Horse racing: How to tackle the other Group 1s on Addington’s mammoth day
It is called New Zealand Cup day for a reason but there are 12 other races, including three more Group 1s, at Addington today.
Here is what to expect and how to attack them:
Race 8, 3.22pm: Nevele R Fillies Final
1980m mobile, $200,000, 3-year-old fillies
Perhaps the trickiest of the four Group 1s as it has the most winning chances and most early race scenarios.
The best two fillies in the race are Secret Wish (No 6) and Cherish Me (No 15) but there are five or six others who could win without surprising.
Secret Wish’s mid-frontline draw is awkward and may force Blair Orange to go forward on a likely hot speed while Cherish Me has been a constant improver this spring both in performance and manners.
If the first half of the race gets hectic then Cherish Me can sweep into it over the last lap and outstay them but if Orange gets the right trip, as he usually does, with the favourite, she is the filly to beat.
Northern Oaks winner Cath (1), All Of Me (2) Fly High (4), Indulge Me (5), Ride The Waves (7) and Aussie filly Ripples (12) are also winning chances in the Group 1 most likely to see an upset.
Suggested bet: Cherish Me (15) to win but with little confidence.
R9, 3.54pm, Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Final
1980m mobile, $200,000, 2-year-old males:
Really should be a race in two with few blowout hopes.
Faith Not Fear (1) is the fastest horse in the race but barrier 1 could be as much of a hindrance as a help because driver Sam Ottley may feel compelled to lead.
If he leads and gets an easy time, he could peel off a 55s last 800m (on a dry track) and be too quick but this race is notorious for mid-race pressure, and that can often undo a sheer speed horse.
The other most likely scenario is Tour Party (4) leading and giving Faith Not Fear the perfect trail but that also raises the possibility of Tour Party then handing up to get the trail and snookering the favourite.
Still, without getting too Machiavellian about the tactics, one of them should win.
Bamm Bamm (3) could be an early speed influence while Scoundrel (5) and Lucky Luka (6) are likeable horses but face covering more ground late or burning more petrol early than the favourites.
Suggested bet: Faith Not Fear (1) on top but he is awfully short and Bamm Bamm (3) Top 4 might be the value option.
R10, 4.35pm, Renwick Farms Dominion
3200m stand, $400,000, open trot:
The fact Queensland trotter Gus is the defending champion takes some getting used to but not as much as his $1.80 quote actually seeming a fair price.
He arrives back in New Zealand at a time when our four best trotters starting 2026 have all been retired and his last-start Albion Park win off 50m was super.
Don’t be fooled by his saddlecloth (12) as he will most likely start from the outside of the front line and if he brings his best form and behaves, he should win.
Mr Love (3) is the clear top danger as he is a Rowe Cup winner at this level and distance and has drawn best of the Kiwi winning chances.
Higher Power (8) could get handy early and he is a good Top 3/4 chance while Prestigious (14), Habibti Pat (15) and Meant To Be (18) are all good enough to be factors but are disadvantaged by second-line draws.
The other two visiting Australians in Gotfeelingsyouknow (6) and Rockinwithattitude (13) have some hope as the local stocks are such a mixed bag.
Suggested bets: Gus (12) should win but if that is too short for your tastes, Mr Love’s $2.60 place price is great value.
Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.