40 |
| Scr | 2 | Brave Rebel | 11 | Floor Moerman | G H Sharrock | 56.5kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Hayworth | 4 | Chris Dell | Andrew Campbell | 56.5kg | |
| Scr | 11 | Ivy''s Dancer | 2 | Joe Doyle | L O''sullivan & A Scott | 55.5kg |
Inside draw critical at Otaki heavy8; light weight aids topweight scale. Class rise concern but black-type form and position outweigh; strong place chance in fast tempo.
Barrier 1 unbeatable on heavy Otaki with inside preference; high suitability and recent BM75 win show fitness. Improving pattern with 6 placings last 10; light weight helps. Lacks black-type depth but draw/form combo provides each-way value in volatile Listed.
Fast tempo and low weight enhance chances in Listed despite class rise. Recent form trajectory superior to rivals; primary win selection despite favouritism.
Barrier 3 suits, first-up record solid (1-0-1).
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 13 | Atmospheric | 1 | George Rooke | K A Pertab | 53kg | $3.60 |
| 2nd | 7 | Freddie Time | 11 | Amber Riddell | Kelvin Tyler | 54.5kg | $4.80 |
| 3rd | 5 | Enrico | 14 | Madan Singh | Ms I Kelly | 56.5kg | $20.70 |
| 4th | 8 | Bedtime Story | 10 | Samantha Collett | Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos | 54kg | $9.90 |
| 5th | 4 | Omega Boy | 2 | Toni Davies | Peter & Trent Didham | 57kg | $6.50 |
| 6th | 11 | Riverplate | 6 | Chris Dell | Andrew Campbell | 53kg | $11.40 |
| 7th | 9 | Kopua | 13 | Lily Sutherland | K T Myers | 53kg | $32.30 |
| 8th | 3 | Bradman | 12 | Bruno Queiroz | R J Bergerson | 57kg | $20.50 |
| 9th | 6 | The Scunner | 7 | Joe Doyle | A J Meadows | 56.5kg | $10.70 |
| 10th | 2 | Chase | 3 | K R Hercock | S Nickalls | 57.5kg | $43.40 |
| 11th | 10 | Benefactor | 8 | Masahiro Hashizume | Ms L Latta | 53kg | $26.20 |
| 12th | 1 | He''s A Doozy | 9 | Jonathan Riddell | Ms L Latta | 58.5kg | $14.20 |
| 13th | 14 | Trosettee | 4 | Sarah O''Malley | G N Nicholson | 53kg | $67.70 |
| Scr | 12 | Zantabulous | 5 | Craig Grylls | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 53kg |
Exit Left stands out on Heavy 8 at Otaki with proven wet track affinity (8:2-3-2 heavy), including recent win carrying 56.5kg on heavy8. Strong distance record (4:1-0-1 at 1400m), consistent form trend, and light weight advantage in compressed scale. Moderate-fast tempo and likely forward position suit. Inside-mid barrier viable despite Otaki Friday volatility.
Bundy excels on heavy (6:2-1-2), with recent BM65 win on heavy9 and Otaki place. Barrier 3 perfect for Otaki's inside preference on Heavy8. First up but heavy specialist profile and fitness from spell suit moderate-fast tempo. Light 55.5kg helps.
Solid distance history (10:2-3-0), improving trend, likely leader per map. Heavy record 2:0-1-1 acceptable.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Erbys Darci | 4 | Amber Riddell | G H Sharrock | 54.5kg | $10.30 |
| 2nd | 3 | Exit Left | 6 | Floor Moerman | S Thompson Brown & M Brown | 55kg | $2.70 |
| 3rd | 8 | Sperlari | 5 | Samantha Collett | K A Pertab | 54.5kg | $2.90 |
| 4th | 4 | Ka Ying Lucky | 1 | Bruno Queiroz | Ms S Gordon | 56kg | $13.00 |
| 5th | 6 | Bundy | 3 | Lily Sutherland | K T Myers | 55.5kg | $8.30 |
| 6th | 2 | Complex | 2 | Madan Singh | Ms I Kelly | 57.5kg | $7.70 |
| 7th | 7 | Itoje | 7 | Mereana Hudson | Ms I Kelly | 54.5kg | $15.10 |
| Scr | 1 | Old Bill Bone | 2 | Jack Taplin | K A Pertab | 57.5kg |
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