New Zealand Racing Tips for Saturday, May 17th 2025

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

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. (9:50) Trackside Maiden (1200m)

#1 – Schmooze @ $6.00

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Schmooze has been backed and beaten a few times this season, but we’re prepared to give him another chance.

The four-year-old owns four placings from seven starts, and he has promised to rise to another level, and this field isn’t overly difficult.

Take the value odds available with bookmakers.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 2. (10:25) Sistema BM65 (1600m)

#14 – Reinstatement @ $6.50

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Reinstatement turned her form around when running second at Ellerslie last start, and she’s good enough to go one better.

The six-year-old daughter of Wrote gets in light with 55.5kg on her back, which could be enough to take her close.

She’s another runner paying each-way odds at Ellerslie.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 3. (11:00) Network Visuals Handicap (1400m)

#8 – Whiskey ‘N Roses @ $4.50

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This season hasn’t gone to plan for Whiskey ‘N Roses, who showed excellent speed early on before suffering some bad luck.

The three-year-old has finished behind the likes of Ardalio and Yaldi, so the form checks out, and this race is much easier.

Dropping to 53kg makes him a weighting special, so include him in picks.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 4. (11:35) Skycity Champagne Stakes (1600m)

#1 – Towering Vision @ $2.50

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Towering Vision was too good for them at Te Rapa, which should be a good form guide for the Champagne Stakes.

The Te Akau-raced gelding won by a nose as an $11.20 chance, and we’re not surprised to see much shorter odds for this race.

Craig Grylls rides and he’s currently the best in NZ.

Stake: 2 Units

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Trentham racing tips

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Race 1. (10:10) Harrison’s Carpet 3YO (1600m)

#1 – Coulthard @ $3.00

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Coulthard has been all around the mark throughout his career, including one win and three placings from six starts.

The Lisa Latta-trained gelding ran third at Wanganui behind Belle Tribute, and he was only a narrow margin behind them.

This race is right up his alley, so back with confidence.

Stake: 3 Units

Race 2. (10:45) Waterforce Maiden (1600m)

#5 – Wal @ $12.00

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Wal did well to run third fresh up at Woodville, and a repeat of that effort is good enough to be competitive here.

The four-year-old has experience racing at Trentham, and with three placings over the distance, he should be right around the mark.

The $12 odds are worth including on horse racing picks.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 3. (11:20) John Turkington Forestry BM75 (2200m)

#9 – Who Knows @ $2.60

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Who Knows is better for two runs back from a spell, including a fourth at Wanganui last time out.

She didn’t get all favours in the run late, so she should be better for the run, and the odds aren’t surprising.

With 55.5kg on her back, she’s clearly the one to beat.

Stake: 2.5 Units

Race 4. (12:02) Stout Roofing Handicap (1200m)

#5 – Kana @ $5.50

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Kana makes her return, and being a past winner at Trentham adds weight to her winning hopes.

The five-year-old daughter of Tivaci owns five wins from 26 starts overall, and dropping to 51kg will feel like a dream for her.

Based on that, she’s worth backing on an each-way basis.

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.