Saturday Racing Tips - Ruakaka 16/08/25

The best racing this Saturday in New Zealand comes from Ruakaka, where the headline contest is the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes.

In what is an interesting card, 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 Picklebet)

Selections:

Geneva – 2.30

Cashla Bay – 5.10

Yokuzuna – 8.60

BEST BET – Geneva

Geneva is likely to start as the warm favourite for the Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes. Having won so impressively on his debut at Te Rapa, he has had eleven weeks off the track, but the sounds coming into the race is that he is training well. This could be the start of something exciting and his connections will hope that he can land a first graded contest here.

THE DANGER – Cashla Bay

Despite the popularity of Geneva, Cashla Bay will give him plenty to think about. One of the most experienced in this line up, he has won two of his last three and arrives following a strong showing at the track two weeks ago. With experience and a fair bit of class, he looks to be a real threat.

VALUE BET – Yokozuna

If wanting to back one at a price, then why not side with Yokozuna. Like Geneva, he has just had the one start, with that race resulting in a good win at the track a month ago. He has plenty to improve on but could be progressive enough to win a race of this nature.

Selections:

Age of Discovery – 2.20

Fantastic Smile – 4.00

Reptak – 4.85

Notabadbergs – 17.00

BEST BET – Age of Discovery

Away from the Cambridge Stud Breeders Stakes, one of the most popular horses to follow on the Ruakaka card may well be Age of Discovery. Set to jump as the heavy favourite in the third race of the day, he started his career well with two successive victories. Something was clearly amiss last time as he could only finish 6th, but after reporting lame, he has had time to recover and should be ready to resume the winning thread here.

THE DANGER – Fantastic Smile

Hoping to capitalise on Age of Discovery’s potential rustiness is Fantastic Smile. Fit and ready to fire, his last three wins have seen him finish first, second and second. Consistent he should be on the premises once again here and could be a great alternative if you feel Age of Discovery is trading too short in the market.

VALUE BET – Notabadbergs

If backing horses at a double figure price is more your game it could be worth taking a glance at Notabadbergs. Whilst you would require a leap of faith, he won well two weeks ago at the track and certainly isn’t a forlorn hope to follow up.

Selections:

Brego – 3.70

Saltburn – 5.60

Elphaba – 23.00

BEST BET – Brego

In the second race of the day, it’s fair to say the race may not take a lot to win it. Likely to start as the one to beat is Brego. A three-runner maiden, he has finished third in each of his last two starts and boasts some of the best form in the contest. Unexposed in comparison to most of his rivals, it could be a case of fourth time lucky here.

THE DANGER – Saltburn

In a race where the quality angles can be hard to find, one of the main dangers looks to be Saltburn. Despite being a nine-runner maiden he has placed on six occasions, and you get a sense his time could be near. This looks like the perfect opportunity to get off the mark and he could be one for your shortlist.

VALUE BET – Elphaba

In a low-level contest such as this, no horse should be discounted and Elphaba has a chance despite her long odds. She ran well on debut and showed some real promise before tamely tailing off last time out. She resumes having had 19 weeks off the track and she could build on that debut run here.

Picklebet has forged a brilliant reputation for both its Australian and New Zealand horse racing. If you are looking for the perfect betting partner this weekend it makes sense to choose Picklebet for all your betting needs.

Containing a brilliant and easy to use app, you can view all of Saturday’s racing at the click of a button. With commentary on each and every horse declared for Saturday’s card, you can get a real sense of where the value in each race lies.

Offering competitive odds and a whole host of different sports to bet on including a comprehensive e-sportsbook, make Picklebet your bookmaker of choice.

Join us every Saturday and Wednesday 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.

Vinnie Colgan takes the ride of the promising Yokozuna in the feature race of the card and he will hope his day ends with multiple winners. Although there are a few longshots, he could be the man to follow across Saturday’s card.

Vinnie Colgan rides:

R1 – 11 – Able Dancer – 83.00

R2 – 1 – Saltburn – 5.60

R5 – 7 – Swerve – 61.00

R6 – Yokozuna – 8.60

R8 – Gameplay – 34.00

If you like the look of our bet of the day and our next best bet, then why not combine them for a tasty looking double.

R3 – 4 – Age of Discovery – WIN $2.20
R6 – 1 – Geneva – WIN $2.30

Total Odds = $4.60
$10 Stake = $50.60 Return!

Odds provided by Bet365.

If you don’t like the look of our treble, then fear not as our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of bets that you can place. If you want to find out more explore it today.

Racecourse Trifecta Tip

1st: 1, 4, 9, 15

2nd: 1, 4, 9, 15 

3rd: 1, 4, 9, 15

$50 stake = 208% flexi

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