Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New Zealand · Sunday 23 August 2026
Our top pick won 2 of 8 races at Hawera. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Sweettest has the most compelling jumps profile in this maiden hurdle. She has placed in her last two hurdle starts on Heavy, including a close second over 3000m at Woodville last week, and is proven at the trip with the ability to handle testing ground. Jay Kozaczek stays on after riding her to both placings and has a strong Hawera record. The main query is her maiden status, but in an upset-prone maiden hurdle she is the most reliable winning chance.
Four Square Pete is a genuine threat on class and Heavy-track form, having won a 2200m BM65 on Heavy10 in July. He drops significantly in grade for a maiden hurdle, and his stable is in form. However, he is unproven over jumps, and his last two flat efforts were only fair. If he takes to hurdling cleanly, he can win, but the jumps debut is enough of a query to rank him behind the more proven Sweettest.
Island Hop has the second-most established hurdle form in the field, including a runner-up finish over 2800m and a completed 3000m Maiden Hurdle last week.
Fleur De Champ is the value runner. She comes off a second and a third in her last two Heavy10 flat starts, and her light 64kg weight is an advantage on a testing Hawera surface. Her only hurdle start was moderate, but she has since improved sharply on the flat and is still a lightly raced 4-year-old.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Les Boots | 7 | Hamish Mc Neill | A R Fieldes | 68kg | $5.50 |
| 2nd | 6 | Sweettest | 5 | Jay Kozaczek | M K Oulaghan | 66kg | $3.00 |
| 3rd | 7 | Fleur De Champ | 4 | Lemmy Douglas | J R Wheeler | 64kg | $7.30 |
| 4th | 3 | Four Square Pete | 2 | Kylan Wiles | K T Myers | 68kg | $3.80 |
| 5th | 1 | Island Hop | 8 | Bella Oliver | K T Myers | 68kg | $5.20 |
| 2 | Uncle Charlie | 1 | Joshua Parker | S C Beatson | 68kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Spinayarn | 6 | Nick Downs | Adam Scott | 68kg | |
| 8 | Thatz Bonnie | 3 | Michael Roustoby | Anne Davies | 66kg |
The most over-jumps-proven runner in this maiden hurdle, with two third placings from three starts over 3000m on Heavy 10, both with today's rider. Heavy record 2 wins from 14. Sits handy from barrier 1. Likely to be hard to beat.
Flat maiden winner on Heavy 10 over 2100m at Woodville in July, then stepped to BM65 and was well beaten. The main threat if he takes to fences, but Comedy is preferred on proven jumping form.
Has the best sustained Heavy record in the field (4 wins from 27) and his three jumps starts have improved: 7th, 5th, 4th at 3100m on Heavy 10. He lacks a genuine jumps placing but the 3100m Te Aroha run gives him staying depth.
Drops from BM65 to a maiden hurdle and receives 4kg from most rivals. Has placed at Hawera three times, including a second over 2100m on Heavy 9, and Lemmy Douglas is riding in career form (8 wins from last 20).
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Zorba | 2 | Kylan Wiles | K T Myers | 68kg | $4.70 |
| 2nd | 1 | Comedy | 1 | Hamish Mc Neill | H E Wilson | 68kg | $2.00 |
| 3rd | 7 | Keen On Bubbles | 6 | Lemmy Douglas | J R Wheeler | 64kg | $4.10 |
| 4th | 4 | Sloane Square | 5 | Joshua Parker | M K Oulaghan | 68kg | $22.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Cocktail Lad | 4 | Nick Downs | Ms G Temperton | 68kg | |
| 3 | Chester Boy | 7 | Jay Kozaczek | J R Wheeler | 68kg | ||
| 5 | Thomas Aquinas | 3 | Michael Roustoby | Trudy & Vaughan Keegan | 68kg |
Happy Star is the clear class runner of the race, with a superb Heavy-track profile and seven career jumps wins.
Red Ned owns the strongest steeplechase-specific credentials in the field, having finished second in both a 3900m maiden steeplechase by a narrow margin and a 4000m maiden steeplechase on Heavy10. He also has a Hawera victory on Heavy8 and returns to his preferred chasing discipline.
The Republican is a consistent, very fresh staying jumper who placed second in a 3000m hurdle on Heavy10 only five days ago and has been competitive in maiden company all winter. He has experience at this Hawera 3900m trip and a solid heavy-track profile with six runner-up finishes from 21 starts.
He drops back into maiden steeple company, draws barrier 1, and has plenty of chasing experience.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Happy Star | 7 | Kylan Wiles | K T Myers | 68kg | $1.30 |
| 2nd | 8 | Dorothy''s Daughter | 2 | Hamish Mc Neill | N J Quinn | 66kg | $13.50 |
| 3rd | 3 | Red Ned | 6 | Lemmy Douglas | J R Wheeler | 66kg | $6.70 |
| 4th | 5 | Go Butch | 8 | K T Myers | 68kg | $10.70 | |
| 5th | 2 | Odysseus | 1 | Nick Downs | S C Beatson | 68kg | $32.50 |
| 1 | Super Flash | 5 | Joshua Parker | M K Oulaghan | 68kg | ||
| 6 | Rocking Light | 3 | Jay Kozaczek | M K Oulaghan | 68kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | The Republican | 4 | Bella Oliver | K T Myers | 68kg |
The step to 1600m should suit an improving gelding, and the inside draw helps. He is the most likely winner in an open maiden, though the one-run sample and modest rider strike rate keep confidence in check.
Ena Sharples is a consistent heavy-track maiden with three seconds from six Heavy starts. She handled this Hawera 1600m journey last start, finishing fourth on Heavy9, and drops to a favourable 56.5kg. The knock is her failure to break through after seven attempts, but her wet-track reliability makes her a strong place chance.
He drops to maiden class and has plenty of experience at both 1600m and on Heavy tracks.
Champagne Campaign is the unknown runner with no public form to assess, but Hawera heavy maidens are genuinely open. Sarah Macnab brings strong recent riding form and a solid Hawera record, while the inside gate is workable.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Breaker Bay | 1 | Kavish Chowdhoory | M N Eales | 58.5kg | $4.80 |
| 2nd | 5 | Rocky Belle | 6 | Jonathan Riddell | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 58.5kg | $3.20 |
| 3rd | 8 | Confide | 4 | Amber Riddell | Ms L Latta | 56.5kg | $14.60 |
| 4th | 3 | Swey Fortune | 8 | George Rooke | S D Cole | 58.5kg | $7.30 |
| 5th | 2 | Brilliant Deejay | 9 | Courtney Barnes | R M Connors | 58.5kg | $17.30 |
| 6th | 7 | Ena Sharples | 7 | Mereana Hudson | S A Sharrock | 56.5kg | $3.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Mainstay | 3 | Lily Sutherland | S Nickalls | 58.5kg | $22.70 |
| 8th | 9 | Champagne Campaign | 2 | Sarah Macnab | B R Lammas | 56.5kg | $23.50 |
| Scr | 6 | Therealramsay | 5 | Leah Hemi | J Lavelle & S Rennie | 58.5kg |
Blondmoon is the strongest form play at Hawera: she has placed in three of four Heavy starts, including a close second over today's 1200m at Wanganui, and comes off a third only eight days ago. She is fit, distance-proven and fits the track's key freshness profile. A winless record and a quiet jockey book are the concerns, but she remains the most likely winner.
However, she is fresh from a 126-day spell and unproven over 1200m, having done her best work at 1300-1650m. That makes her a threat rather than the anchor selection.
Star Donna has shown enough in three starts to be a live chance, finishing second and third over today's 1200m on Heavy ground before a poor Open-class run. Dropping back to maiden company and drawing the inside gate are positives, while 22 days between runs keeps her fresh.
She has placed in both 1200m starts, including a third at Hawera over today's track and trip, and her only first-up run produced a second. The query is wet ground - she has no Heavy form - but Hawera Heavy stats say wet pedigree is only a tie-breaker, not a filter.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | State Secret | 8 | George Rooke | S D Cole | 55kg | $6.40 |
| 2nd | 1 | Blondmoon | 6 | Mereana Hudson | C A Bambry | 57.5kg | $6.20 |
| 3rd | 7 | Fleurs Star | 5 | Toni Davies | S A Sharrock | 56.5kg | $11.60 |
| 4th | 6 | Marge | 3 | Jim Chung | Ms T Bliss | 56.5kg | $9.40 |
| 5th | 4 | Derrynger | 4 | Crystal Lindsay | P G Keegan | 54.5kg | $12.80 |
| 6th | 2 | Guiding Light | 9 | Samantha Collett | S Ramsay & J Ritchie | 57.5kg | $3.10 |
| 7th | 8 | Adlerian | 2 | Erin M Leighton | Ms A M O''brien | 57.5kg | $19.80 |
| 8th | 3 | Star Donna | 1 | Sarah Macnab | B R Lammas | 57.5kg | $7.20 |
| 9th | 5 | Irish Rose | 7 | Courtney Barnes | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 57.5kg | $11.30 |
Satomi is the clear form line, having finished runner-up in two straight staying maidens on Heavy before another second most recently. His heavy-track record is consistent and he returns quickly after 9 days, matching Hawera's preference for fresh, in-form runners. The main query is a 0-from-13 record, but this is a winnable maiden and his consistency rates highest.
Boots To Fill has done little wrong in two career starts, finishing a close fourth over 2060m on Heavy10 after placing on debut. He is entitled to improve again over the extra ground. The query is the winless profile and a cold recent rider run, but his early form makes him the second-most likely winner.
Heavenly Blessed ran arguably her best race last time, finishing third over 2200m on Heavy10 and only a fraction behind Satomi while carrying 2kg less than that rival. She is 3kg better off today and continues to trend upwards.
Colgate is an inconsistent but dangerous value runner.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Ballinran | 8 | Erin M Leighton | N J Quinn | 58.5kg | $8.20 |
| 2nd | 1 | Satomi | 7 | Samantha Collett | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 58.5kg | $5.60 |
| 3rd | 3 | Colgate | 6 | Bruno Queiroz | S & E Clotworthy | 58.5kg | $10.80 |
| 4th | 9 | Betty Willdoit | 10 | Leah Hemi | J Lavelle & S Rennie | 56.5kg | $11.90 |
| 5th | 2 | Boots To Fill | 4 | Jonathan Riddell | R M Connors | 58.5kg | $3.70 |
| 6th | 5 | Hill Billy | 2 | Sarah Macnab | Kayla Macnab | 58.5kg | $35.70 |
| 7th | 4 | Just Ted | 9 | Lily Sutherland | K T Myers | 58.5kg | $16.10 |
| 8th | 10 | Heavenly Blessed | 11 | Jim Chung | C J Bothwell | 55.5kg | $3.50 |
| 9th | 7 | Teams | 1 | Kelly Myers | D R Wiles | 58.5kg | $43.60 |
| 10th | 8 | Rebel Rouser | 5 | George Rooke | S D Cole | 58.5kg | $22.80 |
| Scr | 11 | Confide | 3 | Ms L Latta | 56.5kg |
Madam Zara is the standout conditions horse. She has two wins from six starts over this Hawera 2100m trip, three wins from fifteen heavy-track runs, and previously won this Restricted 60 on Heavy 8. She drops back to that class, draws the fence, and holds a solid second-up record.
However, he has not placed in three Hawera starts and is winless from three attempts at 2100m, which leaves doubt about his suitability for the exact conditions. He should be in the finish if the trip is run to suit, but he rates behind Madam Zara on course/distance evidence.
Starpello has already won over course and distance and ran third on Heavy 10 over 2100m two starts ago. He is back after 22 days and should be competitive in this grade. The last-start 10th is a concern, and his overall win rate is low, but his proven track and trip profile makes him a solid place chance behind the top two.
Leprekhan has finished second in two of three starts at Hawera 2100 on Heavy and owns a 16-start Heavy record with five placings.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Leprekhan | 15 | Erin M Leighton | N J Quinn | 57.5kg | $10.30 |
| 2nd | 15 | Come To Terms | 5 | Mereana Hudson | P D Pascoe | 54.5kg | $18.50 |
| 3rd | 10 | Carignan | 13 | Lily Sutherland | K T Myers | 56.5kg | $6.60 |
| 4th | 14 | Jacks Pride | 3 | Sarah Macnab | B R Lammas | 54.5kg | $25.10 |
| 5th | 9 | Madam Zara | 1 | Rohan Mudhoo | P G Keegan | 56.5kg | $22.60 |
| 6th | 1 | Star Warrior | 6 | Courtney Barnes | D R Wiles | 60kg | $16.30 |
| 7th | 5 | Romanin | 12 | Leah Hemi | S Ramsay & J Ritchie | 58kg | $19.00 |
| 8th | 4 | Knickerless | 4 | Jonathan Riddell | Ms L Latta | 58kg | $9.90 |
| 9th | 13 | Uhtred | 14 | Chris Dell | S L Cameron | 56.5kg | $28.10 |
| 10th | 7 | Beavertown Lass | 10 | Kelly Myers | A M Bull | 57.5kg | $20.10 |
| 11th | 2 | Starpello | 11 | Amber Riddell | Ms L Latta | 59.5kg | $13.60 |
| 12th | 12 | Quill | 8 | Bruno Queiroz | Ms P M Mason | 56.5kg | $4.20 |
| 13th | 3 | Towrope | 2 | George Rooke | W J Thurlow | 59kg | $12.50 |
| 14th | 11 | He''s All Fabulous | 9 | Samantha Collett | B R Lammas | 56.5kg | $8.80 |
| Scr | 6 | Vespacian | 7 | A J Dravitzki | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Giveusawink | 10 | Joshua Shaw | 56.5kg |
Perfect Pete has the strongest overall profile for this Hawera Heavy8 R60. He was a close third on Heavy10 last start, has already won over 1400m, and drops back from BM65 company. His heavy-track record is more about placings than wins, but the consistency, fitness and class relief outweigh that concern.
Rippanall is the chief threat on class and Hawera suitability. His third over today's 1400m at this track in BM65 two runs back reads well, and he has already won on Heavy9. The concern is his last-start failure on Heavy10 and the 60kg impost. With Samantha Collett's strong Hawera record and a drop to R60, he can bounce back into the placings.
Lady Anglesea is the improver. She ran third over 1300m on Heavy10, then fourth over 1400m on Heavy10 two starts back, and Queiroz is an aggressive booking for a stable that clearly has her ready. The five-day back-up is a minor concern, but the drop back to 1400m, low weight and inside barrier give her strong place claims in an open R60.
Miss Dixie is a genuine Hawera Heavy specialist who was narrowly beaten in a BM65 over 1200m here two weeks ago.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Rippanall | 9 | Samantha Collett | W J Thurlow | 60kg | $4.10 |
| 2nd | 6 | Redana | 11 | Amber Riddell | Ms L Latta | 57.5kg | $10.90 |
| 3rd | 3 | Perfect Pete | 10 | Toni Davies | A R Campbell | 58.5kg | $4.40 |
| 4th | 5 | Breadwinner | 7 | Mereana Hudson | S A Sharrock | 58kg | $13.90 |
| 5th | 10 | Wuruhi | 8 | Leah Hemi | P D Pascoe | 56kg | $35.40 |
| 6th | 9 | Highly Anticipated | 2 | Sarah Macnab | S L Cameron | 56kg | $10.20 |
| 7th | 4 | Sacred Combatant | 5 | George Rooke | B Wallace & G Cooksley | 59kg | $6.20 |
| 8th | 11 | Lady Anglesea | 3 | Bruno Queiroz | Ms L Latta | 54.5kg | $8.20 |
| 9th | 7 | Malacca Bay | 1 | Jim Chung | P R Peake | 56.5kg | $25.20 |
| 10th | 1 | Blue Rata Warea | 4 | Hyeontaek Oh | Trudy & Vaughan Keegan | 56kg | $22.30 |
| 11th | 8 | Miss Dixie | 6 | Crystal Lindsay | A M Clement | 53.5kg | $16.40 |
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