Pukekohe Race 2 - NIKAU CONTRACTORS 1600
NAVY ENSIGN (7) has been racing so consistently this season, and will be trying 1600m for the first time after being given no chance at Ellerslie over 1500m nearly 2 weeks ago. He found the line nicely that day, and with an ounce of luck, he can take this out. VICTOR TANGO (3) followed up his narrow Ruakaka defeat on debut with a comfortable win at Matamata nearly 3 weeks ago. He can secure a run that suits him from the pole position, and he should figure in the finish again. AUTUMN QUEEN (4) resumed with a tough head win at Tauherenikau over 1400m, and the extra 200m will only be further in her favour. She is bred to relish 1600m, and her next win won't be far away. LA DIEM (5) is another deserving last start winner, who scored easily from near last on the corner at Pukekohe 23 days ago. Look for her late again. Each way value. SHOEBILL (6) built her form strongly to score by half a length at Tauherenikau 15 days ago. Stick with her for all top 4 combos.

Jockey: Jack Taplin
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
Improved sharply last time to break through for a maiden win over 1400m at Hawera. Solid top-three chance.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 27/02/2026 | 56 | MDN 3YO | $21,552.00 | HAWE | 1400m | Good 4 | Jonathan Riddell | 57.5kg | 1:24.95 | - | 5 |
| 0.01L | $18.00 |
| 7/10 | 02/01/2026 | 28 | MDN | $15,948.00 | TAUR | 1400m | Soft 6 | Jack Taplin | 54kg | 1:25.67 | - | 3 |
| 3.99L | $22.80 |
| 9/10 | 05/12/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $21,930.00 | ROTO | 1230m | Soft 6 | Erin Leighton | 57.5kg | 1:13.28 | - | 6 |
| 6.10L | $13.00 |
| 6/7 | 18/11/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | TEAW | 850m | Good 3 | Kozzi Asano | 0:52.48 | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 1/5 | 24/06/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | AVON | 1000m | Heavy 9 | Jack Taplin | 01:05.11 | - | 5 |
| 1L | $0.00 | |
| 4/5 | 09/06/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | ELLS | 800m | Soft 6 | Jack Taplin | 00:47.48 | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/7 | 25/02/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | WPKU | 850m | Soft 5 | Jonathan Riddell | 0:51.50 | - | 5 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Masa Hashizume
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
Won on debut two back at Te Aroha then could only manage seventh last start over 1500m at Ellerslie. Better than the last run suggests and can do better.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/11 | 07/03/2026 | 24 | 3YO SW+P | $84,034.00 | ELLS | 1500m | Soft 5 | Masa Hashizume | 57kg | 1:31.60 | - | 12 |
| 2.61L | $29.60 |
| 1/12 | 11/02/2026 | - | MDN | $21,552.00 | TE A | 1400m | Soft 5 | Masa Hashizume | 58kg | 1:22.99 | - | 10 |
| 0.01L | $27.20 |
| 3/6 | 20/01/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | PUKE | 1100m | Heavy 10 | Jasmine Fawcett | 1:07.81 | - | 4 |
| 7.25L | $0.00 | |
| 7/7 | 16/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | AVON | 800m | Good 4 | Jasmine Fawcett | 00:45.75 | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Warren Kennedy
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
Has looked good in his two career starts, most recently scoring by 1.4 lengths over 1400m at Matamata. One of the major players.
Last Starts 19 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/13 | 28/02/2026 | 53 | MDN | $0.00 | MATA | 1400m | Soft 6 | Warren Kennedy | 58kg | 1:24.54 | - | 5 |
| 1.43L | $3.50 |
| 2/12 | 06/01/2026 | - | MDN | $15,948.00 | RUAK | 1400m | Soft 5 | Lynsey Satherley | 57kg | 1:25.17 | - | 10 |
| 0.12L | $5.30 |
| 1/9 | 09/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | PUKE | 1100m | Good 4 | Lynsey Satherley | 1:05.50 | - | 4 |
| 2L | $0.00 | |
| 4/8 | 18/11/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | TEAW | 850m | Good 3 | Lynsey Satherley | 0:52.25 | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Joe Doyle
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Was a first-up winner last start at Tauherenikau, scoring by 0.3 lengths over 1400m. Back in great shape and is sure to prove hard to beat.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 05/03/2026 | 116 | MDN | $15,546.00 | TAUH | 1400m | Soft 6 | Craig Grylls | 56kg | 1:26.49 | - | 9 |
| 0.28L | $2.20 |
| 4/7 | 10/02/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | ELLS | 800m | Soft 5 | Craig Grylls | 0:46.96 | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/9 | 09/11/2025 | - | MDN | $16,228.00 | TAUH | 1400m | Good 4 | Craig Grylls | 55kg | 1:23.72 | - | 9 |
| 1.40L | $3.90 |
| 4/6 | 30/10/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | TAUP | 1100m | Soft 6 | Elen Nicholas | 1:09.30 | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/6 | 16/10/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | CSYN | 950m | Synthetic | Matt Cartwright | 0:56.46 | - | 5 |
| 1.55L | $0.00 | |
| 5/5 | 19/09/2024 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | ROTO | 800m | Heavy 10 | Craig Grylls | 0:49.43 | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Craig Grylls
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
She ran on strongly to land her maiden win at this track last time at the first run back from a break. Can feature in the finish again.
Last Starts 22 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/14 | 25/02/2026 | 109 | MDN F&M | $21,552.00 | PUKE | 1400m | Good 4 | Craig Grylls | 57kg | 1:23.16 | - | 13 |
| 0.86L | $11.60 |
| 2/7 | 10/02/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | ELLS | 1100m | Soft 5 | Craig Grylls | 1:06.93 | - | 3 |
| 0.75L | $0.00 | |
| 4/13 | 08/11/2025 | 14 | MDN 3YO | $21,930.00 | PUKE | 1600m | Good 4 | Courtney Barnes | 55.5kg | 1:37.99 | - | 5 |
| 2.90L | $8.20 |
| 4/11 | 25/10/2025 | 15 | MDN 3YO | $26,316.00 | ELLS | 1400m | Soft 5 | Kozzi Asano | 55.5kg | 1:26.50 | - | 2 |
| 4.50L | $30.60 |
| 4/14 | 10/10/2025 | - | MDN | $16,228.00 | TAUP | 1300m | Soft 6 | George Rooke | 54kg | 1:20.89 | - | 6 |
| 2.50L | $35.20 |
| 2/6 | 23/09/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | TE R | 1100m | Heavy 9 | George Rooke | 1:10.98 | - | 6 |
| 2L | $0.00 | |
| 6/7 | 09/09/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | ELLS | 800m | Soft 5 | Matt Cartwright | 0:49.23 | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 7/7 | 12/08/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | AVON | 800m | Heavy 10 | Michael McNab | 0:46.41 | - | 5 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/7 | 09/06/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | ELLS | 800m | Soft 6 | Michael McNab | 00:47.52 | - | 4 |
| 1.2L | $0.00 | |
| 5/7 | 27/05/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | TEAW | 850m | Heavy 10 | Courtney Barnes | 0:51.60 | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Michael McNab
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Good effort last start to win her maiden over 1600m at Tauherenikau by 0.5 lengths. Fitter and can measure up again.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12 | 05/03/2026 | 18 | MDN 3YO | $15,546.00 | TAUH | 1600m | Soft 6 | Craig Grylls | 55.5kg | 1:38.14 | - | 7 |
| 0.52L | $5.70 |
| 4/10 | 15/02/2026 | 16 | MDN | $15,948.00 | WPKU | 1400m | Soft 7 | Elen Nicholas | 55kg | 1:26.05 | - | 2 |
| 1.85L | $5.10 |
| 7/14 | 30/01/2026 | 28 | MDN | $21,552.00 | TE R | 1400m | Good 4 | Craig Grylls | 55kg | 1:23.12 | - | 1 |
| 4.07L | $13.70 |
| 1/5 | 13/01/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | TAUR | 950m | Soft 5 | Craig Grylls | 00:59.33 | - | 1 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 | |
| 11/12 | 02/01/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | TAUR | 1200m | Soft 6 | Elen Nicholas | 54kg | 1:12.56 | - | 4 |
| 5.22L | $44.30 |
| 6/9 | 09/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | PUKE | 800m | Good 4 | Craig Grylls | 0:46.51 | - | 5 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/7 | 30/10/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | TAUP | 900m | Soft 6 | Craig Grylls | 00:55.76 | - | 2 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | |
| 5/8 | 05/08/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | TE R | 900m | Heavy 8 | Craig Grylls | 0:55.02 | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/5 | 11/03/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | ELLS | 800m | Soft 5 | George Rooke | 0:50.36 | - | 2 |
| 0.05L | $0.00 | |
| 7/7 | 03/09/2024 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | CSYN | 800m | Synthetic | Craig Grylls | 0:45.68 | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Samantha Collett
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Good effort last time when he finished just 2 lengths away in fifth over 1500m at Ellerslie. Has ability and is one of the leading chances.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/11 | 07/03/2026 | 10 | 3YO SW+P | $84,034.00 | ELLS | 1500m | Soft 5 | Samantha Collett | 56kg | 1:31.60 | - | 1 |
| 2.05L | $14.10 |
| 3/12 | 25/02/2026 | 14 | MDN 3YO | $21,552.00 | PUKE | 1200m | Good 4 | Samantha Collett | 57.5kg | 1:09.76 | - | 10 |
| 1.13L | $3.00 |
| 5/14 | 11/02/2026 | 61 | MDN | $21,552.00 | TE A | 1150m | Soft 5 | Matthew Cameron | 58kg | 1:06.88 | - | 7 |
| 4.12L | $2.20 |
| 2/14 | 12/12/2025 | 13 | MDN | $21,930.00 | TAUR | 1400m | Good 4 | Matthew Cameron | 57kg | 1:23.52 | - | 7 |
| 1.50L | $2.10 |
| 2/11 | 29/11/2025 | 25 | MDN | $26,316.00 | ELLS | 1300m | Soft 5 | Matt Cartwright | 57kg | 1:19.44 | - | 11 |
| 0.50L | $2.20 |
| 2/11 | 04/11/2025 | 45 | MDN | $35,088.00 | ELLS | 1200m | Good 4 | Matthew Cameron | 57kg | 1:10.26 | - | 1 |
| 4.50L | $5.30 |
| 2/12 | 20/09/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $27,027.00 | ELLS | 1200m | Soft 5 | Matthew Cameron | 57.5kg | 1:12.11 | - | 11 |
| 3.00L | $23.10 |
| 1/8 | 26/08/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | TEAW | 850m | Soft 5 | Kelly Myers | 00:52.41 | - | 2 |
| 0.05L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Matthew Cameron
Weight: 54kgs
Stats
Comments
Solid effort last start when resuming, beaten 1.75 lengths into fourth over 1400m at Matamata. Likely to measure up again with a repeat performance.
Last Starts 19 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 28/02/2026 | 133 | MDN | $21,008.00 | MATA | 1400m | Soft 6 | George Rooke | 56kg | 1:24.19 | - | 6 |
| 1.87L | $2.50 |
| 1/7 | 10/02/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | ELLS | 1100m | Soft 5 | George Rooke | 1:06.78 | - | 2 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 | |
| 3/15 | 18/10/2025 | 31 | MDN | $26,316.00 | ELLS | 1400m | Good 4 | George Rooke | 54kg | 1:23.52 | - | 7 |
| 0.60L | $7.60 |
| 4/8 | 17/09/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $16,667.00 | TAUP | 1300m | Soft 5 | George Rooke | 55.5kg | 1:21.36 | - | 4 |
| 6.10L | $1.90 |
| 1/8 | 26/08/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | TEAW | 850m | Soft 5 | George Rooke | 00:52.79 | - | 4 |
| 0.25L | $0.00 | |
| 4/8 | 12/08/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | AVON | 800m | Heavy 10 | Masa Hashizume | 0:47.12 | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/5 | 29/04/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | PUKE | 800m | Heavy 10 | Ryan Elliot | 00:47.48 | - | 5 |
| 1.5L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Matt Cartwright
Weight: 54kgs
Stats
Comments
Didn't do a bad job last start when fifth on debut over 1400m at this track. Promising three-year-old filly who is sure to measure up.
Last Starts 22 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/10 | 25/02/2026 | - | 3YOF SW+P | $21,552.00 | PUKE | 1400m | Good 4 | Matt Cartwright | 55.5kg | 1:22.25 | - | 10 |
| 2.09L | $24.10 |
| 3/6 | 10/02/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | ELLS | 1100m | Soft 5 | Matt Cartwright | 1:07.22 | - | 2 |
| 0.95L | $0.00 | |
| 5/8 | 05/08/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | TE R | 900m | Heavy 8 | Michael McNab | 0:56.64 | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/6 | 29/04/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | PUKE | 800m | Heavy 10 | Courtney Barnes | 00:47.84 | - | 6 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | |
| 5/5 | 15/04/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | CSYN | 800m | Synthetic | Wiremu Pinn | 0:45.77 | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 |