Ellerslie 18 Apr 2026
GOING: S(5)
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MYRACEHORSE 1200m Track: SOFT 5 True |
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Deep Pursuit and Yousito possess good early speed. TO THE MAX (4) only raced 3 times in the spring, and ended that prep with a sound fifth in stakes company here in November. He cops a wide gate, but will be a lot stronger this year, and he is capable of taking this out fresh. Check the market. UTOPIC WARRIOR (5) franked his excellent trial form with a tough, but impressive win here on debut 2 weeks ago. He still has a lot to learn, and he can pick up another win before his connections ship him off to Hong Kong. MAD MAX (1) got out too late at Otaki last week, and he should have gone close to winning that race. He has won on this track in the past, and he is overdue for another win. DEEP PURSUIT (6) capped off some solid form with an overdue but well-deserved maiden win at Pukekohe. He is a late-maturing type who can now go right on with the job. HAPPY YOUMZAIN (2) showed pace and some ticker fresh at Te Aroha 3 weeks ago when finishing runner-up off the front. Stick with him for all top 4 combos. SUGGESTED PLAY: Mad Max each way.
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| 1 | 45454 |
MAD MAX
ANDREW FORSMAN 5YO BROWN GELDING 60.0KG C J GRACE, T HARTLEY, T G HEPTINSTALL, C W KWOK, D PAINTER & ZAME PARTNERSHIP At the latest run 4th of 12 at Otaki on April 11 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Avantaggia with 58kg at $8.70. Before that ran last in a small field at Te Aroha on March 28 over 1150m, on heavy track; 3 len behind Cleat with 53kg at $4.90. Not far away last time. Sharp improvement expected in this suitable contest. |
6 MATT CARTWRIGHT |
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| 2 | 637x2 |
HAPPY YOUMZAIN
TONY PIKE 3YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG HONG KONG BLOODSTOCK (MGR: ANTHONY FAN) Second-up. First-up after four months set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 7 at Te Aroha on March 28 over 1400m, in the wet; 1.5 len behind Ruby Rush carrying 55kg at $3.50. Previously second-up 4th of 16 at this track on October 18 over 1400m, 0.6 len behind Summerston with 56.5kg at $5.60. Rates highly and should feature. |
14 M MCNAB |
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| 3 | 16x5 |
INTERLAKEN
SHANE CRAWFORD 4YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG NZ THOROUGHBRED HOLDINGS LTD Second-up. First-up after eight months 5th of 12 at Pukekohe on April 1 over 1200m, in the wet; 3 len behind Nedelin carrying 58kg at $21.70. Previously second-up 6th of 10 at Ruakaka on August 2 over 1300m, slow going 5 len behind Dancing Dream carrying 59kg at $8.40. Looks a fair way off peak form so others are preferred. |
9 |
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| 4 | 415x |
TO THE MAX
ROGER JAMES & ROBERT WELLWOOD 3YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG MRS J L EGAN Resuming after a four-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation fifth of 12 at this track in the LR Trevor Eagle Memorial November 29 over 1500m, soft track; 5 len behind Pulsatilla with 57kg at $5.40. On debut fourth of 9 at Te Aroha October 22 over 1150m, soft track; 3 len behind Avantaggia with 56.5kg at $9.60. Expect a bold showing. |
13 CORENTIN BERGE |
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| 5 | 1 |
UTOPIC WARRIOR
KELLY VAN DYK 3YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG W WONG Was well-supported at debut, won won by a 0.2 len at this track April 4 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Deprive carrying 58kg at $3.10. Can go right on with the job now. |
10 GEORGE ROOKE |
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| 6 | 22421 |
DEEP PURSUIT
TONY PIKE 6YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG S LEUNG Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; won by 1.1 len at Pukekohe April 1 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Zenzero Girl carrying 58.5kg at $2.30. The race before that 2nd of 13 at Pukekohe on March 13 over 1200m, slow going 1.0 len behind Smooth Warrior with 58.5kg at $8.40. No reason he cannot get the job done again. |
9 SAM MCNAB |
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| 7 | 39044 |
AMAZONIA
JOHN BELL 5YO BAY MARE 58.0KG JOHN BELL, G J & MRS J R CAMERON & B-COMPLETE RACING SYNDICATE Comes off a 29 day let-up. Last start 4th of 10 at Pukekohe on March 20 over 1200m, 2 len behind Vieni Su carrying 58kg at $11.80. The run before that 4th of 11 at Matamata on March 11 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Midori Glory carrying 58kg at $11.60. This looks a stern test. |
8 JACK TAPLIN |
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| 8 | 680x3 |
SHE'S UNTOUCHABLE
STEPHEN MARSH 4YO BAY MARE 58.0KG 2023 BOURBON LANE STABLE NEW ZEALAND LLC, DENNIS E FOSTER, MRS R A CARTER, B KENDALL & DR P H MITCHELL Second run back. First-up after three months 3rd of 12 at Pukekohe on April 1 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 0.8 len behind Nedelin with 57.5kg at $3.60. Previously second-up made ground from midfield; 3rd of 14 at this track on October 18 over 1100m, 1.3 len behind Charmrose carrying 59kg at $4.40. Not to be taken lightly. |
1 O P BOSSON |
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| 9 | 4244x |
HOT CARD
LANCE NOBLE 3YO BAY FILLY 57.0KG CAMBRIDGE STUD LIMITED Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of three-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign fourth of 7 at this track January 11 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind King's English carrying 54.5kg at $20.70. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.3 len Taupo October 10 over 1000m slow track defeating Manorbier carrying 54kg at $4.50. Expected to prove hard to beat. |
20 WARREN KENNEDY |
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| 10 | 2135x |
ATKINS
CODY COLE 5YO BROWN MARE 57.0KG NZ THOROUGHBRED HOLDINGS LTD Resumes. Finished off last preparation fifth of 9 at Matamata February 14 over 1400m, on heavy track; 4 len behind Bolli Belle carrying 56.5kg at $4.10. Previously first up; eighth of 12 at Taupo October 10 over 1000m, soft track; 4 len behind Hot Card carrying 56.5kg at $8.50. Will take a lot from this run but stays under notice. |
11 |
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| 11 | 515x |
RED PEARL
DARRYN & BRIAR WEATHERLEY 3YO BAY FILLY 56.0KG B KENDALL & R A CARTER She is resuming after a three-and-a-half months break. Finished off last preparation fifth of 7 at this track January 1 over 1500m, soft track; 7 len behind Khaleesi with 55kg at $14.70. On debut fifth of 11 at Te Aroha December 7 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Stella Ma Bella with 55.5kg at $7.80. May need more time. |
4 TAYLA MITCHELL |
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| 12 | 6x031 |
THUMBELINA
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 3YO CHESTNUT FILLY 56.0KG CLIFF MATSON & KATRINA DANSTED Recent form sound. Returns from a 36-day let-up. Most recently favourite; won by 3.5 len at Pukekohe March 13 over 1200m in soft going defeating Magic Dreams with 57kg at $2.60. The race before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 12 at Pukekohe on February 25 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.5 len behind Sweet Smile with 56kg at $9.20. Shapes as a leading chance again. |
2 C J GRYLLS |
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| 13 | 16 |
RICHEMONT
SHANE CRAWFORD 4YO BAY MARE 56.0KG NZ THOROUGHBRED HOLDINGS LTD Third race start today. When well in the market at debut, favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; scored a big 6 len win at Tauherenikau March 5 over 1000m in soft going defeating Just A Drop carrying 56.5kg at $4.10. Last start 6th of 11 at Hawera on March 25 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind London carrying 57kg at $3.70. Happy to overlook. |
1 A LAWSON-CARROLL |
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| 14 | x3319 |
SISTER CYNANE
LANCE O'SULLIVAN & ANDREW SCOTT 4YO BAY MARE 56.0KG HERMITAGE THOROUGHBREDS PTY LTD Returns from a 38-day let-up. Most recently 9th of 11 at Matamata on March 11 over 1200m, on a slow track; 9 len behind Midori Glory carrying 56.5kg at $4.90. The run before that won by 1.5 len at Te Aroha February 11 over 1150m in soft going defeating Merini carrying 56.5kg at $4.20. Easily accounted for last time out but this suits. |
11 JOE DOYLE |
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| 15 | 856x2 |
YOUSITO
PAUL RICHARDS 3YO BAY FILLY 56.0KG J W & MRS S D DUELL Second-up. First-up after two months 2nd of 11 at Hawera on March 25 over 1200m, 0.9 len behind London carrying 55kg at $7.90. Previously second-up ran last of 8 at Te Rapa on December 13 over 1200m, slow going 5.5 len behind To Bravery Born with 54kg at $11.10. Prefer others on this occasion. |
3 MASAHIRO HASHIZUME |
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| 16 | 84417 |
SMOOTH WARRIOR
DEAN WILES 4YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG D R WILES Last start 7th of 11 at Hawera on March 25 over 1200m, 2.75 len behind London with 59kg at $11. The start before that won by 1.0 len at Pukekohe March 13 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Deep Pursuit with 58.5kg at $20.70. Looking to others. |
7 M CAMERON |
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| 17 | 3377x |
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED
SEAN CAMERON 6YO BAY MARE 56.0KG S L CAMERON Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign second last of 8 at Te Rapa September 14 over 1300m, on rain affected going; 8 len behind Smart Love with 55kg at $15.50. Previously first up; seventh of 14 at Pukekohe April 23 over 1400m, in the wet; 10 len behind Elle Sourit carrying 58kg at $20.60. Looks tested. |
19 |
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| 18 | 7680x |
HEY DANA
LANCE NOBLE 3YO BAY FILLY 55.0KG CAMBRIDGE STUD LIMITED Resuming. Finished off last preparation 13th of 15 at this track January 31 over 2100m, soft track; 13 len behind Ruach with 55.5kg at $3.20. At her first start favourite; won by 1.0 len Avondale November 6 over 1200m slow track defeating Arctic Jewel carrying 55.5kg at $10.10. Can figure in the finish. |
5 WARREN KENNEDY |
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| 19 | 1440x |
JADE DRAGON
PAM GERARD 4YO BROWN MARE 55.0KG BALLYMORE RACING NZ LTD, M BOGOIEVSKI, D G DEVONPORT, S P MOUTTER, PEGASUS BLOODSTOCK LP & PURE TIME SYNDICATE Resuming after a break of 11 months. Finished off last campaign when last of 14 at this track May 17 over 1300m, soft track; 10 len behind Jurisprudence with 57kg at $19.70. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.5 len Te Aroha February 12 2025 over 1150m defeating Out Of Exile carrying 56kg at $17.20. Prefer to see how she returns. |
15 |
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| 20 | 32554 |
WE FOUND LOVE
LAUREN BRENNAN 4YO BAY MARE 55.0KG RAPTORS THOROUGHBRED, LANDMARK TRADING, GBA BLOODSTOCK & ECA BLOODSTOCK Most recently 4th of 11 at Hawera on March 25 over 1200m, 2 len behind London carrying 52.5kg at $9.20. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 13 at Te Aroha on March 6 over 1400m, slow going 4 len behind Berenhard carrying 55kg at $5.50. Horror draw makes it tough. |
12 JOE NISHIZUKA |
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