Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New Zealand · Friday 7 August 2026
Our top pick won 2 of 7 races at Cambridge Synthetic. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Alezando stands out on pure form as the Cambridge Synthetic specialist. Consistent 2nd and dual 4ths here recently with tight margins show she handles the surface and can finish. Midfield style suits the track profile perfectly. Steps in trip but fitness and map look ideal in a weak maiden. Clear top chance.
Compulsion has found form with a narrow 2nd and solid 4th over 1600m recently. The step to synthetic is a query after one poor sprint here, but trip suits and recent competitiveness edges most of this field.
Dare You ran an honest 3rd at this exact track and trip only nine days ago, finishing ahead of French Fox and Superstar Patch. Synthetic place form and barrier 3 give her every chance to be in the finish again. Reliable place contender in a winnable maiden.
French Fox finished 4th in the same 1550m synthetic maiden last week and drops significantly in the weights to 53.5kg from barrier 2.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Alezando | 5 | Matthew Cartwright | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 56.5kg | $2.30 |
| 2nd | 6 | Dare You | 3 | S N Rees | 56.5kg | $10.10 | |
| 3rd | 8 | Brutal Reality | 6 | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 56.5kg | $27.10 |
| 4th | 1 | Compulsion | 7 | Lynsey Satherley | P P Mirabelli | 58.5kg | $3.40 |
| 5th | 3 | El Vallo | 4 | Joe Doyle | S Ritchie & C Murray | 58.5kg | $8.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Superstar Patch | 8 | Rihaan Goyaram | S L Crawford | 56.5kg | $14.50 |
| 7th | 7 | French Fox | 2 | Tom Wigram | Samantha Logan | 53.5kg | $8.90 |
| 8th | 4 | Scipio | 1 | Joe Nishizuka | S Ralph | 55.5kg | $36.60 |
Clear form standout after dominating BM74 here last start. Perfect track/distance record and elite synthetic stats override the weight rise on a class drop. Settles midfield with proven finishing strength suited to moderate tempo. Most likely winner on pure form.
Improving mare with solid win strike and perfect draw. Recent placing plus Hashizume booking signal intent. Unproven on synthetic but maps ideally midfield and can capitalise if tempo suits.
Second-up improver who already owns a win at this exact track and trip. First-up effort solid and Collett stays aboard. Wide gate is the query but synthetic form and fitness edge make him a genuine top-three chance.
Massive overlay. Proven Cambridge specialist who finished second at this trip/grade only two starts ago.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Subiaco | 10 | Samantha Collett | Peter & Shaun Mckay | 55kg | $3.80 |
| 2nd | 1 | Kasukedo | 7 | Bruno Queiroz | S B Marsh | 60kg | $4.10 |
| 3rd | 7 | Niagara Sky | 3 | Masahiro Hashizume | R R Manning | 54.5kg | $5.90 |
| 4th | 11 | Silkdegrees | 4 | Joe Nishizuka | P A Stevens | 51kg | $12.40 |
| 5th | 10 | Cheap Sav | 2 | Ashlee Strawbridge | Tarissa Macdonald | 51kg | $19.40 |
| 6th | 5 | Classic Grace | 8 | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | B H King | 54.5kg | $24.60 |
| 7th | 3 | Think I Got Cha | 5 | Tom Wigram | Ms K D Nicholson | 54kg | $5.30 |
| 8th | 6 | Madame Kleptomane | 6 | Hayley Hassman | S C Phelan | 53.5kg | $14.00 |
| 9th | 8 | Berry Brown | 1 | Joe Doyle | Andrew Forsman | 54kg | $11.30 |
| Scr | 2 | Altiplano | 9 | J W Bell | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | La Cadiere | 11 | Sam McNab | Ben & Ryan Foote | 52kg |
In The Vineyard stands out on pure form with consecutive strong placings at this exact track and trip, including a close 2nd and 3rd. The 3yo filly carries a featherweight 54kg from barrier 2 and has the highest reliability in a volatile maiden. Synthetic experience and finishing pattern suit the even-tempo Cambridge profile perfectly. Clear winning chance despite maiden status.
Heavy Is The Crown ran an honest 3rd over this track and distance only nine days ago under the same weight. The gelding has multiple placings and handles the synthetic well. In a weak maiden he maps as a reliable each-way threat who can improve on recent efforts without needing a perfect scenario. Solid second-best form case.
Hebridean Way has just one run but it was a solid 5th on synthetic. The Frankel colt returns for leading trainer Stephen Marsh with in-form Michael McNab. Proxy signals (connections, pedigree, stable intent) are strong enough in this ordinary maiden to rank him third on winning chance despite the long absence. Upside if ready first-up.
Levels Up showed progressive form last prep with several solid 4ths and a near-miss 2nd.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Levels Up | 9 | Ethan Jones | Ms C Cameron | 58.5kg | $4.10 |
| 2nd | 4 | Hebridean Way | 6 | Michael Mc Nab | S B Marsh | 58.5kg | $3.30 |
| 3rd | 6 | Barnum | 3 | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | C K Ormsby | 58.5kg | $3.20 |
| 4th | 3 | Mivirgo | 5 | Ashlee Strawbridge | S T Wenn | 55.5kg | $40.70 |
| 5th | 9 | In The Vineyard | 2 | Joe Doyle | A W Pike | 54kg | $4.60 |
| 6th | 1 | Heavy Is The Crown | 4 | Lynsey Satherley | C J Henderson | 58.5kg | $20.00 |
| 7th | 8 | Shebebon | 8 | Matthew Cartwright | Debbie Sweeney | 56.5kg | $61.20 |
| 8th | 7 | Freya | 7 | Joe Nishizuka | S Ralph | 53.5kg | $34.60 |
| Scr | 5 | Steel Warrior | 1 | Courtney Barnes | D R Wiles | 58.5kg |
Clear form standout after authoritative BM80 win here nine days ago. Loves Cambridge Synthetic (2 from 3) and the 970m (won and placed). Class drop suits, maps to control or sit handy in moderate tempo.
Track-and-distance specialist who won the corresponding BM72 here last start. Light weight and synthetic affinity make her the main danger. Maps midfield but has the turn of foot for this surface.
Ultimate Cambridge 970m specialist with a deep winning record here. Last-start fourth was ordinary but prior second and multiple wins show he belongs. Heavy weight is the main negative, yet map and local knowledge keep him in the first three conversation.
Reliable synthetic performer coming off a BM74 win and third. Distance is a query but class and fitness are proven. Maps midfield which can work on this surface.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Pink Gin | 5 | Masahiro Hashizume | A W Pike | 54kg | $2.40 |
| 2nd | 5 | Fat Albert | 2 | Jack Taplin | F & L Cornege | 52kg | $9.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Shavasana | 1 | Hayley Hassman | S Ramsay & J Ritchie | 53kg | $12.70 |
| 4th | 2 | Perfect Dividends | 6 | Ashlee Strawbridge | J & R Vance | 58kg | $2.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Vittorio Veneto | 4 | Tom Wigram | P W Lock | 59.5kg | $8.70 |
| Scr | 3 | Seamsew | 3 | Samantha Collett | M A Treweek | 60.5kg |
Melkor is the clear form standout via a strong 2nd in BM72 last start at this T/D before dropping sharply into Restricted 60. His 6:1-1-1 synthetic/track-distance record and on-pace map in a projected slow tempo give him the strongest winning chance.
Erase brings proven Cambridge Synthetic 2000m credentials including a win and last-start 2nd in Maiden company. Improving trend and likely forward map suit the slow tempo. Weight is a negative and overall strike rate is low, but track-specific form and recency make him the clearest danger to Melkor.
Solid each-way/place contender but not the strongest pure win chance on form.
The booking of Cartwright (36% at Cambridge Synthetic) signals intent, she drops from the same BM72 race Melkor ran 2nd in, and barrier 1 plus full synthetic experience help. Lightly raced profile gives upside if she improves second-up from the spell pattern.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Did The Trick | 8 | Bruno Queiroz | W Hillis & R Cole | 58.5kg | $6.30 |
| 2nd | 4 | Rosina | 4 | Rihaan Goyaram | Ben & Ryan Foote | 56kg | $3.70 |
| 3rd | 5 | Wry Smile | 2 | Floor Moerman | Samantha Logan | 56kg | $6.90 |
| 4th | 7 | Arkadus | 3 | Ashlee Strawbridge | Mrs R Masters | 52kg | $22.00 |
| 5th | 2 | Melkor | 5 | Elen Nicholas | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 60kg | $4.40 |
| 6th | 6 | Savsumfun | 1 | Matthew Cartwright | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 57.5kg | $13.00 |
| 7th | 1 | Erase | 6 | Hayley Hassman | S Ralph | 59kg | $3.70 |
| Scr | 8 | Dare You | 7 | Lynsey Satherley | S N Rees | 54kg |
El Speedy Man profiles as the clearest form horse. His synthetic record is elite, he was competitive in BM72 company last start over this exact course and distance, and he drops slightly in grade today. Progressive profile and midfield settling position suit the anticipated slow tempo perfectly. Strongest winning chance on pure form and suitability.
Allthekingshorses maps perfectly from barrier 2 with a feather weight. The class rise is offset by the massive weight advantage and ideal settling position in a slow-tempo race.
Dancin In The Dark produced the strongest recent form line when third in the key BM72 over this track and trip nine days ago. McNab sticks and the weak closers’ bias helps. However 60kg and a winless synthetic record cap his upside, making him a solid place chance rather than the win elect.
Jack In The Box is the only horse likely to lead in a projected slow-tempo 2000m. He owns three wins at the distance including a course-and-distance synthetic success.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | El Speedy Man | 7 | Samantha Collett | P Devcich | 56.5kg | $3.00 |
| 2nd | 7 | Pine Leaf | 8 | Joe Doyle | Andrew Forsman | 54kg | $3.20 |
| 3rd | 8 | Tarzador | 3 | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 54kg | $11.80 |
| 4th | 1 | Dancin In The Dark | 6 | Michael Mc Nab | R R Manning | 60kg | $4.50 |
| 5th | 2 | Jack In The Box | 5 | Tom Wigram | Ms D Andersen | 55.5kg | $9.80 |
| 6th | 6 | Allthekingshorses | 2 | Jack Taplin | S B Marsh | 52.5kg | $6.80 |
| Scr | 3 | Mister Roquette | 4 | S N Rees | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Altiplano | 1 | J W Bell | 56.5kg |
Prisca produced a dominant Bench 80 win over 2000m here last start, beating Skymax and others comprehensively. Exact track/distance specialist with rising form and retained connections. Moderate tempo and synthetic surface suit her midfield-to-finish profile.
Prometheus boasts outstanding local synthetic and 2000m credentials with multiple placings behind the likes of Skymax. Fresh off a win and maps to settle handy under the expected moderate tempo. Reliable each-way contender who handles the surface and distance better than most.
Young gelding is progressive with a 2000m synthetic win and solid 4th last week in stronger company. Perfect barrier and weight, plus proven on this surface. Maps midfield and can finish strongly. Genuine threat if the race develops as expected.
Subtle Image arrives in peak fitness after consecutive Awapuni synthetic wins over 2140m. Staying credentials and current form are excellent; the drop to 2000m is ideal.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Subtle Image | 12 | Toni Davies | Peter & Trent Didham | 57kg | $26.80 |
| 2nd | 4 | Skymax | 15 | Matthew Cartwright | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 58.5kg | $7.90 |
| 3rd | 3 | Pegasus | 2 | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | D C Lang | 59kg | $5.70 |
| 4th | 5 | Spanish Lad | 13 | Masahiro Hashizume | J W Bell | 58.5kg | $8.50 |
| 5th | 10 | Mulan Ardeche | 4 | Bruno Queiroz | S B Marsh | 54kg | $18.10 |
| 6th | 8 | Prisca | 16 | Hayley Hassman | Ms C Cameron | 56kg | $3.10 |
| 7th | 6 | Prometheus | 7 | Lynsey Satherley | P P Mirabelli | 58kg | $9.20 |
| 8th | 9 | Novak | 10 | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 56.5kg | $15.40 | |
| 9th | 2 | Love Janie | 6 | Jonathan Riddell | Ms L Latta | 59kg | $19.80 |
| 10th | 1 | Victortheinflictor | 18 | Floor Moerman | Peter & Trent Didham | 58kg | $24.60 |
| 11th | 12 | Altiplano | 11 | Tom Wigram | J W Bell | 51kg | $13.80 |
| 12th | 11 | Just A Karin | 8 | Courtney Barnes | A J Morley | 54kg | $40.00 |
| Scr | 13 | Allthekingshorses | 9 | S B Marsh | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | El Speedy Man | 3 | Samantha Collett | P Devcich | 54kg | |
| Scr | 15 | Pine Leaf | 5 | Andrew Forsman | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Tarzador | 14 | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Erase | 17 | S Ralph | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 18 | Melkor | 1 | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 54kg |
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