Ellerslie hosts an eight-race program on Saturday, with the track rated a Soft5 and the rail out 3m. The forecast is clear in Auckland leading into and on Raceday, which should see the track remain a Soft5, if not a Good4 come Saturday. Selections for each of the eight below: Ellerslie Race 1 5 Fatal Affair Fatal Affair (#5) is a 2yo Home Affairs filly making her debut for Stephen Marsh. She has created a big impression through her recent trial performances, winning both trials stylishly and showing very sharp early speed in her latest hit-out. With what looks a…

New Plymouth hosts an eight-race program on Saturday, with the track rated a Soft5 and the rail out 3m from the true position. A clear forecast in the Taranaki should see the track present no worse than a Soft5 come race one, possibly upgraded to a Good4 later in the day. Selections for each of the eight races below: New Plymouth Race 1 1 Midnight Train Midnight Train (#1) dropped back to 1400m in a fresh state at Rotorua last start and produced a very good effort for 2nd, diving late and narrowly missing. The rise to a mile on the shorter…

Wingatui hosts a nine-race program on Friday, with the track rated a Heavy8. A clear but cold forecast in Otago should see the track remain in the Soft7-Heavy8 range throughout the day. Selections for each of the nine races below: Wingatui Race 1 4 American Cheval American Cheval (#4) produced a career peak performance last start when leading throughout for a dominant win over 1400m. The drop back to 1200m is a slight query, however she again maps to settle on speed throughout, whether that be leading herself or trailing Bakers Dozen in the run. She gets another rain-affected surface…

Racing returns to Hastings for the first time since September 2024, with a six-race program set down for Thursday. A clear forecast leading into and on raceday should see the Heavy8 surface improve closer to a Soft7 by the opening event. Selections for each of the six below: Hastings Race 1 2 Countach Countach (#2) is a 3yo son of Wootton Bassett making his debut for Tony Pike. Michael McNab taking the ride from a favourable draw is a big positive and should ensure he receives every opportunity on debut. This doesn’t look the strongest maiden lineup and he appears…

Cambridge Synthetic hosts their first meeting of the year on Wednesday. Selections for each of the eight races below: Cambridge Synthetic Race 1 Madame Kleptomane (#5) produced a much improved effort for 2nd at Ellerslie last start, where she came from well back and only went down a narrow margin late. She should take further improvement from that run and looks well suited stepping up slightly in trip third-up. The more favourable draw should allow her to settle much closer in transit this time around also. She produced a peak figure third-up last preparation, and if she finds that same…

Ellerslie hosts an eight-race program on Saturday for Champagne Stakes Day, with the track currently rated a Soft5 and the rail in the true position. A clear forecast in Auckland leading into and on raceday should ensure the surface remains in excellent order throughout. Selections for each of the eight Ellerslie Saturday races below: Ellerslie Race 1 9 Silky Shuba Tip of The Day Silky Shuba (#9) resumed with a very encouraging effort at Te Rapa two weeks ago, charging home from the rear for 2nd. She should strip fitter for that outing and retains the services of George Rooke, which is a big…

Ōtaki hosts an eight-race program on Saturday, with the track currently rated a Soft5 and the rail in the true position. A clear forecast leading into raceday should ensure conditions remain no worse than a Soft5 throughout. Selections for each of the eight below: Ōtaki Race 1 1 Derrick Derrick (#1) comes into this off a fair effort for 3rd at Waipukurau last start, where he enjoyed a favourable run but was ultimately no match for the winner late. He looks better suited returning to firmer footing here and remaining at 1400m from the low draw should allow him to secure a soft run in transit.…

Riccarton Synthetic hosts a nine-race program on Thursday, with another competitive card set down for this polytrack meeting.  Selections for each of the nine below:  Riccarton Synthetic Race 1 8 Russian Blues Russian Blues (#8) comes here third-up after finishing off nicely for 3rd over this track two weeks ago. She should strip fitter for that effort and looks well suited remaining on the synthetic surface. In a race that maps to be run at a genuine tempo, Kendra Bakker should be able to settle midfield with cover, looking to finish over the top late. With further natural improvement, she looks capable…

Read on for our insider Matamata tips and midweek racing preview for Wednesday May 13 here at TAB NZ! Matamata Race 1 8 Jakama Krystal Each Way Jakama Krystal (#8) comes here third-up after a respectable effort for 4th in R75 company at Woodville last start. The locally trained 10yo mare drops sharply in grade, back into R60 company here, and looks capable of running a cheeky race if she can reproduce that latest effort. She has the tactical speed to hold a position underneath the likely leader Pure Gold, which should see her afforded every chance in transit. At…

Whanganui hosts the first jumps meeting of the year on Sunday, with an eight-race card set to be run on a Soft7 surface and the rail out 4m from the true position. A mostly clear forecast should see conditions remain relatively consistent throughout the day. Selections for each of the eight below: Whanganui Race 1 4 So Call Me So Call Me (#4) resumed with a very respectable effort on the flat at Otaki in Open Handicap company, where he was held up at a key stage before finishing strongly once clear into 3rd. He should take improvement from that run…