Pukekohe horse racing tips, form and odds, Sunday September 24
PUKEKOHE hosts a rare meeting this Sunday in South Auckland, New Zealand, and we have free tips, form and odds for all eight races.
The popular venue has had troubles with its racing surface in recent times, but it remains one of New Zealand’s favourite betting tracks and the eight-race card is packed with top-class thoroughbred racing action.
The Haunui Farm Karaka Classic features a field that includes Australian-performed Sofia Rosa and Megablast. The 1600m feature will be a good guide to the New Zealand Cup and other races at Riccarton later this season.
Australian and New Zealand punters can bet at Pukekohe with Topbetta.com.au which is also offering a great sign up bonus.
Race 1 – 2YO Plate (800m)
Masque is on debut for Team Rogerson after two handy trial efforts. The two-year-old son of Savabeel scored a win at its most recent trial and it’s good to see jockey Leith Innes stick with the colt. Betting will indicate how forward Masque is for this.
Our Prom King has plenty to live up to if it’s half sister is anything to go by. The Kenny and Lisa Rae-trained colt is a half brother to Prom Queen and its trial performances suggest they share similar speed. It has run two quick times over 600m on a heavy track to date and the breeding suggests it will go well on debut.
Race 1 tip: Our Prom King to win at Bet365.com
Race 2 – R65 Open Handicap (2200m)
Century Miss stepped up in distance and blew them away last start at Tauranga. The four-year-old mare scored by over five lengths on a heavy track and another rise in distance looks ideal for this. It’s not the strongest field and it gets the benefit of a 2kg claimer in the saddle.
Summer Warrior has to carry a big weight of 60kg, but it drops in grade after winning at Ellerslie last start. The Dean Wiles-trained runner rises up 6kg, but faces a much easier field and only the possible heavy track would dent its chances of winning.
Race 2 tip: Century Miss to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 3 – R85 Handicap (1200m)
Cote D’Or is a talented mare which has won five of its 12 starts with four placings. The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained runner won three of its four starts last campaign and its only defeat was an unlucky one. It showed a good turn-of-foot and has been freshened up with a trial. It would prefer longer distances, but keep it safe.
Hello M’Lady shouldn’t be overlooked in this as it drops in grade from open handicap level and stays at the same weight. The Vicki Prendergast-trained mare won consecutive races to kick start this campaign before running a gallant fourth behind Taurus. That level of racing lines up well for this and it has no weight on its back.
Race 3 tip: Hello M’Lady to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 4 – R65 Handicap (1200m)
L’Escalier Rose is fresh up after winning over a mile last start. The Luke Pertab-trained local will enjoy longer distances than this, but it showed some pace over 1400m on this track when last in work and a similar effort will take it close.
Elettra was in the money in four of its five starts last preparation and it took on some nice types. The Kelso-trained four-year-old has placed at this track when running a close second in March and it has since been given a trial to prepare for this. Punters should expect a nice run from the mare by Per Incanto.
Race 4 tip: Elettra to win at Topbetta.com.au
Race 5 – R75 Handicap (1400m)
Wooden Edge has been a touch disappointing its last couple of starts, but the class is there. The winner of six from 14 is a noted winter runner, but it hasn’t coped with being up in grade since winning in rating 75 grade in July. It will be forced to carry a big weight here, but it should go close on class alone against this field.
Decades has form around some strong types and it comes into this having won well at Hastings last start. The Margaret Falconer-trained gelding scored by 1.3 lengths on a similar track to this and its form prior included a placing behind the highly-talented Deals in Heels. It will be putting in the big bounds late.
Race 5 tip: Decades to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 6 – R65 Fillies & Mares (1600m)
O’Carol resumed from a spell with a handy placing at Te Awamutu and it could improve from that. The Baker/Forsman-trained mare has won twice at this distance and despite having little second-up form, it could run a nice race at each way odds.
Kool Connection couldn’t quite get its feet out of the ground at a very wet Ellerslie last start, but it will be better suited to Pukekohe. The nicely-bred mare was a stellar winner prior to that at Tauranga and it has always shown the ability to sit and sprint. Punters should expect a quick return to form.
Race 6 tip: Kool Connection to win at Bet365.com
Race 7 – Haunui Farm Classic (1600m)
Megablast has travelled to Australia on multiple occasions, but it needs a wet track and conditions should suit on Sunday. The Nigel Tiley-trained runner was an enormous winner at Ellerslie two starts back before contesting a tough race at Randwick last start. It’s much better than that and it should be able to shine against this field.
Sofia Rosa produced a nice finish for seventh in the Tarzino Trophy last start and it suggested that it can handle the wetter ground. The Stephen Marsh-trained five-year-old didn’t show its best in Australia, but it was running against quality fields and it shouldn’t be overlooked here at the light weight of 54.5kg.
Race 7 tip: Megablast to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – R65 Handicap (1600m)
Don’t Think Twice scored a nice maiden win at Taupo before battling in the ground behind Salted Caramel last start. The patiently-handled five-year-old will get better with more racing under its belt and a good showing here would hold it in good stead for the rest of the season.
Kirkintilloch hasn’t done much wrong this campaign which includes a win three starts back. It has since placed in both starts and it won’t mind dropping back in distance to the mile. Each way chance in an even field.
Race 8 tip: Don’t Think Twice to win at Sportsbet.com.au