{"id":30774,"date":"2026-07-18T07:44:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T19:44:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=30774"},"modified":"2026-07-18T07:44:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T19:44:11","slug":"new-plymouth-tips-preview-saturday-18-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/07\/new-plymouth-tips-preview-saturday-18-july\/","title":{"rendered":"New Plymouth Tips & Preview | Saturday 18 July"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New Plymouth hosts an eight-race program for Opunake Cup Day on Saturday, with the track rated a Heavy10 and the rail in the true position. A clear forecast through till raceday will aid the track, but the damage may have already been done earlier in the week. Expecting it to remain Heavy for the duration of the card, possibly very testing later in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selections for each of the eight races below:<\/p>\n\n\n

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New Plymouth Race 1<\/div>\n
5 Misissipi Gambler<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Misissipi Gambler (#5) heads here off a last-start 2nd in R65 company at Rotorua, where she was jumping out of the ground late over 1400m that day. She looks very well placed in this MAAT race, where she\u2019ll carry just 54.5kg after Sam McNab\u2019s claim. Expect her to settle back in the field from her wider draw and again be looking to finish off hard late. Looks the one they have to beat.<\/p>\n

New Plymouth R1 – SEATON PARK<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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4th<\/span><\/div>
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5. Misissipi Gambler (8)<\/span>
J: Sam McNab<\/span> 56.5kg<\/span><\/div>
50X12<\/span>T: Ben & Ryan Foote<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2.60<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.28<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 18\/07\/2026 01:18:03 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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New Plymouth Race 2<\/div>\n
1 Bokushi<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Bokushi (#1) is a 3yo son of Swiss Ace coming here off a short freshen for local trainer Robbie Patterson. He was last sighted finishing a close-up 2nd here over 1400m, where he led and fought on well in the straight. He\u2019s had a trial to keep him ticking over since, where he looked to get through the Heavy conditions nicely when winning the trial. Craig Grylls takes the reins from the wide draw, and I\u2019m expecting him to roll forward and take up a prominent position again here. The one to beat.<\/p>\n

New Plymouth R2 – KTEC ENGINEERING MDN<\/span> <\/div>
Closed<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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1. Bokushi (8)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 58.5kg<\/span><\/div>
32422<\/span>T: Robbie Patterson<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2.10<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.18<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 18\/07\/2026 12:54:48 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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New Plymouth Race 3<\/div>\n
2 Beauesk<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Beauesk<\/span>\u00a0(#2) was last seen savaging the line at Waverley from the back last start, coming up just short and having to settle for 2nd. He gets a positive swing in barriers for this, where he should be able to position a pair or two closer to the speed in this smaller field.\u00a0<\/span>He\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0be as suited as any by the prospect of a Heavy track, can go one better here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Plymouth R3 – SANDFORDS RURAL CARRIERS<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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3rd<\/span><\/div>
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2. Beauesk (3)<\/span>
J: Jim Chung<\/span> 59kg<\/span><\/div>
27512<\/span>T: Robbie Patterson<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
5.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.70<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 18\/07\/2026 02:30:19 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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New Plymouth Race 4<\/div>\n
5 Performer<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Performer (#5) is a locally trained 3yo son of Circus Maximus who ran a very respectable race on debut for 2nd at Rotorua, where he led throughout only to be run down late. He should have taken plenty of improvement from the experience and looks suited getting back to his home track here. The blinkers going on is a big positive and should sharpen him up significantly for this. Expect to see him up on speed throughout again under Grylls, he looks set to give a big sight.<\/p>\n

New Plymouth R4 – COASTAL AGRISERVICES<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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2nd<\/span><\/div>
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5. Performer (4)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 57kg<\/span><\/div>
2<\/span>T: Robbie Patterson<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
6.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.95<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 18\/07\/2026 03:13:23 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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New Plymouth Race 5<\/div>\n
9 Belles Fate<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Each Way<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Belles Fate (#9) comes into this third-up off two\u00a0<\/span>somewhat forgivable<\/span>\u00a0efforts this campaign. She should strip fitter heading here and looks suited getting back to a Heavy track on her home deck. She slides back in grade for this and gains the services of Craig Grylls for this assignment. The wide draw may prove\u00a0<\/span>advantageous<\/span>\u00a0come this stage of the day, where Grylls should have her mounting her run in the best part of the track. Capable of running a\u00a0<\/span>much improved<\/span>\u00a0race at odds.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Plymouth R5 – UNIVERSAL BEEF PACKERS<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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12th<\/span><\/div>
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9. Belles Fate (9)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 58kg<\/span><\/div>
58000<\/span>T: Robbie Patterson<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
19.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
5.50<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 18\/07\/2026 03:48:39 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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New Plymouth Race 6<\/div>\n
10 Afterglo<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Tip of The Day<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Afterglo<\/span>\u00a0(#10) came from a long way back to win impressively at\u00a0<\/span>Te<\/span>\u00a0Rapa last start, balancing up late and attacking the line over the final 50m. She goes up in grade but\u00a0<\/span>retains<\/span>\u00a0George Rooke in the saddle down in the weights.\u00a0<\/span>She\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0appreciate the Heavy conditions as much as any here and should be in the best part of the track from her wider draw. Hard to beat again.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Plymouth R6 – TARANAKI BUILDING LTD<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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2nd<\/span><\/div>
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10. Afterglo (9)<\/span>
J: George Rooke<\/span> 54.5kg<\/span><\/div>
0X451<\/span>T: Stephen Autridge<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
4.60<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.90<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 18\/07\/2026 04:23:08 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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New Plymouth Race 7<\/div>\n
14 Platinum Diamond<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Platinum Diamond (#14)\u00a0<\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0fire last start at Tauranga, where she\u00a0<\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0look to be travelling a long way out and\u00a0<\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0appear to be overly comfortable in what was her first attempt going right-handed. Back left-handed here and\u00a0<\/span>remaining<\/span>\u00a0on a Heavy track should give her every chance to bounce back, while the stable have also tinkered with her gear ahead of this. Expect her to get well back in the field from her wide draw, where Joe Doyle will be looking to get her to the outside and finishing off hard late. Can take this out with her best.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Plymouth R7 – AGFIRST ENGINEERING OPUNAKE CUP (L)<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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7th<\/span><\/div>
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14. Platinum Diamond (8)<\/span>
J: Joe Doyle<\/span> 53kg<\/span><\/div>
69270<\/span>T: Lisa Latta<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
10.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
3.30<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 18\/07\/2026 05:00:00 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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New Plymouth Race 8<\/div>\n
5 Astoria Brooke<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Astoria Brooke (#5) bounced back to form with an easy win at\u00a0<\/span>Te<\/span>\u00a0Rapa last start, where she was afforded a soft run in transit and put her rivals away late. Craig Grylls takes over the riding duties from a favourable draw, where\u00a0<\/span>he\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>likely allow<\/span>\u00a0her to find her feet midfield with cover, giving her every chance to run out the 1800m. She has a great record on Heavy\u00a0<\/span>tracks<\/span>\u00a0and this field looks no tougher than what she accounted for last start. Can go on with her winning ways.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Plymouth R8 – SINCLAIR ELECTRICAL & REFRIGERATION HCP<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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10th<\/span><\/div>
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5. Astoria Brooke (4)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 56.5kg<\/span><\/div>
04461<\/span>T: Tony Pike<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
4.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.65<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 18\/07\/2026 05:32:35 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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\"Oamaru<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

Oamaru Tips & Preview | Sunday 19 July<\/h2>
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\"New<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

New Plymouth Tips & Preview | Saturday 18 July<\/h2>
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\"Ruakaka<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

Ruakaka Tips & Preview | Saturday 18 July<\/h2>
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