https://www.racecafe.co.nz/forums/index.php?/discover/RaceCafe NZ's Premier Racing Community - All ActivityenJust watched the Woodville action. Another charming track and looked in really good shape. Interesting to see some riders take the initiative from the front - Jonathan Riddell rode a very good race on SATOMI in the first. Plenty of inexperienced types in the maidens who understandably were all over the place. Unfortunately, Hayley Hassman had a horrible time on HI YO FOX ROX and in the circumstances did well for third. I’m not sure why the horse failed to negotiate the bend at the end of the straight. She had enjoyed a much more enjoyable experience on PALLADIUM for Cody Cole who seems able to do little wrong currently.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 07:04:53 +0000There is a big difference between enjoying a ride on a B.....y C.....e and being launched into the stratosphere on said 'playground attraction', esp when you are 4yrs old and dipping joyously into a tonne of your favourite ice cream (hokey-pokey).Max still thinks it was the fault of the evil-looking guy with shifty eyes and a ragged beard standing by the power switch...but Maxi has been wrong before (1989).Wed, 07 Oct 2026 07:00:20 +0000Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:15:47 +0000An interesting scenario as the one above. A friend and I were offered a share in a horse for one start for 10k. It was racing in a 100k race with only 5 runners and one was a stayer, fresh up, so it looked like an unbeatable deal. If it ran 4th, we made money. I cannot remember how much, but it more than covered the cost. Everything was going to plan, but you wouldn't believe it but she broke down and did't finish the race. I should be able to remember the horse's name,but old age has caught up me, but i do know it was out a daughter of Show Gate, i believe it was Showella.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:03:29 +0000The top yearling sale got underway in Newmarket on Tuesday. https://www.tattersalls.com/sales/october-yearling-sale-book-1/4DCGI/Sale/OC126/Main/Lots/ Six lots went for more than a million guineas and Godolphin bought five of them. The showstopper went for a European record 4.6 million guineas. He’s by Night of Thunder out of My Astra - I think it’s her first foal but she is a half to My Prospero and My Oberon, both Group 1 winners. I suspect the colt will have a name with a nod to Midsummer Nights Dream - perhaps PUCK OFF or perhaps not. Godolphin also paid 3.8 million guineas for a colt by Wootton Bassett out of Loch Lein. The dam has thrown one by Frankel but he hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field in a handicap in April. The sale numbers for day one look impressive - 115 lots sold for a total of 407 million guineas compared with 129 million guineas on the equivalent day in 2025. Worth mentioning Coolmore were the underbidders on the top lots.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 05:42:29 +0000Given many of you will throw stones........shit for brains.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 05:12:44 +0000Sold for $55,000 to David BlumbergWed, 07 Oct 2026 04:54:14 +0000Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:50:01 +0000If l bet "Top 10" my runner would finish 11th. My "win" bets generally run 2nd, "place" bets (with 3 divvies) generally finish 4th. What's the point Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:49:30 +0000Wed, 07 Oct 2026 03:34:37 +0000Just sat down to watch R3 at Woodville and Stephen Hunt was downplaying Blueprints trial, this is a very tough race with many chances Elegante being the most obvious but Blueprint looked to have a bit in reserve for what its worth....not sure what Hunt was watchingWed, 07 Oct 2026 01:27:12 +0000Lot of talk about THUNDER IN MOTION in Race 3 at Taupo this FridayWed, 07 Oct 2026 00:39:53 +0000Why not get rid of the whip, both for the animals welfare and not to give those who want to ban horse racing a reason. A fair playing field. Just my opinionWed, 07 Oct 2026 00:05:56 +0000With many top horses having already completed their final preps ahead of the Breeders' Cup, the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll shows little movement despite a flurry of graded stakes action last week.View the full articleWed, 07 Oct 2026 00:04:39 +0000The Irish horse racing and betting sectors were among the winners in the Oct. 6 budget, with Horse Racing Ireland's funding due to increase while the rate of betting tax has been left unchanged. View the full articleWed, 07 Oct 2026 00:04:39 +0000My point is that if is a horse is beaten with no chance of getting a bigger stake for the owners then I don't want to see a situation where jockeys have to ride out with the whip because we now have top 10 bets . And IMO hitting a beaten horse with the whip is the bash . Again IMO I have no issue with jockeys easing up if in the above position , if a punter has a horse for top 8 but it runs 9th because a jockey eased up because the horse was gone then so be it . As for your last sentence , if that is the "bash", NO I am not , I have openly stated on this forum that the time has come for use of the whip behind the saddle to be banished , use of the whip only on the shoulder whilst maintaining both hands on the reins is my preferred option now . I watched a race out of Victoria last week where an odds on horse came around them on the corner from last , jogging , went up and past them by 4L without the jockey turning the whip , then 100m out the jockey precedes to give the horse 2 backhanders , I was furious , even my wife came into the lounge and asked what I was yelling at , absolutely disgusting behavior and it's the sort of thing that is going to cost the industry . Beaten horses should be looked after . Just my opinion .Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:19:26 +0000Completely agree, there was nothing wrong with the trial and at the end of the day it's all it is a trial. Some people just like to cause drama for the sake of it. Impossible to beat.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:05:15 +0000Woodville R6 Meridivaci Here’s the value runner. His form is building nicely this preparation: He has since trialled locally at Woodville and appeared hard held when finishing fourth, suggesting there may still be improvement to come. Today’s setup looks strong: Race-fit Local trial experience Drawn well in barrier 6 Second-highest rating in the field Several key rivals resuming The Soft 7 is the main unknown, but if he reproduces his recent form, he should be right in the finish. Top 5 selections 1. Meridivaci Here’s the value runner. His form has progressed nicely this preparation: His latest fourth came over 1700m on the Awapuni Synthetic, where he finished 5.17L from the winner and recorded a 36.82 L600. He now drops back to 1400m, draws ideally in barrier six and arrives with race fitness on his side. Your observation that he appeared hard held when fourth in a local trial adds further interest, although that is a replay assessment rather than an officially recorded form fact. The switch to apprentice Tom Wigram changes the riding setup, but the claim helps offset the 58.5kg allocation. Verdict: The combination of improving form, fitness and a workable draw gives him a genuine winning chance. At around $11, he looks the value runner of the race. 2. Katsu The stablemate looks the principal danger. Her form of 225X contains two consecutive seconds before a fifth, and her rating of 54 is the highest in the field. From barrier two with 56.5kg, she should receive an economical run. The question is race fitness because she resumes, whereas Meridivaci has already had recent racing. Both are trained by Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos, whose profile identifies them as a Hastings partnership. Verdict: Strong historical form and the best barrier among the leading chances. If forward enough first-up, she can win. 3. Cricket A consistent mare returning with form of 6344X. She has repeatedly finished around the placings and gets an experienced rider in Kelly Myers. The concern is barrier 11, which may leave her covering ground or settling further back than ideal. Verdict: Honest profile and capable of figuring prominently, but the wide gate makes the task harder. 4. Sax Appeal The lightweight three-year-old appeals as an improver. Her form of 4367X includes a third and fourth, while 54kg gives her a meaningful weight advantage over the older males. Barrier eight is manageable, and Masa Hashizume takes the ride. The blinkers come off, which may help her relax, although the effect of that gear change cannot be known in advance. Verdict: Well weighted and capable of improving fresh. A genuine first-four chance. 5. Dolindo His 928X form contains a second placing, giving him enough exposed ability to remain under consideration. Lisa Allpress is a positive booking, but barrier ten creates a tactical challenge. He may need to work early or settle further back than ideal. Verdict: Has shown enough to feature but needs the right trip first-up from the wider draw. R8 Borrowed Time His first-up fifth at Waverley was much better than it initially appeared. On Heavy 8, he ran the fastest L600 of the race in 37.83, despite having to steady near the 800m. The return to the mile is a material positive: third over 1600m on Soft 6; third over 1600m on Soft 7; third over 1650m at Waverley; now second-up after a strong closing return. Our race-benchmark adjustment estimated his Waverley L600 at approximately 35.94 on a Soft 6-type benchmark, leaving him only around 0.15 seconds behind Topeka’s 35.79. That is a modelling estimate, not an official sectional conversion. The clear concern is barrier 11. If he gets too far back, the 375m Woodville straight may not give him enough time to recover the lost ground. Verdict: Capable of performing significantly above his market price. Strong inclusion in trifectas, first fours and a small each-way play. Top 5 selections 1. Topeka The horse to beat. Her 35.79 L600 over 1600m on Soft 6 is the strongest directly comparable sectional we identified. She finished second in that performance and remains favourably treated today with the apprentice claim, carrying approximately 50kg from barrier four. That gives her: established mile performance; proven Soft-track acceleration; an inside-to-middle draw; a major weight advantage; tactical versatility. Risk: She still has to convert her promise into a win, and a very slow tempo could make the race messy. Tipster verdict: best combination of speed, conditions, distance and weight. 2. Roccadonna Strong profile from the inside gate. She is the highest-rated runner among the leading mares at rating 51, carries 56.5kg and has barrier one. Her form line of 430X5 indicates previous competitiveness before resuming with a fifth. The inside draw should allow George Rooke to conserve ground and secure an economical position. In a large field on soft ground, that can be a significant advantage compared with runners forced to cover extra ground. Risk: Barrier one can become awkward if she settles midfield and the runners ahead begin weakening. Verdict: Clear winning chance and likely to receive one of the best runs. 3. Will Solid each-way credentials despite the draw. His form includes placings before the spell, and his 36.15 L600 on Soft 5 over 1300m shows genuine finishing speed. The main questions are whether he can reproduce that acceleration over 1600m and overcome barrier 12. He has the services of Kelly Myers, but at 58.5kg he gives substantial weight to Topeka and the mares. Risk: Wide draw, top weight and the step to 1600m could leave him with plenty to do. Verdict: Natural ability puts him in the top five, although his price may be short enough given the map. 4. Borrowed Time See Above 5. Time After Time Consistent mare who should appreciate the mile. Her recent form of 62254 is among the most reliable in the field. She is rated 54, has established 1600m experience and carries 56.5kg. The issue is barrier 14. She may need to work early, be restrained near the back, or cover additional ground. None of those options is ideal on a Soft 7 track. Her previously identified 38.64 L600 over 1600m on Heavy 10 was slower than Borrowed Time’s Heavy-track figure, although race shape and track differences limit a direct comparison. Verdict: Honest and capable, but the wide barrier prevents me from rating her higher.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:02:44 +0000Looked to trial well so did Jolliestar I thought .Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:44:12 +0000Like every fixed odds market, it changes. I dont usually do the top 10, but in bigger fields and if odds right why not top 6 or 7? Get a few runners paying overs which shorten later, its a gamble. A few i know take SRM and multi up, young punters like chasing odds, why not.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:23:00 +0000Add up the market percentages and you will quickly discover that the majority of these markets are for those who are mathematically challenged. Place 10 is way off the map.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:18:01 +0000The late Jim Lambert told me, about 40 years ago, that he had seen a young Maori boy call the trials at Matamata. He was astounded at the boy's ability to remember colours at the trials. Incredible skills! I am sure you all know who I am referring to.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:09:55 +0000Because the punters want to see it (not whipping them, just not easing up) and the punters pay the bills. If everybody outside of the first 4 placegetters ease up, then form analysis becomes impossibleTue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:32 +0000Jockey Edwin Gonzalez is scheduled to have grade 1 opportunities Oct. 31 at Keeneland, courtesy of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.View the full articleTue, 06 Oct 2026 20:36:23 +0000Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen celebrated a grade 1 victory at Keeneland when Emphatic captured the Oct. 2 Alcibiades (G1). Now, they'll seek another top win when Luster represents them in the Oct. 10 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T).View the full articleTue, 06 Oct 2026 20:36:23 +0000