Tauherenikau Race 4 - POPE & GRAY CONTRACTORS MDN 1300M
MIDNIGHT TRAIN (5) made a solid debut off a wide gate at Te Aroha, before improving again to finish runner-up at Ruakaka just over 7 weeks ago. In-form hoop Erin Leighton picks up the ride, and the recent freshen up would have done her no harm. In this field, she is the one to beat. BORROWED TIME (6) was only fair on debut after trialling up nicely at Foxton before that. This field is not strong, and an improved effort is on the cards. TREASURE TROVE (2) set the pace and fought on gamely for fourth at Ruakaka a month ago, and he can only continue to improve with more racing. Stick with him. DANCING FANTAIL (1) has changed stables since his last run at Otaki over a year ago. He is trained on the beach now, and the market will be the best guide. PISTACHIO (9) was doing her best work late at Whanganui last start, and she is capable of running into the top four here.

Jockey: Toni Davies
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a break. Fitter for a recent trial at Foxton. Opened last campaign with a fourth at Woodville over 1200m. Capable of a bold return.
Last Starts 23 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/7 | 13/01/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | FOXT | 1400m | Good 4 | Liam Kauri | 1:25.47 | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 6/7 | 16/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Good 3 | Kate Hercock | 1:02.66 | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 4/8 | 03/11/2024 | 15 | MDN | $15,000.00 | OTAK | 1400m | Soft 7 | Leah Hemi | 58.5kg | 1:25.68 | - | 2 |
| 4.20L | $7.10 |
| 5/14 | 19/10/2024 | 10 | MDN | $21,000.00 | OTAK | 1400m | Good 4 | Liam Kauri | 55.5kg | 1:24.06 | - | 10 |
| 4.20L | $12.70 |
| 4/10 | 09/10/2024 | 15 | MDN | $18,349.00 | WAV | 1400m | Heavy 8 | Leah Hemi | 58.5kg | 1:26.85 | - | 7 |
| 2.60L | $15.40 |
| 5/11 | 24/09/2024 | 16 | MDN | $16,972.00 | WAV | 1400m | Heavy 9 | Leah Hemi | 58.5kg | 1:29.14 | - | 1 |
| 1.80L | $5.40 |
| 4/14 | 08/09/2024 | 72 | MDN | $0.00 | WDVL | 1200m | Heavy 10 | Leah Hemi | 58.5kg | 1:17.93 | - | 6 |
| 3.80L | $11.60 |
| 3/6 | 22/08/2024 | - | MDN 4YO&UP | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Heavy 10 | Leah Hemi | 1:07.03 | - | 1 |
| 1.3L | $0.00 | |
| 9/14 | 28/06/2024 | - | MDN 3YO | $15,741.00 | OTAK | 1400m | Heavy 10 | Madan Singh | 57.5kg | 1:28.61 | - | 7 |
| 5.20L | $22.90 |
| 0/6 | 28/05/2024 | - | MDN | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Soft 6 | Lisa Allpress | 1:02.73 | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Samantha Collett
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Strips fitter after two runs this campaign. Finished fourth last start over 1400m at Ruakaka, an improvement in the first-up effort. Sure to give a great sight. Looks ready to win.
Last Starts 30 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/10 | 06/01/2026 | 30 | MDN | $15,948.00 | RUAK | 1400m | Soft 5 | Rory Hutchings | 58.5kg | 1:23.94 | - | 1 |
| 2.83L | $40.30 |
| 5/8 | 16/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | AVON | 1100m | Good 4 | Craig Grylls | 1:05.9 | - | 9 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 10/11 | 07/12/2025 | 204 | MDN | $16,228.00 | TE A | 1150m | Good 3 | Craig Grylls | 58.5kg | 1:07.80 | - | 7 |
| 7.70L | $18.60 |
| 2/8 | 14/11/2025 | - | MDN 4YO&UP | $0.00 | AVON | 1000m | Soft 5 | Matthew Cameron | 1:00.75 | - | 8 |
| 3.25L | $0.00 | |
| 10/12 | 17/05/2025 | - | MDN 2YO&UP | $23,148.00 | ELLS | 1200m | Soft 5 | Ryan Elliot | 58.5kg | 1:11.79 | - | 2 |
| 10.00L | $23.90 |
| 3/7 | 03/04/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | ELLS | 800m | Soft 5 | Craig Grylls | 0:47.05 | - | 3 |
| 5L | $0.00 | |
| 7/7 | 05/03/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | TAUP | 1100m | Soft 7 | Kevin Stott | 1:08.65 | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/5 | 11/02/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | ELLS | 800m | Soft 5 | Craig Grylls | 0:46.27 | - | 2 |
| 3.75L | $0.00 | |
| 7/8 | 17/12/2024 | - | MDN | $0.00 | PUKE | 800m | Soft 5 | Michael McNab | 0:45.74 | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 5/7 | 03/12/2024 | - | MDN | $0.00 | PUKE | 800m | Soft 5 | Wiremu Pinn | 0:47.12 | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Chris Dell
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Maiden galloper in first campaign. Made it three unplaced runs from as many starts when 11th over 1600m at Wanganui two-and-a-half weeks ago. Might struggle again.
Last Starts 17 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/11 | 19/01/2026 | 9 | MDN | $15,948.00 | WGUI | 1600m | Soft 5 | Jonathan Riddell | 58.5kg | 1:38.55 | - | 7 |
| 29.56L | $44.40 |
| 12/14 | 10/01/2026 | 27 | MDN | $21,552.00 | WGUI | 1340m | Good 4 | Jim Chung | 56.5kg | 1:20.11 | - | 14 |
| 11.40L | $61.40 |
| 10/11 | 14/12/2025 | - | MDN | $21,930.00 | TREN | 1200m | Soft 5 | Kate Hercock | 58.5kg | 1:09.59 | - | 1 |
| 13.10L | $14.20 |
| 1/6 | 02/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | WDVL | 1200m | Good 3 | Bruno Queiroz | 1:13.14 | - | 3 |
| 1L | $0.00 | |
| 3/8 | 03/11/2025 | - | MDN 4YO&UP | $0.00 | WDVL | 1050m | Soft 5 | Kate Hercock | 1:02.82 | - | 1 |
| 2.75L | $0.00 | |
| 7/7 | 24/06/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Heavy 10 | Kavish Chowdhoory | 1:05.27 | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 5/6 | 01/10/2024 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Soft 7 | Lily Sutherland | 1.1.69 | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 4/4 | 18/09/2024 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Heavy 10 | Kavish Chowdhoory | 1:07.49 | - | 8 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Erin Leighton
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Heading in the right direction. Last start finished 2.5 lengths away in second over 1400m at Ruakaka. Shapes as one of the top chances.
Last Starts 50 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 17/12/2025 | 10 | MDN 3YO | $16,228.00 | RUAK | 1400m | Soft 5 | Lynsey Satherley | 57.5kg | 1:23.71 | - | 1 |
| 2.50L | $5.90 |
| 5/13 | 07/12/2025 | - | MDN | $16,228.00 | TE A | 1150m | Good 3 | Lynsey Satherley | 57kg | 1:06.19 | - | 13 |
| 8.80L | $24.60 |
| 3/7 | 18/11/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | TEAW | 850m | Good 3 | Rihaan Goyaram | 0:52.48 | - | 3 |
| 1.75L | $0.00 | |
| 4/8 | 27/05/2025 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | TEAW | 850m | Heavy 10 | Rihaan Goyaram | 0:50.55 | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 5/6 | 15/10/2024 | - | 2YO | $0.00 | AVON | 600m | Heavy 10 | Joe Doyle | 0:37.34 | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 |

Jockey: Kate Hercock
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Drew a poor gate on debut last start over 1200m at Otaki and finished 4.5 lengths from the winner in seventh. Better for that run and looks well placed.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/10 | 09/01/2026 | - | MDN 3YO | $15,948.00 | OTAK | 1200m | Good 4 | Kate Hercock | 57.5kg | 1:11.34 | - | 9 |
| 4.32L | $15.60 |
| 2/6 | 16/09/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Heavy 8 | Kate Hercock | 1:03.71 | - | 3 |
| 2.25L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Masa Hashizume
Weight: 56.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Hasn't been far away in three career runs, the latest when 5.5 lengths away in fifth over 1340m at Wanganui. Don't underestimate.
Last Starts 17 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 19/01/2026 | 24 | MDN | $15,948.00 | WGUI | 1340m | Soft 5 | Elen Nicholas | 55.5kg | 1:22.22 | - | 8 |
| 5.57L | $47.70 |
| 6/10 | 26/12/2025 | 16 | MDN | $21,930.00 | OTAK | 1200m | Soft 7 | Chris Dell | 56.5kg | 1:13.18 | - | 3 |
| 4.10L | $36.10 |
| 9/9 | 10/12/2025 | - | MDN | $21,930.00 | TAUH | 1000m | Good 4 | Toni Davies | 54.5kg | 0:57.16 | - | 6 |
| 17.80L | $30.20 |
| 6/7 | 19/11/2024 | - | MDN | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Soft 5 | Kavish Chowdhoory | 0:60.25 | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 6/7 | 15/10/2024 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Soft 7 | Kavish Chowdhoory | 0:63.05 | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/5 | 01/10/2024 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | FOXT | 850m | Soft 7 | Kavish Chowdhoory | 00:54.21 | - | 4 |
| 0.7L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Madan Singh
Weight: 56.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes after a spell of eight months. Did little in her maiden campaign, culminating in a 13th over 1200m at Te Rapa. Wait until she shows something.
Last Starts 250 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/13 | 31/05/2025 | 14 | MDN 2YO&UP | $18,519.00 | TE R | 1200m | Heavy 10 | Vinnie Colgan | 56.5kg | 1:14.20 | - | 8 |
| 20.80L | $55.10 |
| 9/10 | 17/05/2025 | - | 3YO SW+P | $37,037.00 | ELLS | 1100m | Soft 5 | Tayla Mitchell | 53kg | 1:04.90 | - | 4 |
| 10.30L | $66.20 |

Jockey: Bruno Queiroz
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Three-year-old filly out of Group 3 winning dam Thames Court. Was in the placings in her most recent trial at Foxton. Has the pedigree so don't dismiss. Watch market closely.
Last Starts 23 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 13/01/2026 | - | MDN | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Good 4 | Bruno Queiroz | 1:01.50 | - | 1 |
| 0.8L | $0.00 | |
| 2/6 | 16/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | FOXT | 850m | Good 3 | Bruno Queiroz | 00:54.28 | - | 4 |
| 1L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Mereana Hudson
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Stepping out on debut here. Did not show a great deal at the trials and prefer to see in a race before backing.
Last Starts 51 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/7 | 16/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | FOXT | 1000m | Good 3 | Jonathan Riddell | 1:02.66 | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 5/8 | 02/12/2025 | - | MDN | $0.00 | WDVL | 1000m | Good 3 | Jonathan Riddell | 0:59.46 | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 7/7 | 03/09/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | WAV | 1000m | Heavy 10 | Jonathan Riddell | 1:02.21 | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 4/6 | 19/08/2025 | - | MDN 3YO | $0.00 | FOXT | 850m | Heavy 9 | Kavish Chowdhoory | 0:54.67 | - | 5 |
| - | $0.00 |