New Zealand Racing Tips for Saturday, February 21st 2026

We have expert betting tips for the New Zealand racing cards this Saturday at Ellerslie and Otaki.

There is always great value at the NZ horse racing meetings, and we have our best bets across the two cards.

Ellerslie racing tips

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Race 1. (10:25) Eagle Charters Maiden (1100m)

#4 – Seize the Day @ $2.90

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Seize the Day is a good chance to win on debut for Te Akau after showing good form at the trials.

The two-year-old colt by I Am Invincible is bred to be better than average, and he scored a trial win at Ellerslie.

That’s good enough form to consider for the opening race.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 2. (10:59) Myracehorse BM65 (2100m)

#13 – Andorra @ $6.50

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Punters get each-way value for Andorra, who has steadily improved recently with back-to-back placings.

The five-year-old mare by Pierro owns a win and four placings from nine starts, and after placing at Ellerslie last start, she doesn’t need to improve.

She has a strong rider on board, which is a bonus.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 3. (11:35) Bentleys Chartered Accountants BM75 (1400m)

#2 – Yaldi @ $6.50

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Yaldi needs to get back to his best form, which was good enough to see him run well in Australia.

The Andrew Forsman-trained gelding scored placings at Caulfield and Bendigo before running fourth behind Grand Larceny at Flemington.

It’s good form, and this is his best chance to post a win.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 4. (12:09) Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m)

#6 – Panther @ $7.00

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Panther didn’t have much chance to win last time out when only getting clear late, but his run for second was a good performance.

The three-year-old colt by Ace High is bred to enjoy the rise in distance better than most in this field, which is his biggest asset.

Punters get value odds in the stakes race.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 6. (13:28) Otaki Maori Classic (1600m) – GROUP 1

Read our full Otaki Maori Classic preview here – including best bets, trifecta and first four picks!

Race 8. (14:38) New Zealand Oaks (2400m) – GROUP 1

Read our full New Zealand Oaks preview here – including best bets, trifecta and first four picks!

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Otaki racing tips

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Race 1. (10:10) Cavallo Farms & Chris Rutten Bloodstock 3YO (1400m)

#4 – Battle Tycoon @ $2.30

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Battle Tycoon couldn’t have been more impressive when beating a tidy field by three lengths last start, so he’s our top pick.

The three-year-old colt by Written Tycoon is bred to be handy, and he should get through conditions better than most.

He’s a good multi bet inclusion.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 2. (10:43) Aquashield Roofing Maiden (1200m)

#4 – Roc All Night @ $2.80

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Robbie Patterson has a good record with his runners on debut, and Roc All Night has shown speed at the trials.

The three-year-old son of El Roca is unbeaten in two trials, and with Sierra Leone the current $2 favourite, punters get better odds than expected.

We expect money to come late, so take the early offering.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 3. (11:17) The Tele Otaki BM65 (1200m)

#7 – Shacktime @ $5.00

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Looking to cap off back-to-back placings with a win is Shacktime, who is bred to handle soft track conditions.

The four-year-old mare by Tivaci showed form when winning at Waverley last preparation, and there are no superstars in this race.

Barrier three is ideal, so she’s a good each-way bet.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 4. (11:55) Fastinternet BM75 (2000m)

#7 – Platinum Goddess @ $4.20

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Money has come for Platinum Goddess, who scored back-to-back wins at Wanganui and Trentham earlier this prep.

The four-year-old daughter of Alpine Eagle hasn’t been overly consistent in two runs since, but this race maps well for her.

After opening at $5.50, money has come for her.

Stake: 1 Unit

Editor In Chief

Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism.

Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NRL, AFL, NBA, Rugby, NFL, and US college sports.

Daryl's tips have been featured on various websites around the world before joining the GoBet team. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.