Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New Zealand · Sunday 26 July 2026
Our top pick won 5 of 9 races at Te Aroha. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Rock-solid maiden hurdler who has finished third in all three jumps runs, including recent Heavy 10 efforts over 2500–3000m. Handles Te Aroha conditions, stays strongly, and profiles ideally for a testing 3100m. Drawn to get an economical run and trained by a leading winter jumps yard. While not a prolific winner overall, his recent hurdles consistency, wet-track credentials and fitness give him the most reliable winning profile here.
As a Zed, he should stay and relish testing ground. However, this is his hurdle debut and the new task at 3100m is a genuine test, so he sits just behind the top pick. Safer as a place play given debut-on-the-briars risk in a volatile maiden hurdle.
Lightly raced hurdler trending the right way. Posted a Te Aroha Heavy 10 3100m placing recently and has strung together competitive jumps runs. He lacks polish compared with the top two and has been well held by the victors, but the set-up suits and he’s a credible each-way threat in a testing maiden hurdle where fitness and fluency count.
Seasoned heavy-ground performer building towards a peak over hurdles. The step to 3100m looks a positive and an inside draw should ensure a kind run. Suitable as a value each-way play in a deep, testing maiden hurdle on a Heavy 10 surface.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Carignan | 5 | Jay Kozaczek | K T Myers | 68kg | $4.70 |
| 2nd | 8 | Mobilized | 3 | Hamish Mc Neill | S & E Clotworthy | 68kg | $1.90 |
| 3rd | 5 | Heza Warrior | 9 | Bella Oliver | D R Wiles | 68kg | $9.30 |
| 4th | 13 | Cocktail Lad | 2 | Nick Downs | Ms G Temperton | 68kg | $11.90 |
| Scr | 7 | Mister Roquette | 4 | Stephan Karnicnik | S N Rees | 68kg | |
| 6th | 4 | Hey Hey Hey | 6 | Ashley Dascombe | W S Moorehead | 68kg | $34.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Sweet Taboo | 1 | Michael Roustoby | Shelley Wright | 68kg | $61.50 |
| 8th | 15 | Kamaal | 8 | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 68kg | $24.80 | |
| Scr | 1 | Onezedbee | 14 | Jordan Hart | W D Lund | 68kg | |
| 6 | Guipago | 12 | Brandon Holliday | M H Brosnan | 68kg | ||
| 9 | The Bicester | 14 | B B Beatson | 68kg | |||
| Scr | 10 | Tramore | 13 | Lemmy Douglas | Adam Scott | 66kg | |
| Scr | 11 | Fleur De Champ | 4 | Jordan Hart | J R Wheeler | 66kg | |
| Scr | 12 | Keen On Bubbles | 11 | Billy Marshall | J R Wheeler | 66kg | |
| Scr | 14 | Chester Boy | 7 | J R Wheeler | 68kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Our Easy Street | 10 | S & E Clotworthy | 66kg |
Seasoned hurdler well suited to a deep Te Aroha Heavy 10. He owns a strong wet record and an excellent hurdles profile, and is a winner at this track/trip. Arrives off a very solid Heavy 10 second over 3200m and handles weight, so the 68kg is manageable under a compressed scale. Barrier 3 allows an economical run on this tight circuit. Fitness is sound at 24 days. On overall form depth and proven T&D credentials, he profiles as the most likely winner.
Comes off a dominant maiden Hurdle win at this track/trip on Heavy 10 and is very fit after a recent synthetic placing. Carries 65kg under a compressed scale and retains top jumps rider Shaun Fannin. The query is class: he has only one hurdles start and now meets seasoned wet stayers.
Battle-hardened wet stayer with two recent Te Aroha placings (3100m Hurdle and 3500m Steeple) and a notable weight drop to 65kg after carrying 68.5kg. Track record is positive and he’s reliable on Heavy going. Returns from a fair flat run eight days ago, which should keep him sharp. While age and a modest jockey strike-rate temper confidence, his proven stamina and recent local form make him a solid each-way contender in this testing ground.
Won at this track/trip on Heavy 10 last month and generally runs well here. Forgive the latest Woodville failure; he returns to a preferred circuit with a strong heavy record and secures an in-form senior jumps rider. Barrier 9 is a small negative and the class depth is tougher, but his T&D profile and rider switch create upside.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Roc Up Ralph | 3 | Hamish Mc Neill | S & E Clotworthy | 68kg | $4.60 |
| 2nd | 3 | Jake | 9 | Mathew Gillies | P & J Brosnan | 65kg | $13.10 |
| 3rd | 5 | Juwala | 8 | Bella Oliver | Sarah West | 65kg | $15.80 |
| 4th | 9 | Weneedashock | 6 | Shaun Fannin | Shaun Fannin & Hazel Fannin | 65kg | $2.20 |
| 5th | 4 | So Call Me | 1 | Jay Kozaczek | K T Myers | 65kg | $10.50 |
| 6th | 7 | Leprekhan | 10 | Jordan Hart | N J Quinn | 65kg | $42.50 |
| 2 | Harry Harrison | 4 | Brandon Holliday | Ms G Temperton | 66.5kg | ||
| 6 | Leitrim Lad | 5 | Nick Downs | E P Green | 65kg | ||
| 8 | The Belvoir | 7 | Ashley Dascombe | B B Beatson | 65kg | ||
| 10 | Tutin Cans | 2 | Lemmy Douglas | J J Rayner | 65kg |
She carries a light 56.5kg, arrives fit off an 11‑day backup, and now gains Craig Grylls for a top stable. The wide gate is a risk at a tight-turning circuit, but Te Aroha’s Heavy data shows winners come from across the draw. With reliable wet form and classy connections, she sets the form standard.
He brings the clearest same‑race setup: a close second at this track and trip on Heavy 10 last time. His Heavy profile is solid and he has the seasoning to cope with a slog. The inside draw can be a blessing or a trap if the rail goes off late, and he does shoulder 58.5kg. Nonetheless, his recent local run is a strong pointer in a maiden and he profiles as a reliable each‑way hope.
Promising debut when third here at the same trip on Heavy 9, beaten just over a length. That sets a good platform, and second‑up improvement is on the cards, especially with a wet-friendly pedigree. He does rise to a deeper Heavy 10 test and remains lightly exposed, but the set‑up (track/trip experience, fitness progression, stable form) points to him running well again. A solid top‑three contender with upside.
She posted a tidy second‑up Heavy 9 1400m placing and should strip fitter third‑up. The draw is extreme, but on testing Heavy ground that can allow a cleaner path wider if inside lanes deteriorate.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | Black Diamond | 15 | Craig Grylls | Andrew Forsman | 56.5kg | $3.20 |
| 2nd | 10 | Bonus Bond | 17 | Bridget Grylls | Taui Johnson | 56.5kg | $15.30 |
| 3rd | 12 | Must Bee | 6 | Elen Nicholas | S & E Clotworthy | 56.5kg | $15.90 |
| 4th | 6 | Aim Up | 3 | Hayley Hassman | D C Lang | 56.5kg | $7.10 |
| 5th | 1 | Kairos | 1 | Jasmine Fawcett | M & K Murdoch | 58.5kg | $5.70 |
| 6th | 4 | Dragonstone | 4 | Erin M Leighton | Ms D Logan | 58.5kg | $8.50 |
| 7th | 14 | Lady Meera | 14 | Rihaan Goyaram | Tayla Sherwood | 54.5kg | $67.40 |
| 8th | 3 | Paddy Murphy | 7 | George Rooke | S B Marsh | 58.5kg | $6.90 |
| 9th | 2 | Linton Flyer | 8 | Masahiro Hashizume | G K Opie | 58.5kg | $23.00 |
| 10th | 5 | Dunamis | 10 | A Lawson-Carroll | S & E Clotworthy | 58.5kg | $35.00 |
| 11th | 16 | Scipio | 13 | S Ralph | 58.5kg | $97.70 | |
| 12th | 8 | Echo Two | 2 | Lynsey Satherley | Shelley Wright | 58.5kg | $79.50 |
| 13th | 15 | Shebebon | 12 | Ashlee Strawbridge | Debbie Sweeney | 53.5kg | $29.70 |
| 14th | 20 | Edge Of Glory | 9 | C J Wood | 56.5kg | $37.90 | |
| Scr | 7 | Humble Spear | 5 | Courtney Barnes | D R Wiles | 58.5kg | |
| Scr | 11 | Toss | 11 | Joe Doyle | Debbie Sweeney | 56.5kg | |
| Scr | 13 | Toni Marie | 14 | P A Stevens | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Jai Ho | 16 | Shelley Wright | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 18 | Wakey Wokey | 16 | S & E Clotworthy | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 19 | Ghost In Th''castle | 14 | W D Larsen | 58.5kg |
He’s hard-fit, handles deep conditions (heavy record solid) and has recent local hurdle form to back it up. The class relief and proven stamina/jumping make him the most reliable profile despite a modest rider win rate. Well set up to grind it out on Heavy 10.
A notable stable switch to the bigger fences—often a plus with this yard. He’s a Heavy-track hurdle winner with prior Te Aroha experience and gets a soft draw to conserve energy on a testing surface. Recent hurdle runs were sound without threatening in stronger grade; this maiden steeple looks more suitable. Reliable each-way/place style profile in a thin field.
Honest mare with valuable steeple experience. She stays, copes with Te Aroha’s Heavy conditions and generally jumps cleanly. While she struggles to finish races off, the class drop and setup make her a credible top-three chance.
Veteran who slides from Rest 1 Win Steeple to a maiden. He’s tough on Heavy and brings plenty of chasing miles. From a wider draw he’ll need an efficient trip, but his experience and class relief make him an attractive each-way overlay.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Zee Heights | 2 | Bella Oliver | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 68kg | $9.30 |
| 2nd | 1 | Odysseus | 8 | Brandon Holliday | S C Beatson | 68kg | $17.40 |
| 3rd | 2 | Mont Ventoux | 6 | Nick Downs | R P Liefting | 68kg | $2.90 |
| 4th | 3 | Touch O''paradise | 1 | Jay Kozaczek | A B Bidlake | 68kg | $18.30 |
| 5th | 5 | Empire State | 3 | Ashley Dascombe | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 68kg | $3.90 |
| 6th | 9 | Dorothy''s Daughter | 7 | Jordan Hart | N J Quinn | 66kg | $4.50 |
| 4 | Almalane | 4 | Hamish Mc Neill | J L Rathbone | 68kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Taika | 3 | Mathew Gillies | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 68kg | |
| 8 | Muse | 5 | Michael Roustoby | Shelley Wright | 66kg |
He demolished a Woodville Maiden Steeple on Heavy 10 carrying 68kg and now drops to 65kg. His overall heavy and jumps records are strong, and he arrives fit off a 14‑day turn-around. While he rises from maiden grade and tackles Te Aroha for the first time, his wet prowess and hardened jumping profile point to him handling a testing 3500m on a tight, turning circuit.
Genuine danger returning to his favoured Te Aroha and trip. He owns multiple local steeple wins (including on Heavy) and boasts a stout Heavy record. The switch to Mathew Gillies is a positive and the drop back from a tough 4900m test should help. While the recent DNF and a couple of middling soft-track efforts temper confidence slightly, course/tactics familiarity and wet-ground nous make him a leading player.
Auld Jock is a credible place hope after a brave second at this track/trip two runs ago under a similar weight. He handles the Te Aroha steeple layout and stays the 3500m well. Concerns are the topweight, a career without a Heavy win, and a recent DNF over a longer journey. Expect him to grind into the finish if he reproduces that recent local effort and gets a clean round.
Invisible Spirit profiles as an each-way value play. Recent fourths came with big margins, but his consistent jumps base and inside draw offer the chance to settle handy and keep rolling.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Duke Of Plumpton | 8 | Hamish Mc Neill | C E Myers | 65kg | $1.80 |
| 2nd | 5 | Invisible Spirit | 2 | Jay Kozaczek | K T Myers | 65kg | $8.00 |
| 3rd | 7 | Sound Of Silence | 6 | Billy Marshall | D J Blackie | 65kg | $32.80 |
| 4th | 6 | Name The Game | 3 | Brandon Holliday | Ms G Temperton | 65kg | $15.20 |
| 5th | 1 | Auld Jock | 7 | Jordan Hart | P & J Brosnan | 68kg | $19.70 |
| 2 | Smug | 1 | Michael Roustoby | C J Wood | 67kg | ||
| 3 | Justice | 5 | Mathew Gillies | D R Wiles | 65kg | ||
| 8 | Uncle Charlie | 4 | Ashley Dascombe | S C Beatson | 65kg |
Form-first pick. She''ll Be Right brings the most suitable profile: a close third at Te Aroha over 1400m on Heavy last start and now drops in grade. She owns handy Heavy and 1400m stats and is fit. Barrier 10 and a moderate tempo are minor negatives, but the track tends to play fair on Heavy.
Genuine wet-tracker with a prior Te Aroha 1400m Heavy win. His latest Heavy 1200m placing indicates he’s in the right form, and stretching to 1400m looks a positive. From gate 7 he can stalk the leaders and present.
Strong Heavy and 1400m records, a prior track win, and just 53kg give her the right platform if she crosses and controls. Last start was poor at 1600m on Heavy, but the drop to 1400m and class suits.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 16 | Koro''s Princess | 4 | G K Opie | 54kg | $25.00 | |
| 2nd | 2 | King William | 8 | Jasmine Fawcett | E P Green | 59.5kg | $42.00 |
| 3rd | 11 | Zacabasso | 9 | Rihaan Goyaram | G Richardson & R Norvall | 55kg | $22.90 |
| 4th | 1 | Chasing Warrior | 6 | Michael Mc Nab | B Wallace & G Cooksley | 59.5kg | $4.40 |
| 5th | 13 | Highly Anticipated | 12 | Ashlee Strawbridge | S L Cameron | 53kg | $5.70 |
| 6th | 3 | Timetoplaythegame | 11 | Joe Doyle | D G Greene | 59.5kg | $5.40 |
| 7th | 10 | Gold Card | 5 | Lynsey Satherley | J L Teaz | 58kg | $15.50 |
| 8th | 14 | Takeachance | 3 | Bridget Grylls | Ms T R Lomas | 55.5kg | $22.90 |
| 9th | 8 | Return Message | 13 | Hayley Hassman | S Ralph | 56kg | $14.50 |
| 10th | 4 | Soaring Pengshan | 7 | Masahiro Hashizume | S L Crawford | 58.5kg | $17.00 |
| 11th | 7 | Nulli | 1 | Erin M Leighton | N P Bishara | 58kg | $26.70 |
| 12th | 12 | Zeffert | 2 | Sienna Brown | P & J Brosnan | 54kg | $37.60 |
| 13th | 9 | She''ll Be Right | 10 | Courtney Barnes | Ms L M Laing | 58kg | $5.10 |
| Scr | 5 | Berry Brown | 14 | George Rooke | Andrew Forsman | 58kg | |
| Scr | 6 | Catoca | 4 | Elen Nicholas | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 58kg | |
| Scr | 15 | Dubai Rockin | 12 | Ms M L Bradley | 56kg |
Consistent filly with a near-miss at this course and trip and a strong last-start second on Soft 5, suggesting form and fitness are spot on. She carries a light weight and has repeatedly run to competitive margins. The unknown is Heavy 10 and a wide draw, but her prior Te Aroha 1150m effort and recent conditioning make her the most reliable form pick in a volatile maiden on a testing surface.
Proxy assessment favors this well-connected debutant: the Alexander stable is reliable with new runners and Craig Grylls’ strong course record indicates intent.
The draw and McNab are positives, and his prior 1100m effort showed ability, yet Te Aroha’s heavy winners are usually more seasoned and recent. Respect the class but lean to a place-type profile rather than anchoring him to win.
The return to 1150m looks a better fit after a 1400m fade.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Withallmygrace | 10 | Hayley Hassman | Ms J K Mahoney | 53.5kg | $2.00 |
| 2nd | 9 | Lit Show | 6 | Hyeontaek Oh | Nick Kneebone | 50.5kg | $17.50 |
| 3rd | 10 | Sally Gee | 9 | Ashlee Strawbridge | E P Green | 49.5kg | $21.00 |
| 4th | 11 | Karabellaskye | 4 | Rihaan Goyaram | R R Manning | 50.5kg | $5.70 |
| 5th | 4 | Valsoeur | 8 | Masahiro Hashizume | S & K Alexander | 55.5kg | $9.20 |
| 6th | 3 | Jaimee Marie | 11 | Craig Grylls | S & K Alexander | 55.5kg | $4.10 |
| 7th | 7 | Omalish | 7 | Courtney Barnes | S B Marsh | 55.5kg | $18.30 |
| 8th | 8 | Rectify | 3 | Ethan Jones | A D Fuller | 55.5kg | $55.10 |
| Scr | 1 | Hebridean Way | 2 | Michael Mc Nab | S B Marsh | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 5 | Ciabatta | 6 | Joe Doyle | S B Marsh | 55.5kg | |
| Scr | 6 | Fast Net | 8 | Elen Nicholas | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 55.5kg | |
| Scr | 12 | Little Orchid | 7 | L O''sullivan & A Scott | 52.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Ragtime Rose | 1 | Lynsey Satherley | Debbie Sweeney | 52.5kg | |
| Scr | 14 | Rising Moon | 5 | George Rooke | M G Forbes | 52.5kg |
Arrives off a head second at Te Rapa over 2100m on Heavy 8, indicating he stays and handles testing ground. The 2200m looks a natural progression third run this prep, and an inside draw should allow a soft, economical trip on a tight-turning track.
The wide draw and a 7-length margin last time temper top billing, but her staying and wet-track credentials keep her firmly in the winning conversation. More conservative from the gate, she’s a strong place hope with upside.
Genuine stayer who has run consecutive honest Heavy races at the staying trips, including a 4th here over 2200m on Heavy 10. Maps to settle within striking range from gate 5, which is typically advantageous at Te Aroha. While he’s yet to place on Heavy, his recent margins are competitive.
He’s race-fit and shaping to improve at this trip. Worth an each-way ticket as an overlay.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Monroe | 8 | Hayley Hassman | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 56.5kg | $10.20 |
| 2nd | 1 | Paper Romance | 2 | Bridget Grylls | Aimee Black | 58.5kg | $7.30 |
| 3rd | 7 | Janka | 1 | Erin M Leighton | Shelley Wright | 58.5kg | $18.20 |
| 4th | 14 | Septima | 6 | George Rooke | Andrew Forsman | 56.5kg | $23.30 |
| 5th | 4 | Teams | 5 | Joe Doyle | D R Wiles | 58.5kg | $12.40 |
| 6th | 2 | Asvakan | 3 | Masahiro Hashizume | Ms D Logan | 58.5kg | $17.30 |
| 7th | 11 | Playinasandpit | 13 | Elen Nicholas | S C Phelan | 56.5kg | $1.90 |
| 8th | 10 | Sacred Sin | 11 | Ethan Jones | N P Bishara | 58.5kg | $18.10 |
| 9th | 13 | Button Ya Lip | 9 | Cooper Stumbles | W S Moorehead | 52.5kg | $24.60 |
| 10th | 6 | All That I Am | 10 | A Lawson-Carroll | S & E Clotworthy | 58.5kg | $16.90 |
| 11th | 5 | Vincero | 4 | Courtney Barnes | A B Bidlake | 58.5kg | $38.20 |
| 12th | 9 | Rex | 7 | Lynsey Satherley | D R Wiles | 58.5kg | $103.90 |
| 13th | 3 | I''lberidingshotgun | 12 | Sienna Brown | P & J Brosnan | 55.5kg | $67.80 |
| Scr | 12 | So Like Zee | 7 | Hyeontaek Oh | S N Rees | 52.5kg |
Comes off a strong on-pace win over this course and distance on heavy going and now drops sharply in weight. The speed map points to a controlled tempo, favouring leaders, and he’s already shown he can sustain a gallop here in the mud. Despite a wider draw, he has the tactical speed to offset it.
Well treated back to BM65 with a big weight drop and a strong course/distance profile. Handles heavy ground and should secure a soft run behind the speed from barrier 2. If the leader comes back to them, he’s the one to grind into it late. A safer, seasoned stayer profile versus many rivals.
Brings the right wet staying profile, dropping back from stronger BM75 company with a recent Te Aroha 2200m placing on heavy. Reliable grinder who handles the conditions, though he often finds one better at this trip. With a soft map from gate 5, he’s a solid each-way/top-3 chance.
Genuine tempo/map value. She was a solid third here at the trip last start on heavy carrying much more weight and now drops to 54kg.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | King Cabal | 1 | Masahiro Hashizume | G & T Shaw | 58.5kg | $21.20 |
| 2nd | 3 | Muscovado | 6 | Craig Grylls | J W Bell | 60kg | $6.00 |
| 3rd | 4 | Arjay''s Flight | 3 | Elen Nicholas | S C Phelan | 58.5kg | $6.40 |
| 4th | 8 | Raajoices | 8 | Lynsey Satherley | Ms C Cameron | 57.5kg | $32.40 |
| 5th | 6 | Star Warrior | 12 | Joe Doyle | D R Wiles | 58kg | $5.20 |
| 6th | 1 | In A Pickle | 5 | Rihaan Goyaram | R R Manning | 58kg | $11.10 |
| 7th | 12 | Lord Goliath | 2 | Abhay Seesa | Danny Walker & Arron Tata | 52.5kg | $10.50 |
| 8th | 14 | Our Easy Street | 15 | Hyeontaek Oh | S & E Clotworthy | 50kg | $22.30 |
| 9th | 13 | Rio Grande | 7 | George Rooke | Andrew Forsman | 56.5kg | $12.80 |
| 10th | 9 | Pointer | 10 | Ashlee Strawbridge | D B Hollinshead | 57kg | $8.70 |
| 11th | 10 | Camacho | 14 | Ethan Jones | Ms D C Kennedy | 57kg | $26.40 |
| 12th | 11 | Did The Trick | 17 | Erin M Leighton | W Hillis & R Cole | 57kg | $22.00 |
| 13th | 16 | Te Atatu Memphis | 11 | P & J Brosnan | 55kg | $46.60 | |
| 14th | 2 | King Khan | 13 | Hayley Hassman | K G Harrison | 58kg | $14.90 |
| Scr | 7 | Charlemagne | 15 | A Lawson-Carroll | M & K Murdoch | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 15 | Jamaican Boy | 5 | S L Crawford | 55.5kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Slick Chick | 18 | Peter Grey | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 18 | Our Jasmine | 4 | S T Wenn | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 19 | Little Darling | 9 | G K Opie | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 20 | Dembe | 16 | Ms C Mckee | 54kg |
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