New Zealand Racing Tips for Saturday, June 28th 2025

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

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

Trentham racing tips

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Race 1. (9:00) Norm Bevan Memorial Maiden Steeplechase (4000m)

#1 – Catch and Release @ $2.70

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Catch and Release is nearing a jumps win following a second placing at Te Rapa, despite being an incredible 89 lengths behind the winner.

He hasn’t had the best of luck since moving to jumps racing, but Kevin Myers is the man to follow, hence the shortening odds.

We expect him to be tough to beat and break his jumping duck.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 2. (9:35) Autotech Doors Maiden Hurdle (2500m)

#1 – Sir Maverick @ $4.00

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Each-way value is with Sir Maverick, who has been threatening to win this preparation with three placings from four starts.

The John Wheeler-trained runner might have needed the miles in his legs, and although there is an odds-on favourite, he’s good enough to beat it.

Include in picks as an each-way chance.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 3. (10:07) Life Direct Maiden Hurdle (2500m)

#6 –Our Daymo @ $3.40

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After opening at $4.80, money has come for Our Daymo, who owns two wins and two placings from nine career starts.

The six-year-old son of Zed is making his jumping debut, and it could be a winning one, so we’re not surprised by the money coming for him.

He looks good enough to beat the short odds favourite.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 4. (10:39) Aztech Engineering Wellington Hurdle (3200m)

#3 – Verry Flash @ $5.00

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Value is with Verry Flash, who won well at Wanganui three back before placing at Trentham and Te Rapa.

The 10-year-old son of Zed owns two wins and three placings from seven starts at Trentham, so it has been a happy hunting ground.

We’re happy with the current odds, which are better than expected.

Stake: 2.5 Units

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Ruakaka racing tips

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Race 1. (9:50) Ruakaka Your Best Bet Maiden (1200m)

#1 – Top Dollar @ $2.80

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Looking to make a winning return to racing is Top Dollar, who ran second on debut at Cambridge before finishing fourth at Ruakaka.

With the North Island getting hammered with rain this week, the sand-based track is vital. He has shown a liking to it so far, which is good to see.

Take the odds before money comes for him late.

Stake: 3 Units

Race 2. (10:22) July Northpine Waipu Cup Raceday Maiden (1200m)

#2 – Watch Me Go @ $6.00

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Watch Me Go has been right around the mark in two career starts for two placings, and he should enjoy racing on this track.

The three-year-old son of Cosmic Force was only two lengths behind the winner at Cambridge, and trainer Chris Wood has a good record at Ruakaka.

Weight comes off his back, so include him in picks.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 3. (10:54) Northland Business Systems Maiden (1600m)

#9 – Chataya @ $9.00

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Punters get value odds for Chataya, who posted three consecutive placings before finishing fifth last time out.

It’s solid enough form for this level of racing, and we don’t think it will take her long to break maiden status this winter.

Dropping to 55.5kg should take her close.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 4. (11:29) ITM 2YO Championship Final (1200m)

#3 – Ashoka @ $3.60

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Ashoka ran a close second behind Boombox on debut at Ellerslie, and it’s good enough to turn the tables on the joint favourite.

The two-year-old son of Hello Youmzain is bred to be better than average, and he will only improve with that run under his belt.

Take the $3.60 before money comes for him late.

Stake: 2 Units

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.