Phar Lap Raceway   23 Sep 2026
 
GOING: S(7)

LOVERACING.NZ REMEMBERING GREY WAY 1600m

Track: SOFT 7     Out 3m from 1000m to 400m, remainder True  

Strong pace with O'riordan, Megalomaniac and Eight Pence pushing forward, closely attended by Cognoscenti and Way Out West. COGNOSCENTI (2) fought on gamely despite needing the run here fresh up just over a fortnight ago, finishing runner-up by a couple of lengths. He generally improves quickly with racing, and if he is not already wanting more ground than 1600m, then he can turn the tables on the second pick in this. O'RIORDAN (3) was well-rated outside the pace when beating the top pick here last start off a brief freshen up. She is still nicely treated at the weights, and can repeat the dose. SMOOTH OPERATOR (1) is a top performer when fit, and he would have taken great benefit from his recent modest effort against the top 2 picks in the same race when resuming from a spell. Expect him to be more competitive this time. WAY OUT WEST (7) was third against most of these last start as the favourite, and she can set the record straight this time, so follow your money. VICTORIAN CHARM (5) has needed racing to get fit, and he is capable of a top 3 finish in this at value. SUGGESTED PLAY: Victorian Charm each way.
1 510x5 SMOOTH OPERATOR
STEPHANIE FAULKNER
7YO  BROWN  GELDING 60.0KG
BARRY AVIS, M VLASIC, R DAWKINS, P FAULKNER, K WALSH, D FERGUSON, M DIJKSTRA & S TWEEDIE
Second run back. First-up after four months ran last in a small field at this track on September 6 over 1600m, slow going 9 len behind O'riordan carrying 58kg at $8.80. Previously second-up from last on the turn 6th of 8 at this track on September 24 over 1600m, slow going 3.5 len behind Natural Momentum carrying 60kg at $4.70. Fitter for that run and expected to be in the finish this time.
2
LIAM KAURI
NAVY BLUE, ORANGE STARS , NAVY BLUE SLEEVES, ORANGE ARMBANDS , CAP
2 211x2 COGNOSCENTI
MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON
5YO  BROWN  GELDING 56.0KG
TE AKAU BID YOU FAREWELL RACING PARTNERSHIP (MGR: KARYN FENTON-ELLIS MNZM)
Second run back. First-up after five months 2nd in a small field at this track on September 6 over 1600m, slow going 2 len behind O'riordan with 54.5kg at $2.70. Previously second-up 9th of 18 at Riccarton Park on November 8 over 1600m, 5 len behind Pequot carrying 59.5kg at $5.60. Will be hard to beat.
8
HAYLEY HASSMAN
ORANGE, BLUE STARS, STRIPES SLEEVES
3 835x1 O'RIORDAN
STEPHANIE FAULKNER
7YO  BROWN  MARE 54.0KG
S J ADLAM, W B MURNEY, N P & P R PRENDERGAST
Second run back. First-up after two months won by 2 len at this track on September 6 over 1600m in soft going defeating Cognoscenti carrying 54kg at $3.50. Previously second-up 5th of 18 at Riccarton Park on November 8 over 1600m, 2.5 len behind Pequot carrying 57.5kg at $18.80. Can go on with it here.
9
L J ALLPRESS
EMERALD GREEN WITH GOLD HARP, EMERALD GREEN SLEEVES & CAP
4 163x3 EIGHT PENCE
LANCE ROBINSON
5YO  BAY  GELDING 54.0KG
GOLLAN FARMING LTD
Second run back. First-up after five months raced on the pace when 3rd of 11 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on August 20 over 1400m, 0.4 len behind Graeme John with 58kg at $11.90. Previously second-up 3rd of 9 at Riccarton Park Synthetic on September 11 2025 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Le Rogier with 55.5kg at $10.70. Not to be taken lightly.
5
KENDRA BAKKER
PURPLE, GOLD SEAMS, PURPLE SLEEVES WITH GOLD DIAMOND ARMBANDS, GOLD CAP WITH PURPLE SEAMS
5 7x457 VICTORIAN CHARM
BEVAN & ROBYN WILSON
7YO  BAY  GELDING 54.0KG
B W WILSON, R A WILSON & G J JOHNSON
Most recently 7th of 12 at Riccarton Park on September 12 over 1400m, in the wet; 5 len behind Hakkinen carrying 58.5kg at $16.40. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 8 at Riccarton Park on August 8 over 1400m, in the wet; 5 len behind Shawshank with 54kg at $13.70. Has ability and can return to form.
3
BRIDGET GRYLLS
ORANGE,BLACK QUARTERS,ARMBANDS,CAP
6 0x804 QUEEN OF KINGS
LEN & LACY STEWART
6YO  BAY  MARE 54.0KG
L STEWART
Last start ran second last in a small field at this track on September 6 over 1600m, slow going 5 len behind O'riordan carrying 54kg at $14.80. The run before that ran second last of 12 at Oamaru on July 19 over 1600m, on a wet track; 13 len behind Bella Luce with 54.5kg at $106.50. Others make more appeal.
6
G A JOGOO
MAROON, WHITE BRACES, WHITE SLEEVES, LIGHT PINK ARMBANDS, LIGHT PINK CAP
7 31143 WAY OUT WEST
STEPHANIE FAULKNER
5YO  BAY  MARE 54.0KG
JOHN HARGREAVES, JAY CONSTABLE, MATT & RACHEL RICHARDS, ROGER STEPHENS, JACQUI BAIRD, BRENDON BINGHAM, DOUG & ROBYN STALKER, JAN NEWTON, KEVIN WALSH, GEOFF CULLEN, PETER & STEPHAINE FAULKNER, DIANE FERGUSON, TONY JACKSON, CHRIS JOHNSON
Recent form sound. Last start 3rd in a small field at this track on September 6 over 1600m, slow going 4.5 len behind O'riordan carrying 54kg at $2.70. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 at Riccarton Park on August 8 over 1600m, on a wet track; 2.25 len behind Flash Roca carrying 56.5kg at $5.60. Top 4 prospects.
7
M CAMERON
NAVY BLUE, ORANGE STARS , NAVY BLUE SLEEVES, ORANGE ARMBANDS , CAP
8 8l061 MEGALOMANIAC
MAURICE FORDE
9YO  BAY  GELDING 54.0KG
M E FORDE
Last start won by a 0.4 len at Wingatui on September 4 over 1200m in heavy going defeating Magnastar carrying 56kg at $9. The run before that 6th of 8 at Oamaru on August 14 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 3.5 len behind Claudius Maximuss carrying 56.5kg at $23.10. Better last time but others rate higher here..
1
OHARA NAJIB
EMERALD GREEN,GOLD CROSSED SASHES, STRIPES SLEEVES, STRIPES CAP
9 1070x TRALEE BAY
JO-ANNE DALTON
6YO  BAY  GELDING 54.0KG
A B & MRS K R HARPER, MRS J F & T KILKELLY
Resuming after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last campaign 12th of 14 at Oamaru July 19 over 1400m, in the wet; 12 len behind Shawshank carrying 57.5kg at $27.30. First up last campaign eighth of 11 at Ascot Park April 19 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 8 len behind Flash Roca with 56.5kg at $13. Maybe later.
4
T R MOSELEY
LIGHT BLUE, BROWN QUARTERS, LIGHT BLUE SLEEVES, BROWN ARMBANDS, QUARTERED CAP