Te Aroha   21 Jun 2026
 
GOING: H(10)

THE GRAND TAVERN 1150m

Track: HEAVY 10     Out 9m 850m-550m Remainder Out 6m  

Opaea Joe to take charge ahead of La Cadiere at a strong tempo. LA CADIERE (4) followed up some sound efforts to open this campaign with a comfortable maiden win on the Cambridge poly track just over 2 weeks ago. She won't find this much harder, and now that the penny has dropped, she has the scope to go on with it. LUMINANCE (9) has been unsuited by some really heavy tracks in both of her starts back from a spell. If she can strike a slightly firmer surface, then she can turn her form around in a field like this. LADY IMPENDING (2) has yet to fire in a couple of Bm75 fields, and she will find this much easier. She cops a wide gate, but can still take this out. NIAGARA SKY (3) resumes from a spell at an easier level than any of her 3 starts last winter. She is stronger now and looked ready to rumble when winning a trial in late April. She has been held back for the wet ground, and with the aid of a 2kg claim, she can give this a big shake. FLUTTERBELLE (6) is a genuine wet track mare resuming from a spell. Follow the market moves. OPAEA JOE (1) SUGGESTED PLAY: Luminance each way value.
1 90120 OPAEA JOE
GAVIN OPIE
7YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
GAVIN OPIE RACING LTD, K PITMAN, K SINGH, A J TATA, A P & G E THOMAS
At the latest run 12th of 14 at Matamata on June 14 over 1200m, slow going 13 len behind Quondo with 55kg at $17.90. The start before that 2nd in a small field at Cambridge Synthetic on June 3 over 970m, long-neck behind Perfect Dividends carrying 50.5kg at $7.80. Can atone.
8
TOM WIGRAM
BLACK, WHITE FERNLEAF, ARMBANDS, CAP
2 95x60 LADY IMPENDING
STEPHEN MARSH
4YO  BAY  MARE 58.0KG
R A CARTER & B KENDALL
Third-up today. Resuming 6th of 9 at Ellerslie on May 16 over 1100m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Grinzinger Moon carrying 54kg at $9.20. Last start 10th of 13 at Te Rapa on May 30 over 1200m, slow going 2.75 len behind Moneypenny with 54kg at $27.10. Likely improver who gets her chance to break through.
11
WIREMU PINN
TURQUOISE, WHITE FIVE DIAMONDS, GOLD SLEEVES,WHITE DIAMOND ARMBANDS, DIAMONDS CAP
3 x390x NIAGARA SKY
RALPH MANNING
5YO  BAY  MARE 58.0KG
EAGLE RACING
Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign when last of 10 at this track August 31 over 1150m, on heavy track; 26 len behind Jethro Tull carrying 54kg at $10.60. When resuming last campaign third of 9 at New Plymouth Raceway June 10 2025 over 1200m, on heavy track; 1.1 len behind Finest Hour with 51.5kg at $4.20. Trialled prior to this and looks set for another bold first-up showing.
6
RIHAAN GOYARAM
YELLOW, BLACK and white CHECKED SASH
4 5x551 LA CADIERE
BEN & RYAN FOOTE
3YO  BAY  FILLY 57.0KG
4 GUYS AND A HORSE SYNDICATE, MRS K E, M & MISS M & EST LATE R B PRISCOTT
At the latest run won by 0.8 len at Cambridge Synthetic June 3 over 1300m defeating Dink with 54.5kg at $6.10. Before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 9 at Hawera on May 17 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Madison carrying 57.5kg at $5.80. Key chance expected to feature.
5
SAM MCNAB
WHITE ,ORANGE HOOPS, WHITE SLEEVES, ORANGE CAP
5 168x0 ZEFFERT
PETER & JESSICA BROSNAN
5YO  BAY  GELDING 57.0KG
JJ STEFFERT, KEITH MILLER, WARWICK STEFFERT
Second run back. First-up after eight months ran second last of 11 at this track on June 4 over 1150m, on a wet track; 22 len behind Jelly Roll carrying 60kg at $34.50. Previously second-up 3rd of 10 at Arawa Park on July 2 over 1230m, in the wet; 6 len behind Sweetazme with 58.5kg at $48.60. Still early in the prep and might need more time.
1
ERIN M LEIGHTON
GREEN,GOLD QUARTERS ,WHITE SLEEVES,GOLD DOUBLE ARMBAND,GOLD CAP
6 6518x FLUTTERBELLE
G A & D G ROGERSON & CLINT ISDALE
5YO  BAY  MARE 57.0KG
C R J ISDALE & DARIOUS BOYD
Is first-up after a break of four-and-a-half months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation eighth of 10 at Otaki February 8 over 1400m, soft track; 6 len behind Bean A Pleasure carrying 55kg at $12. Previously first up; third of 9 at Hawera March 26 2025 over 1200m, soft track; 1.5 len behind Tullamore Dew carrying 56.5kg at $4.50. Expecting a strong run fresh.
3
ELEN NICHOLAS
TURQUOISE,WHITE DIAMOND BAND
7 14x00 SHINIQUA
STEPHEN AUTRIDGE
3YO  BAY  FILLY 56.0KG
GRAEME HUNT, ANN REEVES & PETER HUNT
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Comes off a 36 day let-up. First-up ran last of 12 at Ellerslie on April 27 over 1200m, slow going 10 len behind Avantaggia with 52.5kg at $31.70. Last start raced on the pace before fading ran last of 10 at Ellerslie on May 16 over 1100m, on a slow track; 10 len behind King's English with 53kg at $55.30. Struggling for best but could bounce back.
10
PINK,BLACK SLEEVES,WHITE STRIPES
8 860x3 RETURN MESSAGE
STEPHEN RALPH
6YO  BAY  MARE 56.0KG
RALPH THOROUGHBREDS LTD
Second-up. First-up after eight months 3rd of 11 at this track on June 4 over 1150m, on rain affected going; 1.4 len behind Jelly Roll carrying 55.5kg at $29.40. Previously second-up ran last of 8 at Matamata on September 12 over 1400m, on heavy track; 7 len behind King William carrying 52kg at $15.80. Strips fitter and is sure to be thereabouts.
7
JACK TAPLIN
RED, WHITE FOUR DIAMONDS, BLACK SLEEVES
9 54x79 LUMINANCE
KURTIS PERTAB
3YO  BAY  FILLY 55.0KG
TINEKE PERTAB
Third-up today. Resuming 7th of 9 at Otaki on April 24 over 1200m, on a wet track; 11 len behind Cremant with 55kg at $6.10. Second run from a spell 9th of 11 at this track on June 4 over 1150m, in the wet; 9 len behind Jelly Roll carrying 57.5kg at $5.90. Key chance in this line up and can improve sharply.
2
A LAWSON-CARROLL
NAVY,WHITE SEAMS, NAVY SLEEVES,WHITE STRIPES
10 0080x TAKEACHANCE
TRACY LOMAS
6YO  BAY  MARE 55.0KG
MISS T R LOMAS
Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation when last of 14 at this track August 31 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 27 len behind Rocking with 55.5kg at $34.80. Previously first up; second last of 8 at Tauranga March 30 2025 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Willit carrying 57kg at $14.60. Not keen on her chances.
9
L H SATHERLEY
WHITE,DARK BLUE CROSSED SASH,WHITE CAP,DARK BLUE QUARTERS
11 38x90 RIDGEVIEW VICKY
GAVIN OPIE
5YO  BROWN  MARE 54.0KG
S RAYNER, K OPIE, A MCRAE, D MCGALL, G PAETAI, B TAYLOR & J BULL
Third-up today. First-up got back early 9th of 12 at Matamata on May 13 over 1100m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Sabatini with 53.5kg at $28. Last start ran second last of 12 at Tauranga on May 29 over 1200m, 5.5 len behind Opaea Joe carrying 55.5kg at $19. Fully tested again.
4
JOE NISHIZUKA
ORANGE,EMERALD GREEN SLEEVES,INDIGO ARMBANDS,CAP