NZ - Te Aroha - Race 2

Thoroughbred

13 Runners

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 5

10.5K

VIEW

Verdict

THE SPANIARD (2) was placed at 1m and 1 5/16m late in first prep when running on from beyond midfield. Only beaten a neck on debut at this trip here in March. Danger. PAPPARAZZI (1) made up a lot of ground from the rear for 3rd over 7f here when fresh then stayed much handier and fought on strongly at this trip last time. Sound claims. DEE MACK (13) debutant coming off a trial win when put in big strides late and pricked his ears at the line. Drawn perfectly to give this a shake. MORIENTES (7) has had two trials this prep and ran on ok from last very late over 6f in the latest October 6. Worth thought first-up at 1m. TACO (4) was beaten less than 1L after racing handy on debut over 1m back in June 2025. Obviously had problems but consider on debut effort.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
8	Recent form sound. At the latest run 3rd of 14 at Matamata on October 3 over 1m, on a slow track, 1.5 len behind Chica De Oro with 125lbs at $2.20. The race before that 3rd of 7 at Taupo on September 11 over 7f, on a slow track, 2.5 len behind Fiamma carrying 127lbs at $4.70. Should be nice and fit fourth up and can get the win here. 1st Pick 8 Arrazola Jockey: Non Runner Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Non Runner T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	175	-	-	-	1%	Scratched
Analysis Recent form sound. At the latest run 3rd of 14 at Matamata on October 3 over 1m, on a slow track, 1.5 len behind Chica De Oro with 125lbs at $2.20. The race before that 3rd of 7 at Taupo on September 11 over 7f, on a slow track, 2.5 len behind Fiamma carrying 127lbs at $4.70. Should be nice and fit fourth up and can get the win here.
2	Resuming. Finished off last campaign sixth of 11 at Te Rapa May 24 over 1m, soft track, 2 len behind Moretothinkabout with 129lbs at $3.40. On debut second of 13 at this track March 6 over 1m, soft track, a 0.3 lengths behind Ballbeena with 128lbs at $4.10. Expected to feature. 2nd Pick 2 The Spaniard Jockey: George Rooke Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood J: George Rooke T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood	123	-	-	-	50%
Analysis Resuming. Finished off last campaign sixth of 11 at Te Rapa May 24 over 1m, soft track, 2 len behind Moretothinkabout with 129lbs at $3.40. On debut second of 13 at this track March 6 over 1m, soft track, a 0.3 lengths behind Ballbeena with 128lbs at $4.10. Expected to feature.
3	Dual acceptor. Returns from a 33-day let-up. At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 9 at this track on September 18 over 7f, on rain affected going, 1.2 len behind Queen Sansa with 150lbs at $3.70. The start before that 6th of 14 at Ruakaka on September 2 over 6f, slow going 2 len behind Unleash Yourself carrying 129lbs at $6.20. Strong chance. 3rd Pick 3 Foo Foo Jockey: Non Runner Trainer: Alex Forbes J: Non Runner T: Alex Forbes	145	-	-	-	19%	Scratched
Analysis Dual acceptor. Returns from a 33-day let-up. At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 9 at this track on September 18 over 7f, on rain affected going, 1.2 len behind Queen Sansa with 150lbs at $3.70. The start before that 6th of 14 at Ruakaka on September 2 over 6f, slow going 2 len behind Unleash Yourself carrying 129lbs at $6.20. Strong chance.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Also Eligible

A horse that is entered but does not draw into the body of the field due to too many entries, and thus is not permitted to start unless there are enough scratches to shrink the field size.

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A male horse that is four years of age or under.

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A race with non-claiming conditions set by the racing secretary. They are meant to be a step down from stakes racing.