New Zealand Derby 2026 Betting Tips

We have expert horse racing tips for the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on Saturday, which is one of the biggest races of the year.

It takes place at Race 8 at 3:13pm, and we have a runner-by-runner betting guide available for the big race.

The race features the likes of That’s Gold, Autumn Glory, and Road to Paris, and the best Australian betting sites have value odds available!

Our best bets for the New Zealand Derby

Best Bet

Best Each Way

Best Roughie

New Zealand Derby Tips for Trifecta

Punters should have five runners on their ticket for the New Zealand Derby trifecta. We recommend taking a boxed percentage trifecta. Spend what you want, and the payouts can be massive.

• That’s Gold
• Road to Paris
• Tulsa King
• Autumn Glory
• Towering Vision

New Zealand Derby First-Four Tips

We have included six runners for our New Zealand Derby first-four. Boxing all six selections for a percentage can still result in a huge payout, and you spend what you want.

• That’s Gold
• Road to Paris
• Tulsa King
• Autumn Glory
• Towering Vision
• Halo’s Fire

New Zealand Derby Form Guide & Tips

(1) That’s Gold (Best Each Way – $6.00)

Settling on the speed is a good way to win at Ellerslie, and he kicked clear to beat many of his rivals in this race last start.

He is already a four-time winner, and we think he’s tougher than the current favourite. We’re backing him to win at each-way odds.

(2) Aksil ($10.00)

He looked like a Derby type early on, but we’re worried by his lack of acceleration. That was evident when running sixth in the main lead-up, so he could be a risky bet at $10.

(3) Road to Paris (Best Each Way – $6.00)

He was asked to do too much behind That’s Gold, but we love the way he picked up late and sprinted hard to the line.

He’s the runner with a turn-of-foot at his disposal, and if he’s close enough at the turn, he could breeze past them in one swoop.

(4) Towering Vision ($9.50)

He put in a shocker last start, finishing last behind That’s Gold. We’re not sure what went wrong, but Opie Bosson sticks with him.

That’s a good sign, so we’re including him in first four picks.

(5) Geneva ($23.00)

Liked his win two back, but he was only fair last time out. There are better bets in the New Zealand Derby.

(6) Yamato Satona ($15.00)

The colt is having a long campaign, and he might have come to the end of it. Running over 2400m won’t help, so the $15 odds are too short for our liking.

(7) Magic Carpet ($31.00)

His last few efforts have been poor, so the $31 odds should be double what bookmakers are offering.

(8) Tulsa King (Best Roughie – $23.00)

A win would make a good story for a small-time trainer. He looks like a nice stayer in the making, so we’re happy to include him in our NZ Derby picks.

There has been money for him at odds, which is a good sign.

(9) Genki ($23.00)

In good hands with Wexford Stud, but his form would need to improve a lot to have a chance of winning. Too short at $23.

(10) Sweet Ice ($23.00)

He’s having his 11th start, so he has miles under his belt. However, he looked better as a two-year-old. We can’t see him figuring in the finish.

(11) Halo’s Fire ($23.00)

Fifth at Ellerslie last start behind That’s Gold, and he could be a runner sneaking under the radar.

He’s bred to stay, being by Time Test, and the $23 is worth including in first four picks.

(12) Lunaman ($12.00)

Disappointing last time out, and the $12 odds are much shorter than where we priced him. Look for betting moves throughout the week as a guide.

(13) Wigmore ($61.00)

He isn’t running well enough to compete at the top level just yet.

(14) Taylor Square ($61.00)

13 starts for only one win and no placings. His record is unlikely to change much on Saturday.

(15) Autumn Glory ($4.20)

A big run for second in the Oaks behind Ohope Wins. Not an easy race for a filly to win, but she has been well-backed.

We’re not leaving her out of our picks, but the odds were too short to include her as our best bet or best each-way.

She will likely settle back and look to finish with a big late run.

(16) Ariadne ($16.00)

A nice enough filly coming off a fourth in the Oaks. She still needs to find a few lengths to beat the boys.