Manukau Race 7

DR JOAN HESSELL -20 YEARS SERVICE PBD

Prize Money: $4,273

OPAWA VANESSA (8) had been in great form but missed the frame latest when sixth (21.97) in a Class 3 at Cambridge Raceway. Normally safely away but always well back and facing a task ask from wide out last time. Solid record here at the distance winning five races. Has ability and looks hard to stop. PARADISE POINT (6) was unfavoured last start but gave a huge sight when led for much of the way to place (19.11) at this track in a Class 3 over 318m. Some good form is emerging from her last run. Can feature again. PAPA KIWI (4) has shown good improvement at his last two starts, hitting the frame latest when 3rd at this track over 527m. The form from his last run is stacking up nicely. Will give a great sight again. NORDIC DELIGHT (7) placed here at this trip last start - cannot be ignored.

Distance: 318m
Class: C3
Track: Good
Weather: -
Surface: All Weather

Epic In Trouble (2) 35373
Trainer: P M Heterick (Clevedon)
Prize Money: $24,591
Win / Place: 15% / 45%

3 yo Black B

Sire: Bewildering

Dam: Riccobono

Rating

Stats

Career

57: 9-6-11

Track

53: 9-6-11

Trk/Dst

53: 9-6-11

Distance

52: 9-6-11

Season

35: 4-5-6

Country

56: 9-6-11

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-0-1

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
9	0	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6
STARTS	4	33	13	5	1	1
1st	0	5	3	1	0	0
2nd	0	5	1	0	0	0
3rd	0	5	3	3	0	0

Comments

Finished third at big odds last time (19.01) over 318m at this track. Has a low draw. Has ability and can run well.

Expected Early Speed:Front Runner

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 7	5/7/26	Manukau	318m	2	0:19.01	60.2 km/h	4.60L	$11	0:18.69	18.49	C2/3	$3,850	$577	7	1. Foxtrot Mila 2. Nordic Delight 3. Epic In Trouble
7th of 7	28/6/26	Manukau	318m	2	0:19.32	59.3 km/h	3.80L	$6.50	0:19.05	18.43	C3	$3,920	$273	7	1. Apricot Slice 2. Portland Avatar 3. Paradise Point
3rd of 5	21/6/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:19.05	60.1 km/h	2.30L	$4.60	0:18.89	18.48	C3	$3,920	$587	7	1. Baby Sass 2. Waiterimu Gem 3. Epic In Trouble
5th of 7	14/6/26	Manukau	318m	3	0:19.24	59.5 km/h	3.20L	$9.00	0:19.02	18.45	C3/4	$4,170	$273	7	1. Fritillary 2. Madam Phaedra 3. Waiterimu Gem
3rd of 7	7/6/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:19.22	59.6 km/h	5.40L	$10	0:18.84	18.37	C3	$5,580	$837	7	1. Evening Out 2. Madam Phaedra 3. Epic In Trouble
2nd of 5	31/5/26	Manukau	318m	2	0:18.98	60.3 km/h	4.00L	$8.00	0:18.70	18.4	C3	$3,850	$963	21	1. Portland Abigail 2. Epic In Trouble 3. Fritillary

Neo (3) 17152
Trainer: Tracey & Lisa Craik (Drury)
Prize Money: $12,282
Win / Place: 35% / 85%

Track Specialist

Track / Distance Specialist

2 yo Blue Brindle D

Sire: Fernando Bale

Dam: Georgia's Girl

Rating

Stats

Career

14: 5-7-0

Track

8: 4-3-0

Trk/Dst

8: 4-3-0

Distance

8: 4-3-0

Season

13: 5-6-0

Country

13: 5-6-0

1st Up

2: 0-2-0

2nd Up

2: 1-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
5	0	0	0	0

Box History	2	3	4
STARTS	4	8	2
1st	3	2	0
2nd	1	4	2
3rd	0	0	0

Comments

In the money last time at Cambridge Raceway (21.71) in a Class 3, finishing a 0.8 lengths second. Has two successes and four minors from eight starts from box 3. Might find this too tough.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
2nd of 7	9/7/26	Cambridge	375m	3	0:21.71	62.2 km/h	0.80L	$5.00	0:21.65	21.34	C3	$3,850	$963	4	1. Portland Kruger 2. Neo 3. Undone
5th of 7	5/7/26	Manukau	318m	3	0:19.12	59.9 km/h	6.20L	$2.60	0:18.69	18.49	C2/3	$3,850	$273	7	1. Foxtrot Mila 2. Nordic Delight 3. Epic In Trouble
1st of 7	28/6/26	Manukau	318m	3	0:18.99	60.3 km/h	1.20L	$1.60	0:18.99	18.43	C2	$3,750	$2,250	24	1. Neo 2. Tiny Teeny 3. Wondering Why
7th of 8	4/6/26	Cambridge	375m	3	0:22.35	60.4 km/h	6.60L	$1.30	0:21.89	20.97	C1f	$3,750	$273	7	1. Au Fait 2. Scotch 3. Kookaburra Bob
1st of 6	28/5/26	Cambridge	375m	3	0:21.70	62.2 km/h	2.70L	$1.20	0:21.70	21.09	C1q	$3,610	$2,163	4	1. Neo 2. Kind Of Magic 3. Kookaburra Bob
1st of 7	24/5/26	Manukau	318m	2	0:18.92	60.5 km/h	1.00L	$1.20	0:18.92	18.47	C1	$3,610	$2,163	7	1. Neo 2. Tiny Kiwi 3. Stop Working

Papa Kiwi (4) 25643
Trainer: J Udy & D Cottam (Te Kauwhata)
Prize Money: $73,568
Win / Place: 15% / 50%

4 yo Black D

Sire: Thrilling Boris

Dam: Kiwi Gal

Rating

Stats

Career

116: 18-19-21

Track

56: 11-7-13

Trk/Dst

26: 4-2-8

Distance

26: 4-2-8

Season

53: 7-8-10

Country

116: 18-19-21

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-1

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
8	3	7	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	14	29	31	20	13	3	3	3
1st	1	8	2	3	3	1	0	0
2nd	2	5	8	3	1	0	0	0
3rd	3	5	6	6	0	0	1	0

Comments

In the money last time at this track (31.62) in a Class 2/3, finishing a 3 length third. Has three successes and nine minors from 20 starts from box 4. Looks well placed and should feature.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 5	5/7/26	Manukau	527m	4	0:31.62	60.0 km/h	3.20L	$2.50	0:31.40	30.79	C2/3	$5,250	$786	7	1. Alpine Jewel 2. Opawa Raisin 3. Papa Kiwi
4th of 6	28/6/26	Manukau	318m	2	0:18.87	60.7 km/h	5.10L	$7.50	0:18.51	18.43	C4	$4,170	$364	3	1. Big Time Lena 2. Baby Sass 3. Evening Out
6th of 7	25/6/26	Cambridge	375m	7	0:21.77	62.0 km/h	5.70L	$26	0:21.37	21.08	C4	$4,170	$273	4	1. Big Time Tractor 2. Opawa Taz 3. Portland Fleet
5th of 6	21/6/26	Manukau	318m	3	0:19.15	59.8 km/h	7.00L	$3.80	0:18.66	18.48	C4	$4,170	$273	7	1. Sunrise Michelle 2. Wide Boy 3. Portland Fleet
2nd of 7	14/6/26	Manukau	318m	3	0:18.84	60.8 km/h	1.70L	$8.00	0:18.72	18.45	C4	$4,170	$1,041	7	1. Epic Wildman 2. Papa Kiwi 3. Perez Jewel
3rd of 7	7/6/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:18.97	60.3 km/h	3.80L	$5.50	0:18.70	18.37	C4	$5,830	$875	7	1. Hunter Lou 2. Perez Jewel 3. Papa Kiwi

Wondering Why (5) 22331
Trainer: R & L Udy (Te Kauwhata)
Prize Money: $57,282
Win / Place: 9.15% / 40%

4 yo Black B

Sire: Fernando Bale

Dam: Gem

100

Rating

Stats

Career

142: 13-22-23

Track

88: 7-17-15

Trk/Dst

31: 4-6-8

Distance

31: 4-6-8

Season

49: 7-6-11

Country

141: 13-22-23

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
7	1	5	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	5	15	24	28	18	27	18	7
1st	2	0	2	4	2	0	2	1
2nd	0	2	5	6	2	4	3	0
3rd	1	5	5	5	2	3	1	1

Comments

Strong performance after tracking the speed to win by a long neck at this track over 318m (19.06) beating Running On Empty in Class 2 on July 5. Sure to be about the mark.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
1st of 7	5/7/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:19.06	60.1 km/h	0.40L	$6.00	0:19.06	18.49	C2	$3,690	$2,213	7	1. Wondering Why 2. Running On Empty 3. Tiny Teeny
3rd of 7	28/6/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:19.14	59.8 km/h	2.10L	$10	0:18.99	18.43	C2	$3,750	$562	3	1. Neo 2. Tiny Teeny 3. Wondering Why
3rd of 6	25/6/26	Cambridge	375m	4	0:21.88	61.7 km/h	5.00L	$5.00	0:21.53	21.08	SPECA	$3,670	$550	4	1. Opawa Vanessa 2. Sweet 3. Wondering Why
2nd of 6	21/6/26	Manukau	318m	3	0:19.22	59.6 km/h	1.60L	$3.10	0:19.11	18.48	C2	$3,750	$937	7	1. Paradise Point 2. Wondering Why 3. Miss Fergus
2nd of 7	14/6/26	Manukau	318m	3	0:19.07	60.0 km/h	0.70L	$9.00	0:19.02	18.45	C2	$3,750	$937	7	1. Baby Sass 2. Wondering Why 3. Sober Driver
4th of 6	7/6/26	Manukau	527m	2	0:31.61	60.0 km/h	6.10L	$4.50	0:31.18	30.39	C2	$6,670	$364	3	1. Altruism 2. Alpine Jewel 3. Go Concord

Paradise Point (6) 75713
Trainer: R K Roper (Auckland)
Prize Money: $18,909
Win / Place: 16% / 51%

3 yo Fawn B

Sire: Fernando Bale

Dam: Jelly Fish

Rating

Stats

Career

43: 7-6-9

Track

30: 6-5-6

Trk/Dst

30: 6-5-6

Distance

30: 6-5-6

Season

37: 6-4-7

Country

43: 7-6-9

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-1

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
7	0	0	0	0

Box History	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	1	3	6	9	24
1st	1	0	1	1	4
2nd	0	0	1	2	3
3rd	0	1	1	1	6

Comments

Jumped well at this track two runs back then again settled forward and finished third at this track last start over 318m. The form from last run stacks up well. Looks hard to beat here.

Expected Early Speed:Front Runner

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
3rd of 7	28/6/26	Manukau	318m	6	0:19.11	59.9 km/h	0.80L	$21	0:19.05	18.43	C3	$3,920	$587	7	1. Apricot Slice 2. Portland Avatar 3. Paradise Point
1st of 6	21/6/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:19.11	59.9 km/h	1.60L	$7.00	0:19.11	18.48	C2	$3,750	$2,250	35	1. Paradise Point 2. Wondering Why 3. Miss Fergus
35 Day Freshen-Up
7th of 7	17/5/26	Manukau	318m	6	0:19.38	59.1 km/h	9.30L	$12	0:18.73	18.48	C2	$3,690	$273	7	1. Indigo Shade 2. Waiterimu Gem 3. Miami Tan
5th of 6	10/5/26	Manukau	318m	7	0:19.63	58.3 km/h	9.70L	$10	0:18.95	18.47	C2/3	$3,850	$273	7	1. Epic Wildman 2. Fritillary 3. Epic In Trouble
7th of 7	3/5/26	Manukau	318m	5	0:20.43	56.0 km/h	21.10L	$18	0:18.95	18.43	C3	$3,110	$136	7	1. Portland Avatar 2. Opawa Vanessa 3. Apricot Slice
6th of 7	26/4/26	Manukau	318m	5	0:19.31	59.3 km/h	6.80L	$7.50	0:18.83	18.67	C3	$2,920	$136	7	1. Nordic Delight 2. Wide Boy 3. Fritillary

Nordic Delight (7) 34652
Trainer: Tracey & Lisa Craik (Drury)
Prize Money: $18,245
Win / Place: 16% / 58%

2 yo Black B

Sire: Good Odds Harada

Dam: Danish Delight

Rating

Stats

Career

36: 6-6-9

Track

23: 5-3-8

Trk/Dst

23: 5-3-8

Distance

23: 5-3-8

Season

36: 6-6-9

Country

36: 6-6-9

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
6	0	0	0	0

Box History	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	3	8	10	8	6	1
1st	0	2	3	0	1	0
2nd	0	2	3	1	0	0
3rd	2	3	2	2	0	0

Comments

Finished second last start (18.77) over 318m at this track. Jumps from a wide draw. Has claims if at her best.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
2nd of 7	5/7/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:18.77	61.0 km/h	1.10L	$5.50	0:18.69	18.49	C2/3	$3,850	$963	49	1. Foxtrot Mila 2. Nordic Delight 3. Epic In Trouble
49 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 5	17/5/26	Manukau	318m	6	0:19.29	59.3 km/h	10.50L	$34	0:18.55	18.48	C5	$4,840	$273	3	1. Portland Chica 2. Portland Nicky 3. Cocoon The Food
6th of 7	14/5/26	Cambridge	375m	7	0:21.79	62.0 km/h	9.25L	$23	0:21.14	20.94	C4	$4,100	$273	11	1. Portland Nicky 2. Go Cooper 3. Nineteen Red
4th of 7	3/5/26	Manukau	318m	5	0:19.00	60.3 km/h	8.20L	$31	0:18.43	18.43	C3/4	$3,110	$227	3	1. Honcho 2. Portland Chica 3. Midnight Rex
3rd of 7	30/4/26	Cambridge	375m	4	0:21.88	61.7 km/h	2.50L	$5.50	0:21.70	21.08	C3	$2,920	$437	4	1. Opawa Vanessa 2. Love It 3. Nordic Delight
1st of 7	26/4/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:18.83	60.8 km/h	1.40L	$5.50	0:18.83	18.67	C3	$2,920	$1,750	3	1. Nordic Delight 2. Wide Boy 3. Fritillary

Opawa Vanessa (8) 41116
Trainer: Sean Codlin (Te Kauwhata)
Prize Money: $40,809
Win / Place: 20% / 51%

4 yo White and Fawn B

Sire: Fernando Bale

Dam: Opawa Shackley

Rating

Stats

Career

74: 15-15-8

Track

37: 5-6-5

Trk/Dst

37: 5-6-5

Distance

37: 5-6-4

Season

48: 8-8-5

Country

73: 15-15-7

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
15	0	0	0	0

Box History	1	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	1	4	8	10	19	18	14
1st	1	1	2	3	4	3	1
2nd	0	1	2	1	4	5	2
3rd	0	1	0	1	3	3	0

Comments

Won two starts back when well in the market at Cambridge Raceway over 375m. Last start finished 6th over 375m at Cambridge Raceway beaten 4.5 lengths (21.97) behind Portland Kruger in a Class 3 on July 9. Below best last time but looks well placed here. Pay to follow up.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
6th of 7	9/7/26	Cambridge	375m	8	0:21.97	61.4 km/h	4.60L	$8.50	0:21.65	21.34	C3	$3,850	$273	7	1. Portland Kruger 2. Neo 3. Undone
1st of 6	2/7/26	Cambridge	375m	5	0:21.74	62.1 km/h	5.40L	$1.70	0:21.74	21.19	C2/3	$3,850	$2,311	4	1. Opawa Vanessa 2. Opawa Selena 3. Wow She's Slow
1st of 7	28/6/26	Manukau	318m	5	0:18.82	60.8 km/h	4.10L	$1.60	0:18.82	18.43	C1/2	$3,750	$2,250	3	1. Opawa Vanessa 2. Running On Empty 3. Opawa Selena
1st of 6	25/6/26	Cambridge	375m	6	0:21.53	62.7 km/h	4.90L	$1.40	0:21.53	21.08	SPECA	$3,670	$2,200	14	1. Opawa Vanessa 2. Sweet 3. Wondering Why
4th of 6	11/6/26	Cambridge	375m	7	0:21.58	62.6 km/h	2.30L	$12	0:21.42	21.09	C3	$3,920	$364	4	1. Portland Fleet 2. Love It 3. Chai Not Chi
4th of 7	7/6/26	Manukau	318m	7	0:19.30	59.3 km/h	6.50L	$6.00	0:18.84	18.37	C3	$5,580	$364	10	1. Evening Out 2. Madam Phaedra 3. Epic In Trouble

Waiterimu Gem (9) 33254
Trainer: R & L Udy (Te Kauwhata)
Prize Money: $63,855
Win / Place: 17% / 53%

5 yo Black B

Sire: Pinny Mack

Dam: Britney Star

Rating

Stats

Career

145: 26-31-20

Track

144: 26-31-20

Trk/Dst

144: 26-31-20

Distance

143: 26-31-20

Season

40: 13-13-5

Country

144: 26-31-20

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
26	0	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	1	1	4	10	13	34	45	37
1st	0	0	0	1	3	4	7	11
2nd	1	0	0	1	0	8	15	6
3rd	0	0	2	2	2	3	6	5

Comments

Modest effort last time out when fourth over 318m at this track. Not keen.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
4th of 7	5/7/26	Manukau	318m	8	0:19.08	60.0 km/h	5.60L	$10	0:18.69	18.49	C2/3	$3,850	$364	7	1. Foxtrot Mila 2. Nordic Delight 3. Epic In Trouble
5th of 7	28/6/26	Manukau	318m	8	0:19.16	59.7 km/h	1.50L	$8.00	0:19.05	18.43	C3	$3,920	$273	7	1. Apricot Slice 2. Portland Avatar 3. Paradise Point
2nd of 5	21/6/26	Manukau	318m	7	0:18.93	60.5 km/h	0.60L	$5.00	0:18.89	18.48	C3	$3,920	$979	7	1. Baby Sass 2. Waiterimu Gem 3. Epic In Trouble
3rd of 7	14/6/26	Manukau	318m	8	0:19.08	60.0 km/h	0.80L	$8.50	0:19.02	18.45	C3/4	$4,170	$625	7	1. Fritillary 2. Madam Phaedra 3. Waiterimu Gem
3rd of 7	7/6/26	Manukau	318m	8	0:18.94	60.4 km/h	1.50L	$9.50	0:18.83	18.37	C3	$5,580	$837	7	1. Sunrise Michelle 2. Has Potential 3. Waiterimu Gem
1st of 7	31/5/26	Manukau	318m	8	0:18.83	60.8 km/h	2.20L	$5.50	0:18.83	18.4	C2	$3,690	$2,213	7	1. Waiterimu Gem 2. Sober Driver 3. Wow She's Slow