Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New South Wales · Tuesday 21 July 2026
Our top pick won 0 of 7 races at Taree. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Autafinna was hugely impressive on debut at Taree on heavy going, finishing a close second over 1600m. He draws the inside barrier which is a major advantage on testing ground, and gets a lightweight 56.5kg. Being by The Autumn Sun with a staying pedigree, the step to 2018m should suit. Mikayla Weir is riding in top form and knows the horse. The only query is experience, but he profiles as the most likely winner.
Smokey Saint is the in-form runner of the field with three straight top-3 finishes including a second at Taree on heavy. He has shown he can handle longer trips, running well over 2220m at Grafton. The wide barrier is a concern but he has good early speed to cross or sit handy.
Elite Delight is a consistent mare who has placed at Taree on heavy and can handle the distance. Barrier 2 gives her every chance to be in the right spot. She runs well at this level but has a poor win record. She looks a strong place chance and may finally break through if the race sets up for her.
He ran 3rd at Taree and 2nd at Narromine on heavy, carrying more weight than today. With the 2kg claim he gets down to 54.5kg, the lowest in the race, and barrier 3 should see him in a forward position. He's a maiden but has been knocking on the door and represents excellent each-way value.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Smokey Saint | 9 | Jean Van Overmeire | R N Godbolt | 57.5kg | $3.90 |
| 2nd | 6 | Autafinna | 1 | Mikayla Weir | Patrick Cleave | 56.5kg | $1.95 |
| 3rd | 4 | Send A Telegram | 4 | Aaron Bullock | J A Sprague | 59kg | $12.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Lone Star Dream | 6 | Grant Buckley | Allan Kehoe | 59kg | $8.50 |
| 5th | 8 | Elite Delight | 2 | Jess Taylor | Ms K Buchanan | 55kg | $4.80 |
| 6th | 3 | Rebel One | 5 | Teighan Worsnop | M J Robinson | 59kg | $71.00 |
| 7th | 9 | Zavino | 8 | Zac Wadick | P Cheers | 55kg | $81.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Hardash | 7 | Raymond Spokes | P Cheers | 59kg | $71.00 |
| Scr | 7 | Purple Prince | 3 | Olivia Dalton | J A Sylvester | 54.5kg |
Na Hamah brings the strongest recent heavy-track form to this Maiden, having finished a close 2nd over this track and distance on Heavy 10 just 12 days ago. She maps beautifully from barrier 3, can settle midfield, and should be in the finish again.
However, he is first-up after a long spell, has no heavy track form, and has never placed.
Dream Invader is an unraced debutant who impressed winning a heavy-track trial convincingly. Barrier 1 and top jockey suggest he will be ridden positively. He is a likely contender but the value is poor.
Hard Rattle is a seasoned maiden with solid heavy-track form, including a close 3rd at Wellington on Heavy 9. The 281-day break is a concern, but she has shown ability fresh.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Don't | 5 | Aaron Bullock | R J Agnew | 57.5kg | $1.65 |
| 2nd | 9 | My Sweetheart | 4 | Liberty Smyth | Damien Smith | 53kg | $13.00 |
| 3rd | 4 | The Crusher | 7 | Ben Looker | Allan Kehoe | 56.5kg | $20.00 |
| 4th | 10 | Na Hamah | 3 | Grant Buckley | H R Dew | 55kg | $2.90 |
| 5th | 5 | Raining Luck | 2 | Serg Lisnyy | Damien Smith | 56kg | $12.00 |
| 6th | 7 | Hard Rattle | 10 | Jess Taylor | G McFarlane | 55kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 6 | Gunna Reign | 6 | Peter Graham | D Wagstaff | 55kg | $61.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Dream Invader | 1 | Jean Van Overmeire | Allan Kehoe | 59kg | |
| Scr | 3 | Royal Ribbons | 9 | P J Kelly | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Kasumi | 8 | D Wagstaff | 55kg |
Darn Deadly ran a solid third on Heavy10 over this same course and distance last time, and prior to that she won a Class 1 at Taree on soft. The drop to 55kg and a gear change (nose roll first time) could bring out improvement.
Dark Stratum has a strong distance and heavy track record and comes off a narrow second at Casino. He is usually around the mark but lacks a sharp sprint. The 1412m fits his stamina profile and barrier 5 helps.
Red Spector is a progressive type who won his last start and has already placed at Taree on heavy. The class rise is a concern but his raw ability and current form suggest he can handle the step up. Likely to settle midfield and finish over the top.
Purple Kitty is a Taree specialist who ran a huge race to finish second in a Class 2 on Heavy10 last month over this exact trip. He runs well fresh and appears to be coming to form. A repeat of that run puts him in the finish.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Dark Stratum | 5 | Jean Van Overmeire | Samantha McGuren | 56kg | $5.00 |
| 2nd | 1 | Tact | 2 | Aaron Bullock | J C Deamer | 62kg | $2.60 |
| 3rd | 7 | Purple Kitty | 4 | Raymond Spokes | P Cheers | 55kg | $9.00 |
| 4th | 5 | Incantress | 1 | Andrew Gibbons | S J Hodge | 55kg | $4.60 |
| 5th | 4 | Darn Deadly | 6 | Ben Looker | Paul Snowden | 55kg | $5.50 |
| 6th | 6 | Ken'ker | 7 | Liberty Smyth | D Wagstaff | 53kg | $9.50 |
| Scr | 2 | Red Spector | 8 | Jake Hull | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Hoo Haa | 3 | Kacie Adams | Darren Treacy | 55kg |
Airburst is the clear top pick with excellent credentials. Barrier 1, in-form jockey Ben Looker, and consistent recent placings make her the most likely winner. She should get a soft run on the fence and be strongest late.
Fashion Spree is a consistent maiden who rarely runs poorly. The winkers are a positive gear change and she maps well from barrier 5. She should be in the finish again and offers good each-way value.
Sunny Quarters has been knocking on the door with consecutive placings on heavy ground at Taree. The wide barrier is a concern, but she has the tactical speed to overcome it. If she can slot in, she will be running on late. Worth a place play.
Cannystep showed ability on debut at Kembla before a solid 3rd on heavy at Taree. Second up he can take another step forward, though the wide draw makes it tough.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Cannystep | 10 | Peter Graham | Peter Graham | 59kg | $11.00 |
| 2nd | 8 | Fashion Spree | 5 | Grant Buckley | Terry Evans | 55.5kg | $3.70 |
| 3rd | 4 | Airburst | 1 | Ben Looker | Paul Snowden | 56kg | $1.75 |
| 4th | 7 | Clever Illusion | 6 | Lee Magorrian | P Cheers | 55.5kg | $41.00 |
| 5th | 2 | Sunny Quarters | 8 | Teighan Worsnop | M J Robinson | 57.5kg | $7.00 |
| 6th | 10 | Irish Accolade | 9 | J A Sylvester | 55.5kg | $15.00 | |
| 7th | 9 | Gallant Rush | 7 | Raymond Spokes | P Cheers | 55.5kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 5 | Hear A Symphony | 2 | Mikayla Weir | S L Quintano | 56kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 6 | Be Scene | 4 | Liberty Smyth | D L Matts | 53.5kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Cook My Goose | 3 | Sally Taylor | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Once A Warrior | 11 | Olivia Dalton | Darren L Bell | 53.5kg | |
| Scr | 12 | Zavino | 7 | P Cheers | 55.5kg |
He's Godspeed is the class runner of the race, dropping back from BM72 company where he was outclassed. He has tactical speed to settle handy and is proven at the 1614m trip. The weight is a concern but the class edge and recent fitness make him the most likely winner in a moderate BM58.
Dam Impact is a lightly raced filly who has found form on heavy tracks. She maps to settle midfield and will be strong late.
He draws the inside barrier which is a major advantage on this heavy track, allowing Ben Looker to hold a forward position without wasting energy. He has placed in 4 of 7 heavy starts and while he rarely wins, his consistency makes him a strong place chance.
That was a career-best performance and suggests he may have turned a corner. He gets in with a light weight (55kg) and draws well in barrier 6. The main concern is his poor overall record with just one win from 39 starts.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 12 | Argerich | 2 | Olivia Dalton | P Cheers | 53kg | $21.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Yorikiri | 14 | William A Stanley | P M Perry | 59kg | $8.00 |
| 3rd | 14 | Mr Villa | 1 | Ben Looker | Gaye Ball | 56kg | $8.50 |
| 4th | 8 | Dam Impact | 9 | Grant Buckley | Glen Milligan | 57kg | $4.20 |
| 5th | 1 | He's Godspeed | 10 | Grady Spokes | B M Lazzarini | 60.5kg | $15.00 |
| 6th | 6 | Quick Buck | 4 | Zac Wadick | Glen Milligan | 58.5kg | $26.00 |
| 7th | 13 | Corpsman | 15 | Anna Weatherlake | J A Sylvester | 52kg | $51.00 |
| 8th | 5 | Nikody's Binks | 5 | Raymond Spokes | P Cheers | 58.5kg | $3.10 |
| 9th | 11 | Seething Chuck | 11 | Madeline Owen | Ms K Owen | 57kg | $19.00 |
| 10th | 10 | Maggie Sparkles | 7 | Liberty Smyth | P J Kelly | 55kg | $13.00 |
| 11th | 7 | Charmed Destiny | 12 | Teighan Worsnop | J A Sprague | 57.5kg | $31.00 |
| 12th | 3 | So You Ready | 8 | Lee Magorrian | Ms K Buchanan | 60kg | $11.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Sound And Vision | 3 | Ms K Owen | 62kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Deep Drive | 13 | Terry Evans | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | Thinkin' Bo You | 6 | Andrew Gibbons | D Simonetta | 55kg | |
| Scr | 16 | Firealarm | 13 | Damien Smith | 55kg |
Red Spector is the most reliable runner based on recent form and track suitability. He won well last start at Grafton on soft and has a placing over this track and distance on heavy. With barrier 3 and a slow tempo favouring on-pace runners, he maps perfectly for a forward ride. The class rise is a minor query, but his racing pattern and fitness suggest he handles it.
River Pat brings strong track and distance credentials with a place on heavy at Taree. She runs consistently in similar grades and has the speed to stay in touch. Rory Hutchings is in good form and should give her every chance from a midfield draw. With the slow tempo, she may need luck but represents each-way value.
Calypso Rocket is a talented horse but has questions on heavy ground. He flopped first-up at Rosehill on soft, but his second-up record reads well (1 win). Aaron Bullock is riding superbly and should have him closer this time. He could improve, but others are more reliable on this surface.
Bold Design is a heavy track winner at Taree and gets a significant weight drop to 54.5kg. His last start was poor but he was first-up and has a decent second-up record. The removal of blinkers could help him relax and finish stronger. A value chance for exotics and small each-way.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Bold Design | 8 | Grady Spokes | M S Minervini | 54.5kg | $31.00 |
| 2nd | 8 | Sirsa Nuwa | 9 | Lee Magorrian | J A Sprague | 56.5kg | $7.00 |
| 3rd | 2 | Calypso Rocket | 4 | Aaron Bullock | M P Quinn | 60.5kg | $3.50 |
| 4th | 9 | Bella Kathleen | 1 | Madeline Owen | Cassandra Schmidt | 55kg | $26.00 |
| 5th | 12 | Red Spector | 3 | Ben Looker | Jake Hull | 56.5kg | $2.15 |
| 6th | 4 | River Pat | 6 | Rory Hutchings | Ms K Waugh | 58kg | $12.00 |
| 7th | 11 | Nikody's Diego | 11 | Raymond Spokes | P Cheers | 55kg | $151.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Kyle | 2 | Liberty Smyth | James Harding | 59.5kg | $9.00 |
| 9th | 10 | Take The Jackpot | 13 | Peter Graham | B G Lawrence | 55kg | $16.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Reflecting Fame | 5 | Cameron Crockett | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Woodrow | 10 | Grant Buckley | Cassandra Schmidt | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 7 | Capzinzi | 12 | Sally Taylor | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Hoo Haa | 7 | Darren Treacy | 55kg |
Miss De Blaas comes off a dominant win at Taree over this course and distance on Heavy10, beating two rivals that re-oppose. She handles heavy ground well and has an improving pattern. While the wide barrier is a minor concern, she is fit and proven at the trip. The leading chance in a moderate race.
He has placed at Taree in both attempts, gets a top jockey in red-hot form, and maps well from barrier 5. The query is whether he truly sees out the trip on heavy ground given his sole win came on Good. Still the strongest alternative to the top pick.
He placed at Taree on heavy two starts back and has the speed to use the gate. However, his overall strike rate is low and the jockey is out of form. Likely to be in the finish but not reliable enough for top status.
From barrier 2 she can roll forward and dictate. Second-up has produced her best, and she gets bottom weight.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 12 | Wine Time | 2 | Mikayla Weir | Nicole Hudson | 55kg | $9.00 |
| 2nd | 8 | Mosgiel Crystal | 4 | Teighan Worsnop | M J Robinson | 57.5kg | $12.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Exceed Me | 5 | Aaron Bullock | J A Sprague | 58.5kg | $2.60 |
| 4th | 2 | Cupid's Kiss | 9 | Anna Weatherlake | J A Sylvester | 56kg | $10.00 |
| 5th | 4 | Brazen Brando | 12 | Grady Spokes | B M Lazzarini | 56kg | $6.00 |
| 6th | 13 | Jevington Will Do | 6 | H R Dew | 55kg | $61.00 | |
| 7th | 6 | Miss De Blaas | 10 | Zac Wadick | H R Dew | 58kg | $3.40 |
| 8th | 10 | Nakama | 8 | Madeline Owen | I C Marks | 57kg | $20.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Snow Falcon | 7 | Shane Everson | 61.5kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Dirty Does It | 1 | Peter Graham | R J Agnew | 58kg | |
| Scr | 7 | Lord Seymour | 3 | Sally Taylor | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Whiskers | 11 | P J Kelly | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Fancy Shoulder | 13 | Daniel Wheeler | 56.5kg |
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