{"id":30990,"date":"2026-07-24T23:08:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T11:08:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=30990"},"modified":"2026-07-24T23:36:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T11:36:53","slug":"te-aroha-tips-preview-sunday-26-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/07\/te-aroha-tips-preview-sunday-26-july\/","title":{"rendered":"Te Aroha Tips & Preview | Sunday 26 July"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Te Aroha hosts a nine-race program on Sunday, with a mix of jumping and flat races across the card. The track is rated a Heavy10 and the rail is in the true position. Further rain is forecast ahead of raceday, ensuring the track remains a Heavy10 for the duration of the card, likely very testing late in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Te Aroha Race 1<\/div>\n
8 Mobilized<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Mobilized (#8) makes his hurdling debut here for Shaun & Emma Clotworthy, coming into this rock hard fit with five runs under his belt this campaign since May, as well as a recent hurdling trial ahead of this. Hamish McNeil taking the reins looks a positive, as he knows the horse well and is one of the better jumps riders going around at the moment. Expect him to take some beating with a clean jumping display.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R1 – P BROSNAN CONTRACTING MDN HURDLE<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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8. Mobilized (3)<\/span>
J: Hamish McNeill<\/span> 68kg<\/span><\/div>
83312<\/span>T: Shaun & Emma Clotworthy<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
3.30<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
1.55<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Has won one of 10 career runs to date and is rarely far away. Was (2200m) at this track last time and was beaten 2.25 lengths into second. One of the main hopes.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:43 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Te Aroha Race 2<\/div>\n
9 Weneedashock<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Tip of The Day<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Weneedashock (#9) comes here off a last-start 3rd in a flat race on the polytrack, where he led up and fought on fairly well thereafter. He looks well suited getting back over the hurdles, and that last-start run should have kept him ticking over nicely for this assignment. He won his maiden hurdle here two starts back in emphatic fashion, clearing out for a 12L victory, and Shaun Fannin coming out of his short lived retirement from jumps riding to take the reins (with Kylan Wiles suspended) is a great lead also. Hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R2 – COMAG OPEN HURDLE<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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9. Weneedashock (6)<\/span>
J: Shaun Fannin<\/span> 65kg<\/span><\/div>
22713<\/span>T: Shaun and Hazel Fannin<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2.20<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
1.24<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Finished third on the flat when following on from an impressive hurdle debut win. On top for us in this.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:43 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Te Aroha Race 3<\/div>\n
9 Black Diamond<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Black Diamond (#9) is a 3yo El Roca filly coming here at start number three for Andrew Forsman. She has kicked her career off with two placings from two starts, the latest a brave effort for 3rd at Avondale where she was parked wide without cover throughout but picked up nicely late to not be beaten far. She again draws wide here, which may not be a negative on a testing track, and she has the right man in Craig Grylls aboard to navigate the draw regardless. Looks clearly the one to beat with any further improvement.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R3 – RACING TE AROHA CALF SYNDICATE MDN<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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9. Black Diamond (15)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 56.5kg<\/span><\/div>
23<\/span>T: Andrew Forsman<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
3.40<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
1.65<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Talented type who has finished in the money at both career runs to date, the latest when third over 1400m at Avondale. Progressing well and will give this a shake.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:44 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Te Aroha Race 4<\/div>\n
6 Taika<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Taika (#6) is a well-accomplished hurdler making his debut over the bigger fences here in a maiden steeplechase contest. Although he finished a distant last in the Hawke\u2019s Bay Hurdle last start, he ran a mighty race for 2nd prior in the Waikato Hurdle. Expect him to get through a testing Heavy10 as well as any and he should take some beating in maiden company if he jumps the bigger fences cleanly.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R4 – THE GREAT NZ JUMPS CARNIVAL 18 & 20 SEPT MDN STPL<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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6. Taika (3)<\/span>
J: Mathew Gillies<\/span> 68kg<\/span><\/div>
X6028<\/span>T: Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
3.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
1.40<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Struggling to recapture his best form, the latest effort a disappointing eighth, beaten 29 lengths, (3000m) at Woodville. Finds a suitable race and can make amends.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:44 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Te Aroha Race 5<\/div>\n
4 Duke Of Plumpton<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Duke Of Plumpton (#4) put his rivals to the sword on his steeplechase debut at Woodville last start, clearing out for a huge 31L win on the line. From the wider draw, Hamish McNeil will\u00a0<\/span>likely look<\/span>\u00a0to mosey forward and replicate the tactics implemented last start. He should only be better for that first steeplechase outing heading here and should take plenty of beating again with any improvement.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R5 – TE AROHA VETERINARY SERVICES TE AROHA CUP<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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4. Duke Of Plumpton (8)<\/span>
J: Hamish McNeill<\/span> 65kg<\/span><\/div>
5X081<\/span>T: Caley Myers<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2.25<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
1.22<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Scored a strong win by 31 lengths last time out in a maiden steeplechase (4000m) at Woodville. Rates highly on that latest effort and can go on with it.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:45 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Te Aroha Race 6<\/div>\n
3 Timetoplaythegame <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Timetoplaythegame<\/span>\u00a0(#3) comes here off a last-start flop at Rotorua, where he\u00a0<\/span>wasn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0suited by the holding nature of the Heavy track that day. His prior effort for 2nd here on a Heavy track at\u00a0<\/span>Te<\/span>\u00a0Aroha shapes as a much better guide, where he raced up on speed throughout and fought on bravely only to be\u00a0<\/span>nabbed<\/span>\u00a0in the shadows of the post. He draws wide here, which may prove a positive come this stage of the day as riders will\u00a0<\/span>likely be<\/span>\u00a0steering a path away from the fence. Expecting Joe Doyle to have him back with cover and blending into the race late out wide. Can bounce back sharply.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R6 – TAJC HOSPITALITY HCP 1400<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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3. Timetoplaythegame (12)<\/span>
J: Joe Doyle<\/span> 59.5kg<\/span><\/div>
X6020<\/span>T: David Greene<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
6.50<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
2.45<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Beaten a nose into second at this track two starts ago then appeared at Arawa Park last time and finished 8 lengths from the winner in 11th. Terrific chance to return to form.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:45 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Te Aroha Race 7<\/div>\n
4 Valsoeur <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Valsoeur<\/span>\u00a0(#4) is a very well-related filly, the full sister to mighty mare La\u00a0<\/span>Crique<\/span>, who is heading here at start number two for the Alexanders. Her debut effort hardly set the world on fire when finishing last of nine, however she was planted wide and working throughout and may not have been suited by the firmer footing. She gets on to a testing Heavy track here, which may suit better going off how she handled Heavy tracks in her trials. Masa Hashizume taking the reins is a positive and he should look to stay wide in the better lanes off the fence from the wide draw. An improved showing\u00a0<\/span>wouldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0surprise.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R7 – PEAK RACING MDN 1150<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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4. Valsoeur (11)<\/span>
J: Masa Hashizume<\/span> 55.5kg<\/span><\/div>
9<\/span>T: Simon & Katrina Alexander<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
11.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
3.30<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Was safely held on debut last start when ninth and beaten 5 lengths over 1200m at Tauranga. The race experience will be invaluable. Among the leading chances.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:45 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Te Aroha Race 8<\/div>\n
11 Playinasandpit<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Playinasandpit<\/span>\u00a0(#11) is a 4yo Niagara mare coming here third-up for Shaun Phelan off the back of a fair effort here in a\u00a0<\/span>highweight<\/span>\u00a0contest last start, where she was simply given no chance planted wide and working throughout under the big weight. She looks well suited coming back to a standard maiden contest and her regular pilot Elen Nicholas takes back over the riding duties, which helps. While the wide draw\u00a0<\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0ideal on paper, Elen should have options to either follow All That I Am forward\u00a0<\/span>early, or<\/span>\u00a0alternatively take her medicine and find a position back of midfield with cover. Should be suited by the Heavy conditions as much as any with those two runs under her belt. Hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R8 – ADRIAN ROSKAM ELECTRICAL MDN 2200<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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11. Playinasandpit (13)<\/span>
J: Elen Nicholas<\/span> 56.5kg<\/span><\/div>
20X35<\/span>T: Shaun Phelan<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
3.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
1.50<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Racing well and although without a win has been in the money three times from six races. Finished fifth at her most recent appearance over 2200m at this track. Is a top 4 player.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:46 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Te Aroha Race 9<\/div>\n
3 Muscovado<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Each Way<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Muscovado (#3) comes into this off a last-start 2nd at Hawera, where he kept whacking away to the line from back in the field. The blinkers went on prior to his effort for 4th at Tauranga two starts back and have\u00a0<\/span>seemingly sparked<\/span>\u00a0some improvement, with his last two starts\u00a0<\/span>considerably more<\/span>\u00a0enthusing. He gets an improved barrier to work with here but typically takes a few strides to get going, so may end up back of midfield with cover regardless. Craig Grylls\u00a0<\/span>remaining<\/span>\u00a0in the saddle is a positive lead and he looks as capable as any in an even field of stayers to close the card.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Te Aroha R9 – COMBINED CONTRACTORS LTD 2200<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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3. Muscovado (7)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 60kg<\/span><\/div>
X0442<\/span>T: John Bell<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
8.50<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
3.00<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Broke back into the top-three last start when second at Hawera over 2100m, beaten 2.25 lengths. Can improve again. Top 4 chance again.<\/td><\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 24\/07\/2026 11:35:46 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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\"Te<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

Te Rapa Tips & Preview | Saturday 25 July<\/h2>
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\"2026<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Day Tips & Preview (Caulfield) | Saturday 25 July<\/h2>
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\"Eagle<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

Eagle Farm Tips & Preview | Saturday 25 July<\/h2>
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