New Zealand Racing Tips for Saturday, May 2nd 2026

We have expert betting tips for racing in New Zealand on Saturday, which features racing from Riccarton and Te Rapa.

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

Riccarton Racing Tips

Race 1. (9:20) Janet Francis & Two Aussie Friends BM65 (2000m)

#3 – Oaksdeel @ $6.50

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Oaksdeel is struggling to put wins on the board this season, but we’re happy to give her another chance.

She is one of the better one-win mares going around, and with five placings at Riccarton, she is nearing a win here.

The odds make her a worthwhile inclusion in horse racing picks.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 2. (9:51) PGG Wrightson Seeds BM65 (1600m)

#12 – Don Pauly @ $8.00

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Punters get better odds than expected for Don Pauly, who is nearing a win after consecutive placings at Riccarton.

The six-year-old son of Satono Aladdin prefers racing with moisture in the surface, having posted two wins and seven placings in soft conditions.

1kg comes off his back, which should take him close.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 3. (10:21) Commodore Hotel Maiden (1200m)

#1 – Student of War @ $5.50

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Money has come for Student of War, who didn’t lose any admirers when running second at Riccarton last start.

The Pitman stable is confident of a good run on Saturday, which has seen his odds firm from an opening $6.50 price.

With four placings from 11 starts, he deserves a win, so include him in picks.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 4. (10:55) Bush Inn Sprint (1200m)

#1 – Insatiable @ $2.20

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Looking for back-to-back wins is Insatiable, who scored an upset win by two lengths last start.

The six-year-old son of All Too Hard owns three wins and four placings from 10 starts at the track, and he loves the sting out of the surface.

Having Opie Bosson in the saddle helps his chances.

Stake: 2 Units

Te Rapa Racing Tips

Race 1. (10:35) Champion Freight BM65 (2100m)

#3 – Cosmic Pursuit @ $2.70

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Money has come for Cosmic Pursuit, who is enjoying a successful first preparation with a win and five placings.

The four-year-old son of Zoustar broke maidens at Matamata three starts back before adding placings at Trentham and Ellerslie.

Getting 2kg off his back with an inside draw should take him close.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 2. (11:12) Direct Fats & Oils Maiden (1200m)

#10 – Topsy Turvy @ $3.40

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Topsy Turvy didn’t fire on debut at Ellerslie, but that came behind Well Written, so the form has been franked.

The three-year-old filly by Super Seth has been given a good break, and her recent trial placing at Ellerslie is a good sign.

Getting the inside draw is enough to take her close, and her odds could shorten.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 3. (11:50) Nutritech BM65 (1200m)

#1 – General Menari @ $4.50

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Punters get good odds for General Menari, who comes off another tidy performance for second at Otaki.

The three-year-old son of Menari owns a win and three placings from five starts, so he has been around the mark since his debut.

Barrier two with the in-form Masa Hashizume in the saddle helps.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 4. (12:24) Jones Trucking Handicap (1200m)

#8 – Tristar @ $3.50

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Tristar was a good thing beaten last time out at Te Rapa when getting too far back, but we loved the way she found the line for second.

She is nearing a win this preparation after posting four placings, and she is a four-time winner from 14 starts, so the form is on the board.

Getting in with 54kg makes her tough to hold out.

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.