Pukekohe 20 Mar 2026
GOING: G(4)
|
NIKAU CONTRACTORS 1600m Track: SOFT 5 True |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Genuine tempo with Acesandspaces leading the way. NAVY ENSIGN (7) has been racing so consistently this season, and will be trying 1600m for the first time after being given no chance at Ellerslie over 1500m nearly 2 weeks ago. He found the line nicely that day, and with an ounce of luck, he can take this out. VICTOR TANGO (3) followed up his narrow Ruakaka defeat on debut with a comfortable win at Matamata nearly 3 weeks ago. He can secure a run that suits him from the pole position, and he should figure in the finish again. AUTUMN QUEEN (4) resumed with a tough head win at Tauherenikau over 1400m, and the extra 200m will only be further in her favour. She is bred to relish 1600m, and her next win won't be far away. LA DIEM (5) is another deserving last start winner, who scored easily from near last on the corner at Pukekohe 23 days ago. Look for her late again. Each way value. SHOEBILL (6) built her form strongly to score by half a length at Tauherenikau 15 days ago. Stick with her for all top 4 combos. SUGGESTED PLAY: Navy Ensign deserves to win this race.
|
||||
| 1 | 971 |
ACESANDSPACES
STEPHEN MARSH 3YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG EMBLEM LTD, G D MELVILLE-SMITH, B W STEVENSON ONZM, MRS P A STEVENSON, J C & EST LATE M A THOMPSON Most recently won by a 0.0 len at Hawera February 27 over 1400m defeating Scarlett Spell carrying 57.5kg at $18. The race before that 7th of 10 at Tauranga on January 2 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4 len behind I'll Be Home Soon carrying 54kg at $22.80. Solid top-three chance. |
4 JACK TAPLIN |
|
| 2 | 17 |
ROCK ICE
SHAUN & EMMA CLOTWORTHY 3YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG TERRY LINES, JANE LINES, CONNOR LINES & S CLOTWORTHY Had two starts to date. At big odds at debut, won by a 0.0 len at Te Aroha February 11 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Kind Of Blue carrying 58kg at $27.20. Second-up 7th of 11 at Ellerslie on March 7 over 1500m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Confesara with 57kg at $29.60. Better than the last run suggests and can do better. |
6 MASAHIRO HASHIZUME |
|
| 3 | 21 |
VICTOR TANGO
DAVID GREENE 3YO BROWN GELDING 59.0KG C A FISCHER, L W GREENE, J D HODGSON, I G KING, Q MAISEY & MRS S THORBURN Had two starts to date. At debut, 2nd of 12 at Ruakaka Mdn-Sw on January 6 over 1400m, slow going 0.1 len behind Autumn Glory with 57kg at $5.30. Second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.4 len at Matamata February 28 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Moonbeams with 58kg at $3.50. Brings the right form to the table. One of the major players. |
1 WARREN KENNEDY |
|
| 4 | 3x1 |
AUTUMN QUEEN
ANDREW FORSMAN 3YO BAY FILLY 57.0KG M N & MRS S L DEVCICH & A C FORSMAN Second-up. Promising on debut 3rd of 9 at Tauherenikau on November 9 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Merrilegs with 55kg at $3.90. Returned from break favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a 0.3 len at Tauherenikau March 5 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Katsu carrying 56kg at $2.20. Back in great shape and is sure to prove hard to beat. |
5 JOE DOYLE |
|
| 5 | 444x1 |
LA DIEM
STEPHEN MARSH 3YO BAY FILLY 57.0KG CALDER BLOODSTOCK LTD, M & R L CRAIG, KAURI BLOODSTOCK LIMITED & T W ARCHER TRUST Second-up. First-up after four months won by 0.9 len at this track February 25 over 1400m in soft going defeating Absolutelyfabulous carrying 57kg at $11.60. Previously second-up 4th of 11 at Ellerslie 3yo Mdn-Sw on October 25 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Belle Cheval with 55.5kg at $30.60. Can feature in the finish again. |
7 C J GRYLLS |
|
| 6 | 0741 |
SHOEBILL
ANDREW FORSMAN 3YO BROWN FILLY 57.0KG G HATWELL, C W KWOK, MRS D G & W H OUTTRIM, T V RIDER, M SIMPSON, C M TILEY & MRS M E WILLIAMS Form hard to fault. Last start won by 0.5 len at Tauherenikau March 5 over 1600m in soft going defeating Donatello with 55.5kg at $5.70. The run before that 4th of 10 at Waipukurau on February 15 over 1400m, slow going 1.75 len behind Plain Sailing carrying 55kg at $5.10. Fitter and can measure up again. |
9 M MCNAB |
|
| 7 | 22535 |
NAVY ENSIGN
MURRAY THOMPSON 3YO BROWN GELDING 54.0KG D L ARCHER, S C ARCHER, N N MICARONE & D J WRIGHT At the latest run 5th of 11 at Ellerslie on March 7 over 1500m, slow going 2 len behind Confesara with 56kg at $14.10. The race before that 3rd of 12 at this track on February 25 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.1 len behind Le Jacques Cartier with 57.5kg at $3. Has ability and is one of the leading chances. |
8 SAMANTHA COLLETT |
|
| 8 | 43x4 |
SOLID GOLD
ROGER JAMES & ROBERT WELLWOOD 3YO BAY FILLY 54.0KG WAIKATO STUD LTD Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 12 at Matamata on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 1.75 len behind Silent Spy with 56kg at $2.50. Previously second-up settled towards the rear 3rd of 15 at Ellerslie on October 18 over 1400m, 0.6 len behind Swiss Prince carrying 54kg at $7.60. Likely to measure up again with a repeat performance. |
3 M CAMERON |
|
| 9 | 5 |
COMANECI GOLD
STEPHEN MARSH 3YO BROWN FILLY 54.0KG 2024 BOURBON LANE STABLES NEW ZEALAND LLC PARTNERSHIP, MRS L J BOTROS, MRS R A CARTER, N N DOBSON, B KENDALL, J H MCKENZIE, DR P H MITCHELL, MRS B M & L D PETTIFER, ROCKY BAY BLOODSTOCK LTD, L & T ROSS & TANNER STREET SYNDICATE At debut, got back early 5th of 10 at this track on February 25 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Glance carrying 55.5kg at $24.10. Promising three-year-old filly who is sure to measure up. |
2 MATT CARTWRIGHT |
|