Otaki 09 Jan 2026
GOING: G(4)
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THE TELE OTAKI HANDICAP 1600m Track: GOOD 4 True |
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Solid tempo anticipated with Jungle Love heading them off. PROCUL BOY (4) ran a better race when finishing fifth and only a length from the winner here 3 weeks ago. He probably has not kicked on as well as expected this season, but will don the blinkers this time, and dropping back to a mile will do him no harm. On top for us. JUNGLE LOVE (7) won on debut, then had a decent spell before resuming to hold to win again by a neck, both times at New Plymouth. She drops 3kg, and has the scope to take the next step immediately. ITOJE (5) won her penultimate start at Waverley in her first run over ground, and then led up here last time out before being claimed late, finishing a game runner-up. Stick with her. HARD TOO THINK (2) is a lightly tried veteran who still has some zest in his legs after finishing runner-up at Tauherenikau a month ago. That was more like the form he showed when racing in Singapore, and he can go one better here. PSYCLONE (6) has turned her form back around recently and beat the fourth pick last time out. Go again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Procul Boy can take this out at good odds.
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| 1 | 50335 |
SEVENAYES
MIKE BRESLIN 6YO CHESTNUT GELDING 59.0KG A L & MRS K C BENBOW Most recently got back early 5th of 10 at this track on December 26 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Belle Tribute carrying 57.5kg at $12.70. The run before that 3rd of 12 at Riccarton Park on November 15 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 4 len behind Toa Haka with 54kg at $18.80. One of the better chances. |
8 TONI DAVIES |
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| 2 | x65x2 |
HARD TOO THINK
KEVIN & STEPHEN GRAY, COPPER BELT LODGE 9YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG J EVANS, D FONG, A A GOMEZ, MRS B A & S GRAY, P HAYES, D J KAINEY, C KEARNES, M LEWIS, M MCLEOD, A T PENNY, A RUSSELL & K H SAVIA Second run back. First-up after 11 months raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 12 at Tauherenikau on December 10 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Psyclone carrying 57.5kg at $7.80. Previously second-up 5th of 12 at Trentham on January 18 over 1600m, 3 len behind Khanshe carrying 57.5kg at $34.90. Warrants consideration. |
3 ROHAN MUDHOO |
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| 3 | 10x66 |
VITTORIO VENETO
PETER LOCK 7YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG F DAL VECCHIO & P W LOCK Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 6th of 11 at Trentham on December 14 over 1400m, 5.5 len behind Omega Boy with 58.5kg at $19.10. Second-up 6th of 8 at Taupo on December 28 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Nigella Lane with 54kg at $11.90. Hard to have. |
4 WIREMU PINN |
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| 4 | 1x705 |
PROCUL BOY
GAIL TEMPERTON 6YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG TAIKOREA THOROUGHBREDS LTD Most recently 5th of 10 at this track on December 19 over 2100m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Semper Magico with 57.5kg at $5.40. The race before that 11th of 13 at Wanganui on November 29 over 1600m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Uncle Arch carrying 58.5kg at $10.70. One of the major hopes. |
7 M HUDSON |
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| 5 | 62512 |
ITOJE
ILONE KELLY 6YO BAY MARE 55.0KG L K GREIG Recent form sound. Comes here off a 40-day let-up. Most recently rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 13 at this track on November 30 over 2100m, 1.5 len behind Freddie Time carrying 54kg at $9.10. The start before that won by 1.0 len at Waverley November 14 over 2200m on a rain affected track defeating Latest Model carrying 56.5kg at $14.50. Going well enough to take this out. |
2 MADAN SINGH |
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| 6 | 60021 |
PSYCLONE
JOHN BARY 5YO BAY MARE 55.0KG MRS D J & G W MILLER Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 30-day let-up. At the latest run won by 1.5 len at Tauherenikau December 10 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Hard Too Think carrying 54kg at $7.20. The race before that 2nd of 14 at Wanganui on November 22 over 1600m, slow going long-neck behind Blue Jeanie with 55.5kg at $17.20. Rates highly and should feature in the finish. |
6 SAMANTHA COLLETT |
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| 7 | 1x1 |
JUNGLE LOVE
PETER LOCK 4YO BAY MARE 54.0KG C VAN BLANKEN Yet to taste defeat in two starts. Returned last time out won by a long-neck at New Plymouth Raceway December 4 over 1400m in the wet defeating Marriage Vows with 57kg at $6.80. Racing well. Can't knock that form so stick with her. |
9 C DELL |
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| 8 | 1x014 |
SUNSHINE ALE
GUY LOWRY & LEAH ZYDENBOS 4YO CHESTNUT MARE 54.0KG ARGYLL HOLDINGS LTD Returns from a 30-day let-up. At the latest run 4th of 12 at Tauherenikau on December 10 over 1600m, slow going 1.75 len behind Psyclone with 53kg at $14.40. The run before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.3 len at Waipukurau November 16 over 1400m defeating Lantern Way carrying 54.5kg at $27.60. This looks a tough assignment. |
10 |
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| 9 | 687x0 |
MAKKALDEE
K R HERCOCK 8YO B/BR GELDING 54.0KG J H M & M E AITKEN, A D J & R H RITCHIE Second-up. First-up after eight months ran last of 15 at Trentham on December 20 over 1400m, on a slow track; 14 len behind Anderson Bridge with 59kg at $48.60. Previously second-up 7th of 12 at Wanganui on November 30 2024 over 1600m, 5 len behind Chantilly Lace with 56kg at $13.40. Others rate better this time. |
5 K R HERCOCK |
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| 10 | 960x9 |
BLUE RATA BOLDNESS
TRUDY & VAUGHAN KEEGAN 7YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG FLEMS FREEDOM TRUST Second run back. Comes off a 48-day let-up. First-up after seven months struggled in the run home; 9th of 14 at Wanganui on November 22 over 1600m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Blue Jeanie carrying 53.5kg at $62. Previously second-up won by a long-neck at this track December 19 2024 over 1600m defeating Knickerless with 57kg at $13. Can't recommend. |
1 LIAM KAURI |
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