Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets 26/02/26

The racing action continues to heat up in Australia, and we see many New Zealand horses travel across the ditch in preparation for the massive Autumn Racing Carnival that awaits us. If you want to bet on horses, then you’ve come to the right place, as the BettingTop10 experts provide tips daily.

Today’s Best Bets

I’ve done the form and found three runners that are worthy of your time (and money!). For today, February 26, these are the runners you want to be on.

check-smallBest Odds provided

Racecourse & Time Horse Name Bet Type 

22BET

20bet

Ivibet
Wyong - Race 4, 5:20 PM2. PrattWin$5.50$5.50$5.50
Ipswich - Race 5, 7:25 PM3. San Jose BoyWin$3.75$3.70$3.70
Wyong - Race 8, 7:40 PM8. Dear JewelPlace$2.00$2.30$2.30
Wyong - Race 4, 5:20 PM
Horse Name 
2. Pratt
Bet Type 
Win

22BET
$5.50

20bet
$5.50

Ivibet
$5.50
Ipswich - Race 5, 7:25 PM
Horse Name 
3. San Jose Boy
Bet Type 
Win

22BET
$3.75
Wyong - Race 8, 7:40 PM
Horse Name 
8. Dear Jewel
Bet Type 
Place

20bet
$2.30

Ivibet
$2.30

Wyong - Race 4, 5:20 PM

horse-racing

Top Pick: 

2. Pratt

tip

Recommended Bet Type:

Win

winner

Best Odds Available:

NZ$5.50 with 20Bet

Quick Analysis:

Kicking things off today in Wyong, and my money’s on Pratt. The gelding gets a decent 3kg weight relief thanks to apprentice jockey Grady Spokes. Spokes has been on board Pratt for both runs so far this prep. They tackle this one third up, after a second and third placing so far this prep. He is already a winner at this track, and the $5.50 presents good value.

Ipswich - Race 5, 7:25 PM

horse-racing

Top Pick: 

3. San Jose Boy

tip

Recommended Bet Type:

Win

winner

Best Odds Available:

NZ$3.75 with 22Bet

Quick Analysis:

Switching over to Ipswich now, San Jose Boy is my pick in Race 5. This is a big field, and San Jose Boy is one of the more favoured runners. His last two races have been at this track and include a second placing in a BM65. He gets the winkers back on, and Ben Thompson takes over in the saddle. He is good enough to overcome the wide draw.

Wyong - Race 8, 7:40 PM

horse-racing

Top Pick: 

8. Dear Jewel

tip

Recommended Bet Type:

Place

winner

Best Odds Available:

NZ$2.30 with Ivibet

Quick Analysis:

For my last best bet of the day, we’re back in Wyong for the last race at the track. Dear Jewel looks to be my value play of the day, and I’ll be taking her to finish in the top three. She may be untried at 1,000m, but did place at 900m on debut. She has produced a solid run here at Wyong previously, finishing fourth by 0.54L. Race tactics will dictate how she goes in this one.

  • Vampi Queen maps to control the race from a favourable draw and has already placed this preparation at Bunbury. She looks ready to take out Race 4 at Bunbury.
  • Ally was narrowly beaten as a favourite at Sunshine Coast last start and has already recorded a win and a placing this campaign. She can return to winning form in Race 6 at Ipswich.
  • Houdini was narrowly denied when heavily backed at Sale last start and has been racing consistently this preparation. He looks well placed to go one better in Race 8 at Pakenham.

Katherine is a sports betting and igaming writer from Sydney, Australia. She has worked within the sports industry for almost a decade now, which spans virtually her entire working career. Her passion for sports began at a very young age, and now she can’t go a day without watching sports. She has previously worked at one of the biggest horse racing sites in Australia, as well as at an Australian bookmaker.