Addington Race 8 - GOLD BAND TAXIS HCP TROT
THE ROYAL GAMBLE (2) could only manage to finish fifth at his latest appearance over 2000m at this track, failing to live up to market expectations. Meets a comparable field and he is capable of a much better performance. HELLOVEAMOMENT (6) made a nice return at his latest appearance two weeks ago, finishing 3.5 metres away in second over 2000m at this track. Tackles a similar assignment and he can go right on with the job. PARIS PRINCE (4) is in the mix following a fourth at his most recent appearance over 2600m at this track. MOSES (7) could only manage eighth when resuming over 2600m at this track last start. Racing fitter can do better.

Driver: Gavin Smith
Stats
Comments
Tidy 3rd in sole trial since early 2026 campaign. Goes well fresh. Combos.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4 | 29/07/2026 | - | R47 to R71 TROT | $0.00 | N Cnty TOA | 2600m | Good | Gavin Smith | 0 |
| 3.5L | $0.00 | |
| 8/9 | 20/03/2026 | 35 | R51 to R120 SpecHcp TROT | $28,425.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Gavin Smith | 2:02.7 | 1 |
| 102.2L | $43.40 |
| 15/15 | 13/02/2026 | 12 | 3YO+ R46 to R60 SpecHcp TROT | $19,471.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Gavin Smith | 2:04.3 | 3 |
| 91.5L | $53.30 |
| 3/6 | 01/02/2026 | 9 | R50 to R75 SpecHcp TROT | $17,900.00 | Waikouaiti | 3000m | Good | Gavin Smith | 2:15.0 | 2 |
| 7.8L | $25.90 |
| 8/9 | 23/01/2026 | 5 | 3YO+ R51 to R70 SpecHcp TROT | $16,581.00 | NZ Metro | 2000m | Good | Gavin Smith | 2:02.6 | 7 |
| 137.2L | $23.70 |
| 6/10 | 18/01/2026 | 2 | R46 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $19,300.00 | Marlb HRC | 2850m | Slow | Gavin Smith | 2:14.1 | 1 |
| 75.3L | $23.70 |
| 3/11 | 16/01/2026 | 5 | R46 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $14,738.00 | Marlb HRC | 2400m | Dead | Gavin Smith | 2:14.5 | 2 |
| 11.8L | $35.60 |
| 8/9 | 11/01/2026 | 2 | R47 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $18,950.00 | Nelson HRC | 2400m | Fast | Gavin Smith | 2 |
| 209.8L | $52.20 | |
| 8/9 | 09/01/2026 | 8 | R47 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $14,213.00 | Nelson HRC | 2400m | Fast | Gavin Smith | 1 |
| 45.7L | $27.50 | |
| 10/14 | 01/01/2026 | 202 | R35 to R59 SpecHcp TROT | $11,903.00 | Rangiora | 2600m | Slushy | Gavin Smith | 1 |
| 104.9L | $16.60 | |
| 1/15 | 13/06/2025 | 14 | 3YO+ R40 to R50 TROT | $16,840.00 | NZ Metro | 2000m | Good | Gavin Smith | 6 |
| 2.7L | $9.00 |

Driver: Blair Orange
Stats
Comments
Hauled in after leading 24 Jul. Doing a good job during winter. Worth a look.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 24/07/2026 | 14 | 3YO+ R46 to R60 SpecHcp TROT | $16,108.00 | NZ Metro | 2000m | Easy | Blair Orange | 2:03.00 | 4 |
| 12.4L | $3.20 |
| 1/8 | 10/07/2026 | 7 | 3YO+ R46 to R61 DiscrHcp TROT | $17,670.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Easy | Sam Thornley | 2:04.40 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $3.30 |
| 1/8 | 03/07/2026 | 7 | R41 to R60 C,G&E SpecHcp TROT | $16,740.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 2:05.00 | 1 |
| 3.2L | $4.00 |
| 2/13 | 26/06/2026 | 7 | Up to R45 with cond. TROT | $16,280.00 | NZ Metro | 2000m | Easy | Sam Thornley | 2:03.40 | 8 |
| 1.3L | $8.80 |
| 7/10 | 19/06/2026 | 21 | Up to R45 with cond. SpecHcp TROT | $15,440.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 2:03.80 | 1 |
| 22.9L | $8.90 |
| 2/14 | 29/05/2026 | 7 | 3YO+ R35 to R45 SpecHcp TROT | $18,630.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Blair Orange | 2:04.00 | 7 |
| 2.2L | $5.80 |
| 2/11 | 22/05/2026 | 5 | 3YO+ R41 to R50 TROT | $24,563.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 9 |
| 12.6L | $43.10 | |
| 2/10 | 17/05/2026 | 11 | 3YO+ R41 to R50 TROT | $10,615.00 | Rangiora | 2000m | Good | Sam Thornley | 4 |
| 2.2L | $11.80 | |
| 1/6 | 06/05/2026 | 3 | R36 to R40 with cond. TROT | $7,160.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sam Thornley | 5 |
| 4.3L | $2.20 | |
| 6/11 | 03/05/2026 | 14 | 3YO+ R35 to R39 TROT | $10,808.00 | Rangiora | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 7 |
| 8.9L | $18.20 |

Driver: Kerryn Tomlinson
Stats
Comments
Three trials to tighten for this. 20m not ideal for first run back. Top 3/4.
Last Starts 16 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 21/07/2026 | - | R35 & faster TROT | $0.00 | M Cant TOA | 2400m | Good | Brad Williamson | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | |
| 1/4 | 15/07/2026 | - | R35 & faster TROT | $0.00 | N Otago HR | 2600m | Good | Brad Williamson | 0 |
| 0.0L | $0.00 | |
| 4/4 | 17/06/2026 | - | TROT | $0.00 | N Otago HR | 2600m | Good | Matthew Williamson | 0 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 4/6 | 01/03/2026 | 7 | R51 to R75 MOB. TROT | $17,900.00 | Nth Sthlnd | 2200m | Good | Brad Williamson | 2:01.4 | 3 |
| 15.3L | $25.90 |
| 5/6 | 22/02/2026 | 2 | R46 to R70 SpecHcp TROT | $11,635.00 | Wyndham | 2600m | Good | Brad Williamson | 2:08.8 | 2 |
| 48.4L | $7.80 |
| 3/10 | 20/02/2026 | 5 | R46 to R70 SpecHcp TROT | $12,545.00 | Wyndham | 2600m | Good | Brad Williamson | 2:10.3 | 1 |
| 3.2L | $10.80 |
| 7/8 | 15/02/2026 | 14 | R51 to R75 SpecHcp TROT | $18,600.00 | Gore | 2750m | Good | Brad Williamson | 2:13.6 | 1 |
| 18.6L | $4.20 |
| 2/6 | 01/02/2026 | 7 | R50 to R75 SpecHcp TROT | $17,900.00 | Waikouaiti | 3000m | Good | Brad Williamson | 2:15.0 | 2 |
| 2.2L | $3.00 |
| 2/4 | 25/01/2026 | 10 | R50 to R85 SpecHcp TROT | $17,200.00 | Rivertn TC | 2800m | Dead | Brad Williamson | 2:13.4 | 1 |
| 3.5L | $3.90 |
| 4/6 | 15/01/2026 | 9 | R60 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $35,800.00 | Nth Sthlnd | 2700m | Good | Brad Williamson | 2 |
| 6.2L | $20.60 | |
| 1/14 | 06/01/2026 | 4 | R50 to R100 SpecHcp TROT | $20,700.00 | Wyndham | 2600m | Good | Brad Williamson | 3 |
| 15.6L | $11.50 | |
| 6/9 | 02/01/2026 | 6 | R46 to R65 SpecHcp TROT | $14,213.00 | Cent Otago | 2600m | Easy | Max Hill | 4 |
| 16.9L | $37.70 | |
| 9/9 | 27/12/2025 | 8 | R50 to R90 SpecHcp TROT | $23,688.00 | Gore | 2700m | Good | Brad Williamson | 3 |
| 104.9L | $26.50 |

Driver: Sam Thornley
Stats
Comments
Gave a sight last Friday after doing work. May need to produce similar. Place.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/10 | 31/07/2026 | 7 | R46 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $17,370.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Easy | Sam Thornley | 2:03.70 | 2 |
| 4.6L | $41.40 |
| 6/9 | 24/07/2026 | 35 | 3YO+ R46 to R60 SpecHcp TROT | $16,108.00 | NZ Metro | 2000m | Easy | Sam Thornley | 2:03.00 | 1 |
| 23.7L | $17.70 |
| 7/9 | 19/06/2026 | 28 | R46 to R70 C,G&E DiscrHcp TROT | $17,055.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 2:04.20 | 1 |
| 8.1L | $22.90 |
| 7/7 | 22/05/2026 | 7 | 3YO+ C,G&E R51 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $22,813.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 2:02.90 | 1 |
| 113.0L | $45.60 |
| 10/12 | 15/05/2026 | 21 | 3YO+ R40 to R60 SpecHcp TROT | $18,500.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 2:03.20 | 1 |
| 43.0L | $117.00 |
| 8/8 | 24/04/2026 | 14 | 3YO+ R51 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $17,670.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sam Thornley | 2:06.8 | 3 |
| 172.2L | $42.00 |
| 5/7 | 10/04/2026 | 6 | 3YO+ R55 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $18,250.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sam Thornley | 2 |
| 19.4L | $28.50 | |
| 8/10 | 04/04/2026 | 15 | 3YO+ R51 to R80 SpecHcp TROT | $24,125.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 2 |
| 25.8L | $42.60 | |
| 8/9 | 20/03/2026 | 7 | 3YO+ R49 to R70 DiscrHcp TROT | $18,003.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sam Thornley | 1 |
| 21.0L | $30.10 | |
| 7/13 | 13/03/2026 | 14 | 3YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $20,350.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sam Thornley | 3 |
| 25.6L | $29.50 |

Driver: John Dunn
Stats
Comments
Returned in fine fettle with 24 Jul 2nd. All eyes on him at the start. Each way.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 24/07/2026 | 111 | 3YO+ R46 to R60 SpecHcp TROT | $16,108.00 | NZ Metro | 2000m | Easy | John Dunn | 2:03.00 | 1 |
| 3.5L | $22.50 |
| 9/10 | 04/04/2026 | 8 | 3YO+ R51 to R80 SpecHcp TROT | $24,125.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Robbie Close | 2:02.60 | 1 |
| 51.1L | $21.10 |
| 5/5 | 27/03/2026 | 14 | 3YO+ R60 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $17,550.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Good | Sam Thornley | 2:01.8 | 1 |
| 23.4L | $17.80 |
| 13/13 | 13/03/2026 | 14 | 3YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $20,350.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Kimberly Butt | 2:03.8 | 2 |
| 513.8L | $22.30 |
| 9/10 | 27/02/2026 | 14 | 3YO+ R51 to R70 SpecHcp TROT | $17,853.00 | NZ Metro | 2000m | Fast | Samantha Ottley | 2:02.2 | 2 |
| 10.5L | $5.40 |
| 1/15 | 13/02/2026 | 8 | 3YO+ R46 to R60 SpecHcp TROT | $19,471.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sam Thornley | 2:04.3 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $30.20 |
| 3/7 | 05/02/2026 | 6 | 3YO+ R55 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $18,250.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Robbie Close | 1 |
| 5.6L | $18.50 | |
| 3/9 | 30/01/2026 | 31 | 3YO+ R46 to R65 SpecHcp TROT | $17,529.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Robbie Close | 2 |
| 0.8L | $51.20 | |
| 2/9 | 30/12/2025 | 2 | R46 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $18,950.00 | Reefton | 2500m | Dead | Sam Thornley | 1 |
| 0.8L | $31.50 | |
| 7/8 | 28/12/2025 | 2 | R46 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $18,600.00 | Westport | 3200m | Dead | Sam Thornley | 1 |
| 35.0L | $49.80 |

Driver: Sarah O'Reilly
Stats
Comments
Fair 8th last week when resuming. Smaller field will help. Stick with him.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/10 | 31/07/2026 | 133 | R46 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $17,370.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Easy | Leo O'Reilly | 2:03.70 | 1 |
| 26.1L | $25.40 |
| 6/9 | 21/07/2026 | - | R35 & faster TROT | $0.00 | M Cant TOA | 2400m | Good | Leo O'Reilly | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | |
| 3/9 | 20/03/2026 | 7 | R51 to R120 SpecHcp TROT | $28,425.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sarah O'Reilly | 2:02.7 | 1 |
| 4.0L | $8.10 |
| 11/13 | 13/03/2026 | 14 | 3YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $20,350.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sarah O'Reilly | 2:03.8 | 1 |
| 37.7L | $9.50 |
| 8/10 | 27/02/2026 | 12 | FFA MOB. TROT | $96,500.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sarah O'Reilly | 1:59.4 | 10 |
| 56.5L | $54.50 |
| 1/8 | 15/02/2026 | 10 | R51 to R75 SpecHcp TROT | $18,600.00 | Gore | 2750m | Good | Sarah O'Reilly | 2:13.6 | 3 |
| 2.7L | $3.80 |
| 4/7 | 05/02/2026 | 4 | 3YO+ R55 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $18,250.00 | NZ Metro | 2600m | Fast | Sarah O'Reilly | 2:03.8 | 2 |
| 6.7L | $6.50 |
| 4/6 | 01/02/2026 | 14 | R50 to R75 SpecHcp TROT | $17,900.00 | Waikouaiti | 3000m | Good | Sarah O'Reilly | 1 |
| 12.4L | $4.30 | |
| 2/10 | 18/01/2026 | 2 | R46 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $19,300.00 | Marlb HRC | 2850m | Slow | Sarah O'Reilly | 1 |
| 0.3L | $2.70 | |
| 1/11 | 16/01/2026 | 5 | R46 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $14,738.00 | Marlb HRC | 2400m | Dead | Sarah O'Reilly | 1 |
| 5.9L | $7.20 | |
| 1/9 | 11/01/2026 | 2 | R47 & faster DiscrHcp TROT | $18,950.00 | Nelson HRC | 2400m | Fast | Sarah O'Reilly | 1 |
| 1.3L | $23.10 |