Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New Zealand · Thursday 3 September 2026
Our top pick won 3 of 10 races at Te Aroha. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Clear form standout for this specific Maiden Hurdle setup. Two prior thirds over 3100m Heavy at Te Aroha in the grade, plus further hurdle experience, give him the strongest suitability edge. Slow tempo and inside draw aid.
Solid second on form. Competitive 4th in Maiden Hurdle 10 days ago after dictating, plus genuine Heavy wins and BM65 success. Maps to settle handy enough under slow tempo. Slightly shorter than fair but reliable threat who handles the wet and has had a jumps hit-out. Strong each-way claims behind the course specialist.
However jumps debut over 3100m Heavy is a major unknown that caps winning chance below the two proven hurdlers. Include for place/exotics as the class horse if she negotiates the obstacles, but not the most likely winner on evidence.
Overlay value. Sole prior hurdle was over this track/distance on Heavy when 5th. Lifetime Heavy stats excellent and barrier/map allow him to control or sit handy in the projected slow tempo. Solid each-way speculative.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Heza Warrior | 4 | Bella Oliver | D R Wiles | 65kg | $9.80 |
| 2nd | 6 | Outovstock | 5 | Jay Kozaczek | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 68kg | $3.10 |
| 3rd | 2 | Four Square Pete | 8 | Kylan Wiles | K T Myers | 68kg | $4.10 |
| 4th | 9 | Rosina | 2 | C J Wiles | Ben & Ryan Foote | 66kg | $4.30 |
| 5th | 8 | Our Easy Street | 7 | H A Mc Neill | S & E Clotworthy | 66kg | $7.90 |
| 6th | 4 | Doctor Livingstone | 9 | Joshua Parker | Ms L De Lautour | 68kg | $12.80 |
| 7th | 7 | Rex | 1 | Billy Marshall | D R Wiles | 65kg | $47.80 |
| 8th | 3 | Sweet Taboo | 6 | M J Roustoby | Shelley Wright | 67kg | $67.30 |
| 9th | 5 | Mister Roquette | 3 | S Karnicnik | S N Rees | 68kg | $19.90 |
Happy Star is the clearest form horse. Outstanding heavy and jumps credentials, recent winning form and an on-pace draw map perfectly into a slow-tempo 3100m hurdle on Heavy 8. Best chance to win.
Dictation gets the perfect map as lone leader on a slow Heavy 8 tempo over 3100m. Wet-proven and distance-capable with solid jumps stats. Should control and be hard to run down if jumping cleanly.
Roc Up Ralph owns this track and distance with two wins from two, including a narrow victory over Jake here last month. Excellent jumps strike rate and wet form. Map is the main query on a slow tempo, yet class and course suitability keep him firmly in the first three.
Jake offers clear value. Outstanding record at Te Aroha over 3100m and a close second to Roc Up Ralph on this track last start. Light weight and inside gate help.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Squire | 3 | Luca Remondet | P & J Brosnan | 65.5kg | $4.40 |
| 2nd | 5 | Jake | 1 | C J Wiles | P & J Brosnan | 65.5kg | $11.80 |
| 3rd | 2 | Dictation | 2 | Jay Kozaczek | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 68kg | $4.40 |
| 4th | 6 | The Belvoir | 6 | Joshua Parker | B B Beatson | 65kg | $10.40 |
| 5th | 7 | Juwala | 7 | Billy Marshall | Sarah West | 65kg | $22.80 |
| 1 | Happy Star | 4 | Kylan Wiles | K T Myers | 70kg | ||
| 3 | Roc Up Ralph | 5 | H A Mc Neill | S & E Clotworthy | 66kg |
In-form mare who took out a BM65 over 2200m Heavy last start and placed at Te Aroha previously. Ideal conditions and weight drop suit.
Clear upside and wet ability, but thin form and class jump mean he is vulnerable. Include for place/exotics rather than sole win reliance given open BM65 profile and midweek volatility.
Clear form standout on Heavy. Proven BM65 wet performer who ran 2nd over this trip recently and holds strong Te Aroha credentials. Backmarker style suits moderate tempo and drying Heavy 8.
Recent Heavy 2200m maiden winner who can settle on-pace. Class rise is a risk but wet ability and tempo setup create genuine overlay value in an open BM65.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Because | 4 | Lucy Klee | R R Manning | 68.5kg | $9.10 |
| 2nd | 6 | Air Dancer | 1 | Alexandra Reed | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 67kg | $15.80 |
| 3rd | 14 | Middle Khan | 3 | Tyler Porteous | R Gavin | 66.5kg | $45.20 |
| 4th | 10 | Our Jasmine | 11 | M K Northcott | S T Wenn | 66.5kg | $6.90 |
| 5th | 7 | Raajoices | 2 | Charlie Wallace-Pram | Ms C Cameron | 67kg | $7.90 |
| 6th | 11 | Impaired Vision | 6 | O M Helagi | M B Garrett | 66.5kg | $59.50 |
| 7th | 9 | Opera Belle | 9 | L E Kennedy | Ms K A Hoskin | 66.5kg | $7.30 |
| 8th | 8 | Star Warrior | 12 | Skye du Plessis | D R Wiles | 67kg | $7.10 |
| 9th | 2 | The Bossman | 10 | S K Macnab | K T Myers | 69kg | $3.30 |
| 10th | 3 | All That I Am | 7 | Caydence Patel | S & E Clotworthy | 68.5kg | $15.70 |
| 11th | 13 | Uhtred | 5 | N A Smith | S L Cameron | 66.5kg | $25.80 |
| 12th | 12 | Little Darling | 8 | A E Taiaroa | G K Opie | 66.5kg | $50.50 |
| Scr | 1 | In A Pickle | 7 | Hannah Wilson | R R Manning | 69.5kg | |
| Scr | 5 | Sidetrack | 1 | Monique Dey | D M O'leary | 68.5kg | |
| Scr | 15 | Concise | 15 | Ms S Hale | 66.5kg |
Taika holds the strongest pure form case in this Maiden Steeple. Five jumps wins, five Heavy wins and a prior Te Aroha victory give him clear class superiority. Barrier 1 and on-pace role under a projected slow tempo on Heavy 8 maximise his chance. Despite some ordinary recent hurdle runs he drops sharply in grade and maps perfectly.
Mont Ventoux brings rock-solid consistency and genuine Heavy-track ability. Experience and wet form are elite for this grade. Maps to control or stalk the slow tempo effectively and rates the clearest each-way alternative on form.
The Republican arrives in career-best form after a fighting neck second over hurdles on Heavy. Consistent placings and proven wet ability keep him in the finish. Barrier 2 helps, yet the midfield map is less ideal under a genuine slow tempo and he lacks deep steeple seasoning. Still a clear top-three chance on recent trajectory and conditions suitability.
Dorothy's Daughter offers clear value. Her latest second in a Maiden Steeple on Heavy is the most relevant form in the field and she carries only 66kg. Ideal each-way or place play in a volatile maiden jumps race.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Rocem | 3 | Luca Remondet | P & J Brosnan | 66kg | $29.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Taika | 1 | Joshua Parker | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 68kg | $1.90 |
| 3rd | 6 | Dorothy's Daughter | 7 | H A Mc Neill | N J Quinn | 66kg | $8.70 |
| 4th | 2 | Mont Ventoux | 4 | N H Downs | R P Liefting | 68kg | $6.20 |
| 5th | 1 | Zac Flash | 5 | Billy Marshall | D M O'leary | 65kg | $17.20 |
| 6th | 3 | Metallo | 6 | Jay Kozaczek | Ms L De Lautour | 68kg | $28.80 |
| 5 | The Republican | 2 | Kylan Wiles | K T Myers | 68kg |
Barrier 4 perfect for Heavy 8 Te Aroha bias favouring inside on-pacers. Moderate tempo suits her midfield-forward style. Connections firing. Most likely winner on pure wet form and map.
Solid each-way threat. Latest Te Rapa Heavy 8 3rd was career-best despite traffic. Prior Te Aroha heavy runs competitive. On-pace draw and map ideal for midweek heavy bias. Carries topweight but has handled 58.5kg before. Consistent without winning; ready to peak in this weaker maiden.
Reliable place chance with upside. Two solid 4ths including held-up Te Aroha Heavy 10 run. Grylls booking a major plus (17% here). Barrier and midfield map workable on drying Heavy 8. Maiden volatility high but pattern of improvement and local knowledge give him strong claims for the minors or boilover.
Genuine value roughie. Inside alley huge on Heavy 8 Te Aroha where leaders/on-pace and low draws dominate. Now drawn to settle closer. Each-way appeal in volatile maiden.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Aim Up | 6 | C J Grylls | D C Lang | 58.5kg | $6.00 |
| 2nd | 9 | Kalgarry Ally | 4 | S T Collett | Darryn & Briar Weatherley | 56.5kg | $5.50 |
| 3rd | 6 | Divider | 5 | J Nishizuka | Ms P Gerard | 55.5kg | $21.00 |
| 4th | 11 | Able Dancer | 1 | E M Leighton | Ms D Waddell | 56.5kg | $16.40 |
| 5th | 2 | Hit The Gas | 11 | G Rooke | S D Cole | 58.5kg | $19.80 |
| 6th | 3 | Requisite | 12 | Hayley Hassman | Ms K Stead | 57.5kg | $6.40 |
| 7th | 12 | Lady Meera | 3 | L H Satherley | Tayla Sherwood | 56.5kg | $14.30 |
| 8th | 8 | Rock On Ozzy | 2 | A Lawson-Carroll | Ceton Pool | 58.5kg | $52.80 |
| 9th | 14 | Millennium Magic | 10 | Ethan Jones | Ms C Cameron | 56.5kg | $13.20 |
| 10th | 7 | Highflying Ace | 7 | J J Fawcett | V A Prendergast | 58.5kg | $8.50 |
| 11th | 1 | Dragonstone | 8 | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | Ms D Logan | 58.5kg | $5.80 |
| 12th | 13 | Bella Fino | 9 | Matthew Cartwright | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 56.5kg | $14.50 |
| Scr | 5 | Kinross | 5 | S & E Clotworthy | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Long Island | 12 | Tom Wigram | Ms D Logan | 53.5kg |
Duke Of Plumpton stands out on pure form as the most likely winner. Recent Te Aroha steeple victory and strong second in restricted company confirm peak fitness and jumping ability. Excellent jumps record and heavy-track wins outweigh map concerns on a slow tempo.
Brucie offers the strongest each-way threat with rock-solid recent steeple form. Near-miss leading over extreme distance last start shows he thrives in these conditions. On-pace draw and light weight suit the slow heavy tempo perfectly. Consistent place record on wet tracks makes him highly reliable for the minors.
Nedwin’s unmatched heavy-track record and prior win at this exact track and distance keep him firmly in calculations despite age and last-start failure. On-pace style suits the predicted slow tempo on drying heavy. Weight is a negative but class edge and wet specialization provide a clear pathway if he jumps cleanly.
Prince Turbo is the clear value runner. Unbroken sequence of placings in similar heavy steeples shows he is in peak consistent form and rarely runs a bad race. Inside barrier and midfield settle suit Te Aroha heavy conditions.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Smug | 1 | M J Roustoby | C J Wood | 65kg | $7.90 |
| 2nd | 9 | Zee Heights | 3 | Bella Oliver | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 65kg | $20.90 |
| 3rd | 7 | Duke Of Plumpton | 7 | H A Mc Neill | C E Myers | 65kg | $2.40 |
| 4th | 4 | Prince Turbo | 4 | Kylan Wiles | K T Myers | 65kg | $7.90 |
| 5th | 2 | Brucie | 9 | Billy Marshall | R M Connors | 65kg | $5.20 |
| 6th | 6 | Auld Jock | 2 | Luca Remondet | P & J Brosnan | 65kg | $12.90 |
| 7th | 8 | Hey Hey Hey | 6 | Joshua Parker | W S Moorehead | 65kg | $30.00 |
| 1 | Nedwin | 8 | C J Wiles | P Nelson & C Mcdougal | 69kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Jakama Krystal | 8 | P & J Brosnan | 65kg | ||
| 10 | Sound Of Silence | 5 | Jay Kozaczek | D J Blackie | 65kg |
Gin And Bare It maps to lead in a fast-tempo Heavy sprint where on-pace types dominate at Te Aroha.
Chatelle Rose brings proven Heavy form and a winning first-up return. Settles on-pace from barrier 7 in a race that favours early settlers. Second-up and Doyle booking keep her tightly in the win mix behind the leader.
Rocking is a genuine Heavy specialist who has won and placed repeatedly in the grade on wet tracks.
Hey Hey Baby thrives on Heavy going and maps perfectly from barrier 1 with a light weight.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Chatelle Rose | 6 | Joe Doyle | F & L Cornege | 57.5kg | $7.20 |
| 2nd | 2 | Moneypenny | 7 | Sam McNab | Barbara Kennedy | 56kg | $16.80 |
| 3rd | 9 | Hey Hey Baby | 1 | Rihaan Goyaram | R R Manning | 53.5kg | $24.80 |
| 4th | 12 | Gin And Bare It | 8 | J Nishizuka | Ms K Fawcett | 51.5kg | $4.40 |
| 5th | 5 | Landlock | 5 | S T Collett | C W Cole | 57kg | $11.50 |
| 6th | 7 | Purosangue | 4 | M Hashizume | L O'sullivan & A Scott | 56.5kg | $7.70 |
| 7th | 11 | Bolli Belle | 2 | M J Mc Nab | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 54.5kg | $6.90 |
| 8th | 13 | Jelly Roll | 3 | Tom Wigram | Samantha Logan | 51.5kg | $54.40 |
| 9th | 4 | Rocking | 9 | W B Kennedy | Ms D Logan | 57kg | $14.10 |
| 10th | 6 | Espadas | 13 | C J Grylls | S & E Clotworthy | 56.5kg | $4.20 |
| 11th | 10 | Digger | 12 | L H Satherley | D B Hollinshead | 55.5kg | $88.20 |
| 12th | 1 | Takeshi | 11 | Abhay Seesa | Danny Walker & Arron Tata | 55kg | $56.20 |
| 13th | 14 | Pollyisacracker | 10 | Sienna Brown | G K Opie | 51kg | $118.50 |
| Scr | 8 | French Doll | 2 | Matthew Cartwright | Joseph Waldron | 55.5kg |
Overrated is the clear form and conditions top pick on Heavy 8. Superior wet credentials, perfect leader map from barrier 2 and light weight exploit Te Aroha’s strong on-pace mile bias. Rooke’s current form adds intent.
Rudyard brings the best recent Open-level form with consecutive 1600m seconds, including a Heavy 8 lead-and-run second. Distance proven and maps to race prominently. Pure heavy stats are ordinary but the latest run removes that query.
Khan Hunter is the value overlay. Maps to share the lead in a race where on-pace runners dominate Te Aroha miles on heavy ground, especially midweek.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Overrated | 2 | G Rooke | M B Garrett | 54kg | $4.00 |
| 2nd | 1 | Joshua Brown | 4 | L H Satherley | L R Gussey | 60kg | $5.70 |
| 3rd | 7 | She'll Be Right | 3 | C R Barnes | Ms L M Laing | 54kg | $21.10 |
| 4th | 4 | Solidify | 7 | Matthew Cartwright | G A & D G Rogerson & Clint Isdale | 55kg | $4.30 |
| 5th | 8 | Mister Pucci | 1 | J Nishizuka | G K Opie | 51kg | $31.30 |
| 6th | 6 | Principled | 5 | Tom Wigram | P S Richards | 51kg | $2.60 |
| 7th | 2 | Khan Hunter | 6 | M Cameron | A D Fuller | 58.5kg | $13.20 |
| Scr | 3 | Rudyard | 8 | J J Fawcett | Ms D C Kennedy | 56kg |
Hip Flask is the clearest form horse. All three starts on Heavy at 1400m produced two seconds and a close fourth after leading. Inside draw and leader map exploit Te Aroha heavy bias toward on-pace runners. Weight drop to 56.5kg helps.
Must Bee brings the next-best wet credentials with consecutive Heavy 1400 thirds, one at this track. Settles handy enough to avoid the backmarker curse on Te Aroha heavy. Solid each-way profile in a volatile maiden.
Super Patch produced a genuine debut third on Heavy after racing handy and hitting the front. Maps perfectly into the favoured on-pace zone at Te Aroha. Second-up progression expected and the moderate tempo should allow a clean run.
Bacana stepped up markedly last start for a 2-length fourth on Heavy 8 at 1400m after a plain synthetic debut. Barrier 5 gives options and the jockey is in form. Clear value overlay for each-way or place.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Hip Flask | 1 | Sam McNab | C R Mccarroll | 56.5kg | $3.20 |
| 2nd | 4 | Bacana | 4 | J J Fawcett | A Oliveira | 58.5kg | $7.30 |
| 3rd | 5 | Papparazzi | 9 | G Rooke | Ms P Gerard | 58.5kg | $6.30 |
| 4th | 2 | Magee | 6 | Sienna Brown | Ms D Waddell | 55.5kg | $38.80 |
| 5th | 6 | Iron Throne | 8 | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | D C Lang | 58.5kg | $10.80 |
| 6th | 7 | President Fir | 7 | E M Leighton | Ms D Logan | 58.5kg | $15.30 |
| 7th | 8 | Ghost In Th'castle | 2 | L H Satherley | W D Larsen | 58.5kg | $77.10 |
| 8th | 10 | Must Bee | 3 | Hayley Hassman | S & E Clotworthy | 55.5kg | $5.30 |
| 9th | 9 | King Of The Jungle | 12 | Tom Wigram | Ms D Logan | 55.5kg | $30.20 |
| 10th | 3 | Super Patch | 5 | C R Barnes | S C Phelan | 58.5kg | $12.10 |
| 11th | 12 | Luella | 11 | Joe Doyle | Ms M Falconer | 56.5kg | $14.30 |
| 12th | 11 | Freya | 10 | J Nishizuka | S Ralph | 53.5kg | $64.50 |
| Scr | 13 | Sally Gee | 3 | Ashlee Strawbridge | E P Green | 51kg |
Clear form standout for Heavy 8. Narrow 2nd last start in this grade on Heavy, prior Heavy maiden win, and light weight with forward map. Midweek Te Aroha favours wet-proven on-pacers; she maps ideally and carries minimal weight. Fast tempo should not hurt given her settling pattern.
Excellent last-start effort when 2nd at 1400m Heavy BM65, plus prior R60 Heavy win. Barrier 4 and on-pace map perfect for Te Aroha Heavy bias and midweek pattern. Fast tempo suits her tactical position. Strong winning chance overlooked relative to form.
Reliable wet performer with Te Aroha Heavy placing and maiden win on Heavy. Barrier 3 is a major plus under rail-out and Heavy conditions. Recent BM65 3rd keeps him honest. Weight is a query but form and map keep him in the first three chances.
Second-up record is strong and she won her maiden on Heavy at the trip. Fresh run 17 days ago was acceptable; McNab returns with a solid strike rate on her. Clear overlay for each-way value.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Ocean Road | 13 | Sam McNab | Ms P Wilkinson | 56.5kg | $10.40 |
| 2nd | 11 | Gracetheace | 14 | G Rooke | G K Opie | 56.5kg | $6.30 |
| 3rd | 1 | Golden Point | 2 | A Lawson-Carroll | Ms A S Johnson | 59kg | $8.50 |
| 4th | 13 | Koro's Princess | 6 | J J Fawcett | G K Opie | 56kg | $45.00 |
| 5th | 8 | She's A Surprise | 4 | Joe Doyle | Darryn & Briar Weatherley | 57kg | $19.90 |
| 6th | 2 | Yokozuna | 12 | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | Ms D Logan | 59kg | $6.40 |
| 7th | 12 | Shuffle The Pack | 8 | M J Mc Nab | R R Manning | 56.5kg | $14.10 |
| 8th | 5 | Girlzgirlzgirlz | 9 | Tom Wigram | Ms D Logan | 54.5kg | $10.20 |
| 9th | 10 | Withallmygrace | 11 | M Hashizume | Ms J K Mahoney | 57kg | $11.90 |
| 10th | 7 | She Suits Herself | 7 | Cooper Stumbles | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 53kg | $28.70 |
| 11th | 9 | Vadanova | 3 | Hayley Hassman | S & E Clotworthy | 56kg | $10.70 |
| 12th | 6 | Elle Mcfab | 5 | W B Kennedy | D G Greene | 57kg | $6.40 |
| 13th | 3 | Bell Time Potae | 1 | Ashlee Strawbridge | L A Winters | 55.5kg | $33.30 |
| 14th | 14 | Sally | 10 | Sienna Brown | G K Opie | 53kg | $49.00 |
| Scr | 15 | Smart Tip | 15 | S Ralph | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 16 | Ridgeview Vicky | 8 | G K Opie | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | King William | 11 | E P Green | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 18 | Highly Anticipated | 1 | S L Cameron | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 19 | Robbie Burns | 14 | Kevin & Annette Hinton | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 20 | She'll Be Right | 9 | Ms L M Laing | 55.5kg |
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