New Zealand Racing Tips for Saturday, May 16th 2026

We have expert betting tips for racing in New Zealand on Saturday, which features racing from Ellerslie and Otaki.

Punters get good value odds for the two Kiwi meetings, and we have betting tips for the early races on the card.

Ellerslie Racing Tips

Race 1. (10:22) Myracehorse Maiden (1200m)

#2 – Pure Lotus @ $4.00

Pure Lotus resumed with a good second placing at Ellerslie and having that experience under his belt this preparation is ideal.

The three-year-old son of Lean Mean Machine owns three placings from five starts, and it doesn’t take runners from this stable long to break through.

Barrier one is ideal at Ellerslie, so include him in picks.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 2. (10:57) Golf Warehouse BM75 (2100m)

#2 – Boxmoss @ $7.50

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Forget Boxmoss went around at Te Rapa last start after getting no run in the straight when travelling into the race beautifully.

The five-year-old is a past winner at Ellerslie in November, and the Chris Wood stable is on fire this season. He also drops from open company to BM75, so he should be much shorter with betting markets.

We’re loving the odds, so include him in picks.

Stake: 2.5 Units

Race 3. (11:33) Cloudsoft Accounting Champagne Stakes (1600m)

#1 – Excite @ $1.70

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We’re not shocked by the short odds for Excite, who finally showed his true ability when scoring at Te Rapa by a length last time out.

The two-year-old colt by Wootton Bassett has stakes form on the board, and he faces a similar field on Saturday, hence the odds.

He’s worth including in horse racing multi bets.

Stake: 2.5 Units

Race 4. (12:10) Kingmakers Become a Principal Owner Handicap (1300m)

#2 – December @ $3.80

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Looking to cap off solid form with a win is December, who wasn’t far away in Group 3 company at Ellerslie last time out.

The five-year-old son of Shamexpress owns four wins and five placings from 16 starts, so his record is good enough to warrant favouritism.

Barrier three with George Rooke riding adds to his appeal.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Otaki Racing Tips

Race 1. (10:07) The Tele Otaki Maiden (1400m)

#3 – Brutiful Lass @ $3.20

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Money should come for Brutiful Lass, who wasn’t far away fresh up when scoring her seventh placing from eight starts.

The three-year-old filly by Brutal gets 1kg off her back for this run, and after going close on so many occasions, that weight difference will help.

We expect her odds to shorten on race day, so take the $3.20.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 2. (10:44) Harcourts Otaki BM65 (1100m)

#7 – Brigit @ $5.00

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Punters get each-way odds for Brigit, who showed good speed during her first preparation, including a win and four placings.

The five-year-old mare by Time Test appreciates the track conditions, and this race is there for the taking, so the $5 odds are generous.

After opening at $6.50, money has come, which could continue race day.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 3. (11:21) Cavallo Farm & Chris Rutten Bloodstock 3YO (1200m)

#4 – London @ $3.10

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London is a nice type in the making after scoring back-to-back wins at Wanganui and Hawera.

The three-year-old filly scored by a length last time out as a $6.60 chance, but she’s not over the odds this time around.

Barrier four is ideal, so she should go into picks.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 4. (12:03) Fastinternet BM75 (2200m)

#2 – Danjuro @ $5.50

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Looking to improve on a fresh up placing is Danjuro, who battled through the heavy conditions to finish third.

The five-year-old son of Saxon Warrior doesn’t win all that often, but he owns a win and a placing from three starts at Otaki.

It’s good form, and he should give punters a good sight.

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.