New Zealand Tips 27/05/2023

Our form expert provides New Zealand tips for today’s horse racing at Pukekohe and Trentham Racecourses and gives his best bets.

PUKEKOHE

BEST BET 🏆

Race 4:  No.1 DEVASTATE  ($2.20 with Ladbrokes)

The Andrew Forsman-trained DEVASTATE is second-up today and should prove a hard nut to crack in this contest. Last start, the Vadamos gelding was fresh off a 15-week spell when he finished third in a BM75 over 1400m at Te Rapa. Trying to lead all the way, he looked good to the 200m mark when his condition started to wither but to his credit, hung on gamely for that podium finish. Race tactics will be interesting here as he draws the outside gate (10), leaving Michael McNab with options. All three career wins to date have come on wet tracks so conditions today look ideal. Already a winner when second-up, he looks the testing material today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 6:  No.1  CRYSTALLIZE  ($5 with Bet Right)

The training team of Danny Walker & Arron Tata saddle-up CRYSTALLIZE here who is third-up today and boasting a solid track record, looks right in the mix among these gallopers. Last start, the Iffraaj gelding improved enough to beat all but one home in Open company over 1300m at Te Rapa. He steps-up to a more suitable trip today with his three previous starts here resulting in two wins. He is on a seven-day back-up here and thrives on wet tracks, boasting all eight career wins coming in the conditions. Ace Lawson-Carroll returns for the ride today who has already steered the gelding to two wins and three other podium finishes. All boxes appear ticked here and already a winner when third-up, he lines-up here a serious contender today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 2:  No.3  OUR TRISTABELLE  ($12.20 with BoomBet)

The Team Williams-trained OUR TRISTABELLE resumes off a 15-week spell today and has the ability to give this contest a real shake at odds. Last start, the Tavistock mare came off a BM75 win at Tauranga when she raced three-wide most of the way and finished unplaced against similar company, here over the mile. She was then sent to the paddock for almost four months. Placed twice previously from three first-up appearances, She lines-up here on fresh legs with Warren Kennedy aboard who steered her to that Tauranga win two starts back. Nicely drawn in gate four, she maps to settle just behind the speed and if they turn it on up front early, watch for a big finish from this four-year-old.

TRENTHAM

BEST BET 🏆

Race 8:  No.3  SACRED PEARL  ($2.90 with Unibet)

The Lisa Latta-trained SACRED PEARL is second-up today and boasting a strong track record, looks the one to beat here. Last start, the Sacred Falls mare improved enough to beat all but one home in a BM75 over 1400m at Awapuni. Jumping from the car park in gate 12, Joe Kamaruddin eased the mare back to the tail and took the trail from there. On straightening, he was the widest runner and finished strongly but just didn’t have enough juice left to finish one better. A superb effort when first-up and covering more ground than a marathon runner. She will strip a lot fitter here and already a two-time winner at Trentham, she should prove hard to hold out today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 6:  No.1  VERRY FLASH  ($3.40 with Bet Right)

The Kevin Myers-trained VERRY FLASH has conditions here to suit and looks a solid chance of making it a dozen career wins today. Last start, the Zed gelding was second-up when he claimed third prize in Open company over 1800m at New Plymouth. Well back most of the way, he took the turn via the cape and did well to make up enough ground to finish on the podium that day. He boasts an impressive third-up record, with two wins and as many runner-up finishes form five previous appearances and has won two of his three starts on this track as well. All 11 career wins have come on wet tracks so the scene looks set for a big performance here today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.5  WHERE’S WALLY  ($7.10 with BoomBet)

Andrew Carston saddles-up WHERE’S WALLY here who is in great touch this time in and ticks enough boxes to suggest he is a serious contender for the trophy today. Last start, the Ghibellines gelding was third-up when he hit top gear to claim victory in a BM65 over 1200m at Riccarton. Ridden a treat by apprentice Lily Sutherland, he sat just behind the pace, and passing the 200m mark, knuckled down to the task and reeled in the leader, going on to win by two lengths in the 13-strong contest. Up slightly in grade today, Sutherland sticks with the six-year-old and after her claim, the gelding carries 2kgs less than that last-start win. He is a different galloper this preparation and looks in the mix here at odds today.