Saturday Racing Tips - Pukekura Raceway 18/07/26

The best of the Saturday racing from New Zealand comes from Pukekura Raceway where the headline race is the Agfirst Engineering Opunake Cup.

In what is a fantastic day of racing, ahead of the first race we have run our eye through the card and picked out some of our best horse racing tips. As well as our exclusive tips we have highlighted three races which look to be the most competitive of the day. Whether you want to back a short priced favourite, or a horse at longer odds, read on as we have every angle covered.

(Note: Odds provided by 20Bet)

Selections:

Bokushi – 2.05

Lacey Luck – 5.50

Chill Factor – 8.50

BEST BET – Bokushi

In the second race of the day Bokushi will have plenty of followers. Yet to win after five races, he has placed on four occasions, with two of those efforts coming at this track. He has the best form in the race and has been given the plum draw. He is the one to beat.

THE DANGER – Lacey Luck

Lacey Luck is a seven-runner maiden who has placed in three of those contests. The penny seems to have dropped of late with two of placed runs coming in her last two starts. She has the experience to win here but will need to run far better than her last visit to the track where she finished ninth out of ten starters.

VALUE BET – Chill Factor

In a race of this nature, it could be worth siding with an improver and Chill Factor could be that horse. Having had three starts, he showed signiicant improvement when finishing second at Tauherenikau last time out. That effort came 31 weeks ago so there are fitness concerns. However, if he can come close to repeating that effort, he must be in with an outside chance.

Selections:

Drommy – 2.30

Performer – 4.40

Meisai – 11.00

BEST BET – Performer

On the fourth race of the card, we are taking a chance that Performer can get on the scoresheet for the first time. He just missed out at Arawa Park on debut, but there was plenty of market confidence behind him that day. Craig Grylls takes the ride, and a big effort can be expected.

THE DANGER – Drommy

Drommy will likely lead the betting markets and there is plenty to like. A winner last time out at Te Aroha, that was done in a nice style and Sam McNab keeps the ride. He will come from off the pace, so look for him to flash home late. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he was to win here.

VALUE BET – Meisai

Meisai is another last time winner but could start at five times the price of Drommy. She was a winner on the same card as Drommy and although her race was weaker, she defied her odds nicely that day. She has been given a nice draw and can certainly compete for the places.

Selections:

Bonnard – 3.50

Prioress – 23.00

Tavis Court – 23.00

BEST BET – Bonnard

The Agfirst Engineering Opunake Cup is the race of the weekend and Bonnard is due to start as the warm favourite and its easy to see why. A winner of five of his nine starts, he has beaten out several reopposing rivals and looks like a horse made for this grade. This is tough and he won’t have things all his own way – however, he is unexposed compared to most in this field and should give it a good go off the front.

THE DANGER – Prioress

Realistically every horse in this field has a golden chance of victory, but one horse we like the look of Prioress. A winner of two of her last four, including last time out at Hawera, she is thriving at the moment. That last win came just seven days ago and conditions should be perfect. She has a live chance.

VALUE BET – Tavis Court

Tavis Court is our long shot of the day and like Prioress, he comes into the race in good recent form. He was beaten by Prioress in the pair’s last start, but crucially he carries less weight here. Yes, he has form to find, but a big run can be expected.

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Join us every Saturday, Wednesday and Sunday for our exclusive racing tips.

Each week we will provide the very best free horse racing tips that have been compiled by our experts.

Making sure that you don’t miss any of New Zealand’s biggest races, we will let you know what horses to watch out for and what horses could be capable of winning at a big price.

Providing information about the track and who are the notable jockeys to follow, our experts will provide you with all the information you need to know.

We will also cover any bonus bet or other promotions that are running that day and even have recommendations for other bets like multi tips, and our daily quaddie.

For a more in-depth explanation of horse racing bet types and tips for placing, visit our tips and information page.

Craig Grylls has his best winning strike rate at Pukekura Raceway and looks to have some great chances to add to his already impressive numbers.

Craig Grylls rides:

R2 – 1 – Bokushi – 2.05

R4 – 5 – Performer – 4.40

R5 – 9 – Belles Fate – 9.00

R6 – 2 – Principled – 10.00

R8 – 5 – Astoria Brooke – 3.10

Why not back our Craig Grylls treble?

Treble:

R2 - 1 – Bokushi - WIN $2.05
R4 - 5 – Performer - WIN $4.40
R8 - 5 – Astoria Brooke - WIN $3.10

Total Odds = $26.96
$10 Stake = $279.62 Return!

Odds provided by Sportaza

Our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of exotics betting, check it out for clarification on the different types of exotics betting or just to brush up on your knowledge.

Racecourse Trifecta Tip
For example:
1st: 1, 4, 9, 15
2nd: 1, 4, 9, 15
3rd: 1, 4, 9, 15

$50 stake = 208% flexi

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