{"id":32645,"date":"2026-09-25T10:50:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T22:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=32645"},"modified":"2026-09-25T22:59:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T10:59:06","slug":"hastings-tips-preview-saturday-26-september","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/09\/hastings-tips-preview-saturday-26-september\/","title":{"rendered":"Hastings Tips & Preview | Saturday 26 September"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hastings hosts a nine-race card on Saturday, headlined by the running of the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile. The track is rated a Soft5 and the rail in the true position. Conditions are fine and the track should remain in good order for the duration of the card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitch Davis has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the nine races at the Hastings meeting on Saturday 26 September below:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Hastings Race 1<\/div>\n
6 Los Salsero<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Los Salsero (#6) made significant ground from the back of the field last start at Ellerslie, getting home strongly for 5th. Michael McNab takes over from a wider barrier, and he maps to settle back in the field again here. He looks suited by the firmer conditions underfoot better than most in this. Looks hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R1 – COLLIERS HAWKE’S BAY STAYERS<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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4th<\/span><\/div>
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6. Los Salsero (10)<\/span>
J: Michael McNab<\/span> 59kg<\/span><\/div>
97325<\/span> T: Stephen Marsh<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
4.60<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 01:36:34 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Hastings Race 2<\/div>\n
7 War Princess<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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War Princess (#7) resumed with <\/span>a very good<\/span> win here, where she led and staved off her rivals down the straight. She comes here second-up and finds herself nicely situated down in the weights, with Craig Grylls taking over the riding duties also. She maps to settle just off the speed in a race that looks to have a genuine tempo engaged. Won well here first-<\/span>up, and<\/span> can go on with her winning ways again here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R2 – HERETAUNGA HASTINGS PREMIER HCP<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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1st<\/span><\/div>
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7. War Princess (6)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 55kg<\/span><\/div>
040X1<\/span> T: Peter and Trent Didham<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
1.95<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.16<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 02:11:09 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Hastings Race 3<\/div>\n
8 Crimson Sky<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Crimson Sky (#8) had <\/span>very little<\/span> luck last start at Ellerslie, running into backsides for much of the straight after making her run up the fence from the back, and could only manage 8th as a result. She comes here second-up from a much better draw, and with a clean getaway she maps to settle back of midfield. Just needs some favours in the straight this time to be playing a part here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R3 – VET SERVICES EAST COAST CHALLENGE WILDCARD<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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7th<\/span><\/div>
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8. Crimson Sky (4)<\/span>
J: Joe Doyle<\/span> 55kg<\/span><\/div>
350X8<\/span> T: Simon & Katrina Alexander<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
5.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
2.05<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 02:46:18 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Hastings Race 4<\/div>\n
4 Cheerio<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Cheerio (#4) resumes here for Cody Cole, last seen finishing 5th in the Gr.3 Cambridge <\/span>Breeders’<\/span> at <\/span>Te<\/span> Rapa back in April, where she sat off the speed and fought well in the straight. George Rooke takes the reins here, and she maps to settle back of midfield in a race that looks to have a genuine tempo engaged. Expect her to be finishing off hard late if they overdo it in front as expected.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R4 – REMEMBERING MARK LISSINGTON SPRINT<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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1st<\/span><\/div>
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4. Cheerio (12)<\/span>
J: George Rooke<\/span> 56kg<\/span><\/div>
8125X<\/span> T: Cody Cole<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
3.20<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.50<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 03:20:40 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Hastings Race 5<\/div>\n
1 Pounce<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Pounce (#1) comes here off a smart win last start in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase at Ellerslie, where she sat behind the leaders and extended impressively late. Craig Grylls <\/span>retains<\/span> the ride from the inside gate, where she maps to settle just off the speed again. Even conditions underfoot should play into her hands again too. Gets the right setup to repeat the dose here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R5 – HBPB THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS GOLD TRAIL STAKES (G3)<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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7th<\/span><\/div>
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1. Pounce (1)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 56.5kg<\/span><\/div>
8X161<\/span> T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
3.90<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 03:57:42 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Hastings Race 6<\/div>\n
7 Raymond <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Each Way<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Raymond (#7) got back and <\/span>made up<\/span> good ground late in a slowly run race last start at Ellerslie, finishing 5th. He comes here second-up for Stephen Marsh, and from the wide gate he maps to settle at the tail of the field again here. Race shape may be against him again in <\/span>this, but<\/span> thought he could still run a race at each-way odds.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R6 – THE FOXES @ NOVARA PARK HAWKE’S BAY GUINEAS (G2)<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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3rd<\/span><\/div>
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7. Raymond (9)<\/span>
J: Matt Cartwright<\/span> 57kg<\/span><\/div>
2X5<\/span> T: Stephen Marsh<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
12.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
3.40<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 04:32:15 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Hastings Race 7<\/div>\n
6 Monologue<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Tip of The Day<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Monologue (#6) sat back in the field last start at Ellerslie before unleashing a good sprint up the fence late to win. She comes here second-up and gets a much better barrier this time around, with Joe Doyle <\/span>retaining<\/span> the ride. She maps to settle back of midfield again, and looks well placed down on the minimum carrying 54kg. <\/span>Very hard<\/span> to beat with any improvement from that first-up run.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R7 – THE PAVILION SPORTS BAR OPEN HCP<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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1st<\/span><\/div>
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6. Monologue (5)<\/span>
J: Joe Doyle<\/span> 54kg<\/span><\/div>
233X1<\/span> T: Alexander Fieldes<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2.20<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.26<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 05:06:07 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Hastings Race 8<\/div>\n
2 First Five<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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First Five (#2) got back and never got into the race last start in the Gr.1 <\/span>Proisir<\/span> Plate at Ellerslie, finishing back in the pack. He comes here third-up from a much better <\/span>draw, and<\/span> should settle around midfield with cover off a good speed this time, importantly much closer than last start. <\/span>He’s<\/span> also suited getting back left-handed, and Michael McNab taking over looks a big plus. Should be peaking for <\/span>this, and<\/span> should be running a vastly improved race.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R8 – HOWDEN INSURANCE MILE (G1)<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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6th<\/span><\/div>
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2. First Five (6)<\/span>
J: Michael McNab<\/span> 59kg<\/span><\/div>
11X60<\/span> T: David Greene<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
6.50<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
2.45<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 05:48:03 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Hastings Race 9<\/div>\n
3 Los Santos<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Los Santos (#3) comes here off a good effort for 2nd behind a handy sort in Day One at Ellerslie last start, where sat off the speed wide with cover and stuck on gamely for 2nd thereafter. He comes here on the short turnaround from last week, and Craig Grylls takes over from the wider barrier here. Just needs some luck early from the draw to play a big part in this.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hastings R9 – NZB READY TO RUN TRAINERS SERIES<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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3rd<\/span><\/div>
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3. Los Santos (10)<\/span>
J: Craig Grylls<\/span> 60kg<\/span><\/div>
X7222<\/span> T: Peter & Shaun McKay<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
5.50<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
2.15<\/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: 26\/09\/2026 06:20:12 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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\"Hastings<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

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\"Riccarton<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

Riccarton Park Tips & Preview | Saturday 26 September<\/h2>
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\"2026<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Horse Racing Tips<\/span>

2026 Golden Rose Day Tips & Preview (Rosehill) | Saturday 26 September<\/h2>
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