Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New Zealand · Friday 17 July 2026
Our top pick won 3 of 7 races at Awapuni Synthetic. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Wind Talker has shown clear course-and-distance form improvement, finishing 2nd by a nose last start at this same 2140m Awapuni Synthetic track. Weight is light and the synthetic surface suits her established pattern.
Luckytobehere was narrowly beaten in the same race type at this same 2140m Awapuni Synthetic circuit last start, and draws the rail today which is a genuine plus around these tight turns. Her form is trending the right way and the Gordon/Kauri combination has a good strike rate together, making her a leading each-way threat to Wind Talker.
Richard Farrell has been building nicely with placings in his last two starts at this same track, including a narrow 2nd. His synthetic record is the strongest in the race and he arrives fit off a 12-day break.
His fitness trend historically improves second-up, and it's plausible this run is used to sharpen him.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Wind Talker | 5 | Floor Moerman | M K Oulaghan | 54.5kg | $4.90 |
| 2nd | 8 | Where''s Ange | 4 | Elen Nicholas | Shaun Fannin & Hazel Fannin | 56.5kg | $6.60 |
| 3rd | 5 | Luckytobehere | 1 | Liam Kauri | Ms S Gordon | 54.5kg | $3.50 |
| 4th | 2 | Unusual Nugget | 3 | Jim Chung | F J Auret | 57.5kg | $2.60 |
| 5th | 4 | Written In Rock | 2 | Toni Davies | R G Allen | 57.5kg | $7.70 |
| 6th | 7 | Missu | 7 | Hyeontaek Oh | N J Quinn | 52.5kg | $21.90 |
| Scr | 1 | Richard Farrell | 6 | Ms S Gordon | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 3 | Carbon Credit | 8 | Leah Hemi | F P Campbell | 58.5kg |
The improving trend and proven affinity for Awapuni's tight turns make this the most reliable form-based selection, even with a moderate outside barrier.
Platinum Sixty Six was competitive in defeat last start behind Subtle Image at the same track and distance, and boasts a strong overall synthetic record. The ideal inside barrier plays to the track bias, and consistent placings suggest it remains capable of running another strong race, projecting as second-best on recent form.
Weneedashock has genuine claims based on solid underlying flat form at this track and distance, including a narrow defeat in similar grade. However, the recent switch to hurdles racing introduces uncertainty about its readiness for a genuine flat speed test today, tempering conviction despite the talent on show.
Street Appeal is flagged as value given her dominant last-start win at this same track and distance, plus a clear improving trajectory.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Subtle Image | 7 | Toni Davies | Peter & Trent Didham | 58kg | $3.00 |
| 2nd | 3 | Ruji | 4 | Liam Kauri | Ms S Gordon | 55.5kg | $6.40 |
| 3rd | 6 | Weneedashock | 3 | Elen Nicholas | Shaun Fannin & Hazel Fannin | 55kg | $3.80 |
| 4th | 2 | Platinum Sixty Six | 1 | Jonathan Riddell | Ms L Latta | 57.5kg | $5.10 |
| 5th | 5 | Thelongerulook | 9 | Jim Chung | B B Beatson | 54kg | $27.20 |
| 6th | 7 | Street Appeal | 5 | Kavish Chowdhoory | B E Newman | 54.5kg | $17.30 |
| 7th | 9 | Cry Baby | 8 | Amber Riddell | Ms D J Parry | 53kg | $24.10 |
| 8th | 8 | Jackaroo | 2 | Rohan Mudhoo | G S Andrew | 54kg | $19.60 |
| 9th | 4 | Vespacian | 6 | Floor Moerman | A J Dravitzki | 53kg | $16.30 |
Bee Precious is the standout on form, dropping from Bench.74 grade into today's Maiden after finishing narrowly beaten at this same track and trip.
Kodiac Bear has been building nicely, running an eye-catching second at this same track last start. The synthetic surface suits, and fitness/form are trending the right way. A winless jockey/trainer combination and a modestly wide barrier are the main concerns, but the raw form is strong enough to rate this the second-best chance.
Pinky Pie boasts the best synthetic surface form in the race with multiple placings from 7 starts on this footing type. Wide barrier is a genuine complication at a track that rewards forward, ground-saving runners, but the sheer experience and suitability to the surface make this filly a leading placegetting chance even without a win to her name.
Hard Rock Cafe steps out well overpriced given a genuine placegetting profile and a positive first-up record.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Bee Precious | 3 | Kavish Chowdhoory | B E Newman | 56.5kg | $1.20 |
| 2nd | 1 | Kodiac Bear | 6 | Toni Davies | Kevin & Stephen Gray | 57.5kg | $7.40 |
| 3rd | 9 | Justify That | 8 | Elen Nicholas | H W Mathews | 56.5kg | $26.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Hard Rock Cafe | 5 | Liam Kauri | G D Innes | 56.5kg | $31.00 |
| 5th | 3 | Backhand Serve | 7 | Jim Chung | F J Auret | 57.5kg | $8.80 |
| 6th | 5 | Cassius The Colt | 1 | Floor Moerman | M P Breslin | 56.5kg | $14.20 |
| 7th | 4 | All In Vain | 2 | Rohan Mudhoo | Kevin & Stephen Gray | 58.5kg | $48.60 |
| Scr | 7 | Full Time Lass | 4 | Hyeontaek Oh | Ms S Gordon | 52.5kg | |
| Scr | 8 | Pinky Pie | 9 | Ms S Gordon | 56.5kg |
Showbastian Coe has been knocking on the door with two narrow defeats at this exact track and distance in his last two starts, both in similar class. His synthetic record is outstanding (13:4-6-1) and he drops slightly in class today. Barrier 5 is workable at a track favouring forward, tactical runners. He looks the most reliable form horse in a moderate BM73 field.
Her first-up profile shows she goes well fresh without winning, and the class rise from Bench 65 is notable, but the physical toolkit (early speed, synthetic suitability) fits this race well.
Karryn is a progressive 3-year-old who won impressively at this same track and distance last start, showing early speed suited to Awapuni's tactical demands. The step up from Maiden to BM73 is considerable, but her upward trajectory and light weight make her interesting. Barrier 8 is a slight negative on a track that rewards ground-saving runners.
While her overall strike rate is modest, her form is trending well and the track suits her racing style.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Marotiri Marsta | 6 | Sarah Macnab | B R Lammas | 54kg | $12.70 |
| 2nd | 5 | Falcrests Belle | 2 | Leah Hemi | Ms N Hurdle | 54kg | $2.80 |
| 3rd | 1 | Showbastian Coe | 5 | Floor Moerman | M P Breslin | 59kg | $3.60 |
| 4th | 7 | So We Go | 3 | Rohan Mudhoo | Kevin & Stephen Gray | 54kg | $6.80 |
| 5th | 2 | Bodacious Kate | 7 | Elen Nicholas | A C Baker | 54kg | $11.50 |
| 6th | 4 | Shavasana | 1 | Amber Riddell | S Ramsay & J Ritchie | 53kg | $5.10 |
| 7th | 8 | Vanbrugh Belle | 4 | Jim Chung | Adam Scott | 53kg | $21.20 |
| Scr | 3 | Karryn | 8 | Toni Davies | Kevin & Stephen Gray | 53kg |
Richard Farrell presents the most credible form leading into this race, finishing runner-up and third in his past two starts at this identical 1700m Awapuni Synthetic circuit, both narrow margins. Class is stable and the improving trend is clear. Barrier 9 is a slight concern on a track with tight turns, but the demonstrated affinity for this exact track/distance combination makes him the standout form pick over less proven rivals.
Acorn has the second-best form case in this field, with a clear runner-up effort at this same 1700m Synthetic track last campaign and a strong overall synthetic record. Consistency over a long campaign suggests she is a reliable each-way threat, even without a win to her name. Expect her to be competitive again in similar company.
Button Ya Lip is a well-tried mare with legitimate placings in the past year and drops back to a synthetic surface where she has more experience than most. The inside barrier is a genuine positive at this circuit. Her most recent heavy-track effort was underwhelming, but the quick back-up and rail draw provide some encouragement for an improved showing.
Teemoo offers value as a class-dropper returning to maiden company after finding Bench.74 grade too tough, having previously shown genuine ability with several placings in weaker fields.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Steadfast | 7 | Floor Moerman | K T Myers | 56.5kg | $4.60 |
| 2nd | 6 | Meridivaci | 10 | Hyeontaek Oh | Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos | 54.5kg | $8.00 |
| 3rd | 7 | Acorn | 6 | Amber Riddell | Ms S Kay | 55.5kg | $11.80 |
| 4th | 8 | Galeforce | 2 | Leah Hemi | Ms L Pickford | 56.5kg | $20.10 |
| 5th | 1 | Richard Farrell | 9 | Jonathan Riddell | Ms S Gordon | 58.5kg | $4.60 |
| 6th | 9 | Button Ya Lip | 1 | Liam Kauri | W S Moorehead | 54.5kg | $10.90 |
| 7th | 2 | Subtle Time | 4 | Jim Chung | R G Allen | 57.5kg | $3.60 |
| 8th | 3 | Our Mitch | 8 | Elen Nicholas | R M Connors | 58.5kg | $13.00 |
| 9th | 10 | Sapphire | 3 | Toni Davies | M N Eales | 55.5kg | $67.30 |
| 10th | 4 | Teemoo | 5 | Sarah Macnab | J L Rathbone | 58.5kg | $30.80 |
Victortheinflictor's course-and-distance record is outstanding (2 wins, 1 placing from 5 starts) and he was successful last start here at 1700m over the same circuit. His synthetic record of 3 wins from 10 starts confirms suitability, and the consistent placing pattern through his last 10 runs shows he is racing to a high, reliable standard right now.
Her long-form history at Awapuni 1700m is remarkably consistent, rarely missing a placing, making her a genuine each-way threat with upside if she reproduces her local form.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Love Janie | 4 | Jonathan Riddell | Ms L Latta | 57.5kg | $5.00 |
| 2nd | 2 | Victortheinflictor | 8 | Floor Moerman | Peter & Trent Didham | 58kg | $7.50 |
| 3rd | 5 | Al Passo | 1 | Elen Nicholas | M P Breslin | 54.5kg | $5.40 |
| 4th | 9 | Rithim | 3 | Kavish Chowdhoory | Ms L Latta | 54kg | $13.20 |
| 5th | 4 | Wonderboy | 9 | Lisa Allpress | R J Bergerson | 56kg | $5.50 |
| 6th | 11 | Cuba Street | 6 | Leah Hemi | G D Innes | 54kg | $41.50 |
| 7th | 8 | Anaroa | 10 | Hyeontaek Oh | Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos | 50kg | $11.50 |
| 8th | 7 | Shez Shamus | 2 | Chris Dell | P W Lock | 54kg | $8.10 |
| 9th | 6 | Red Lady | 5 | Rohan Mudhoo | Kevin & Stephen Gray | 54kg | $8.20 |
| 10th | 10 | Giveusawink | 7 | Toni Davies | Joshua Shaw | 53kg | $40.60 |
| 11th | 1 | Doubtful Sound | 11 | Liam Kauri | Ms S Gordon | 60.5kg | $30.40 |
Dazz arrives in career-best form having just won at this track, distance and class level. Inside barrier suits the tactical demands of Awapuni's tight turns, and the consistent upward trajectory through grades points to continued improvement. The clearest form-based case in the race.
A genuine synthetic specialist with a strong record on this surface and solid second-up statistics. Carrying topweight is a slight concern, but the horse's consistency and course suitability make it a leading contender just behind the in-form Dazz.
It's Amelia steps up sharply in class after breaking through in a Maiden, but her form at this specific track is outstanding with consistent top-3 finishes. The rise in grade is untested, tempering confidence, but the trajectory and track suitability make her a genuine each-way threat.
Meglio Di Falcrest has been competitive at this exact track and grade recently, placing behind quality rivals.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Dancing Shadow | 6 | Toni Davies | Kevin & Stephen Gray | 53kg | $6.00 |
| 2nd | 2 | Meglio Di Falcrest | 7 | Jonathan Riddell | Ms S Gordon | 57.5kg | $12.10 |
| 3rd | 1 | Vittorio Veneto | 3 | Chris Dell | P W Lock | 62.5kg | $2.70 |
| 4th | 5 | La Dulcin''ee | 4 | Jim Chung | F P Campbell | 53kg | $15.20 |
| 5th | 3 | Dazz | 2 | Rohan Mudhoo | Kevin & Stephen Gray | 56kg | $2.50 |
| 6th | 6 | Ride The Tide | 5 | Kavish Chowdhoory | Marieke Simons | 54kg | $32.30 |
| 7th | 4 | It''s Amelia | 1 | Floor Moerman | Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos | 52kg | $12.20 |
| Scr | 8 | Jamaica Bay | 7 | Kevin & Stephen Gray | 54kg |
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