Taree
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
No more jumps at this meeting today.
Punty's Punts
Race type: Maiden, 1007m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace, Redzero likely controls it; Kissavos sits handy; Love You Anyway and Antilopini are the ones trying to lob in with a late sniff if the leader gets cooked
Punty read: Redzero is the obvious bully on the block here. If Ben Looker gets him out and rolling, this can turn into a very ordinary chase for the rest of them. Kissavos has been firmed and gets the right sort of run, but the tongue tie first time says they're chasing a bit of polish rather than a complete overhaul. Love You Anyway is the horse for the exotics if the speed gets aggressive and the front-runner starts feeling the pinch. Antilopini's got the roughie label for a reason, but at least it can sit in the second wave and have a crack if the tempo gets silly.
Top 3 + Roughie ($12.00 pool)
1. Redzero (No.2) — $1.40 / $1.12 🏆 WINNER
Bet $12.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$6.00
Prob 44.9% | Place: 22.2% | Value: 0.95x
Why Gets the map gift from barrier 6 and looks the one they all have to run down if he kicks clear in the lane.
2. Love You Anyway (No.7) — $7.00 / $2.25 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 19.5% | Place: 13.0% | Value: 1.27x
Why Honest enough mare, but she's not the sort you want to be climbing on at that juice unless the race turns into a demolition derby.
3. Kissavos (No.1) — $4.80 / $1.70 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 17.4% | Place: 11.8% | Value: 1.19x
Why The fresh tongue tie is the little smoky here, but the profile screams place chance more than "smash the door down" mode.
Roughie: Antilopini (No.8) — $14.00 / $3.60 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.1% | Place: 5.1% | Value: 0.97x
Why A slow start last time doesn't help, but if the leaders overdo it and this bloke gets dragged into a late drag race, stranger things have happened.
Race type: Benchmark 58, 1262m
Map & tempo: Moderate tempo; Toomuchinformation maps perfectly from barrier 1, Dark Justice can sit handy, and the real roughie angle is The Comanche or Mad Harry if they get a clean crack late
Punty read: Toomuchinformation looks like the sort of horse that makes the bookies sleep easy, which usually means the punter has to do a bit more thinking. The inside draw is gold and the stable/jockey combo has enough about it to control the race if they want to. Dark Justice is the danger because it has the on-speed profile and can pinch a decent spot without wasting petrol. The Comanche is the sneaky one - the form reads like a broken washing machine, but the soft-track and track angle keeps it alive if this turns into a survival test rather than a speed test. Mad Harry is the absolute smoke alarm; if it gets the right race shape, it'll be charging late like it's in the final scene of Top Gun.
Top 3 + Roughie ($15.00 pool)
1. Toomuchinformation (No.1) — $1.40 / $1.05 🏆 WINNER
Bet $15.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$7.50
Prob 29.8% | Place: 48.0% | Value: 0.53x
Why Barrier 1 and a soft enough map make this the one most likely to get the cheap run and do the job.
2. The Comanche (No.5) — $16.00 / $2.50 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 20.8% | Place: 39.5% | Value: 4.26x
Why The price is a giant slab of value, but the map and the long break mean it's more "watch closely" than "mortgage the dog".
3. Dark Justice (No.3) — $5.50 / $1.37 🏆 6TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 16.2% | Place: 33.2% | Value: 1.14x
Why Honest on-pace type, but it needs everything to stay tidy and the short odds don't exactly scream lunch money.
Roughie: Mad Harry (No.4) — $41.00 / $5.00 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.2% | Place: 18.9% | Value: 4.28x
Why Held up last time and can swoop late if the pace gets genuine; the back-end profile says don't be shocked if it runs home better than the market thinks.
Race type: Maiden, 1312m
Map & tempo: Slow tempo, Artie's Magic should be near the speed; Varazze is the other obvious forward type; Moonlight Diva and Foxy Prague are the sit-and-sprint hopes
Punty read: This one has the flavour of a race where the favourite is good enough to win but not good enough to make you feel safe. Artie's Magic has the right gear changes to sharpen it up and the form line isn't ugly, though the market is already treating it like a home run. Varazze gets the map benefit and the track side of the puzzle, but the drift says the ring isn't exactly singing its praises. Moonlight Diva is the kind of runner that can look plain on paper and then run on when the others are flatter than a failed soufflé. Gallant Rush is the sneaky little nuisance - the market support is there, and if it steps away cleanly after a couple of rough runs, it can land in the finish without needing a miracle.
Top 3 + Roughie ($12.00 pool)
1. Artie's Magic (No.13) — $3.40 / $1.45 🏆 11TH
Bet $12.00 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$12.00
Prob 28.3% | Place: 44.9% | Value: 0.81x
Why Gear changes galore and a map that lets it be handy; if it sharpens up even a touch, it's the one to beat.
2. Varazze (No.10) — $5.00 / $1.85 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.7% | Place: 35.0% | Value: 0.92x
Why Has been knocking on the door and should get a nice enough run near the pace, but the drift says don't go full goose.
3. Moonlight Diva (No.8) — $3.20 / $1.37 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.1% | Place: 23.5% | Value: 0.78x
Why Backmarking profile means it needs the tempo to get a bit silly; otherwise it can be bailed up and left staring at the rear-vision mirror.
Roughie: Prince Of Wants (No.2) — $11.00 / $3.30 🏆 6TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.8% | Place: 17.3% | Value: 1.13x
Why If the market's pushing it out and the map isn't kind, it still has the kind of late closing lane that can nick a placing if the front end overraces.
Race type: Maiden, 1614m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace; Optimal Moments controls it, Propane is the main stalker, Kitsilano is the key danger if it can overcome the awkward draw and find the right lane
Punty read: Optimal Moments looks like the sort of horse that gets first dibs on the chocolates and still somehow ends up with the whole tin. The map is lovely and Rory Hutchings is the sort of hoop who can milk that sort of advantage. Propane is the one with the obvious profile to chase, but the market support isn't doing enough to convince me it's a certainty. Kitsilano has had the money and could easily run on, but the soft-track map plus the barrier issue means it needs a bit of luck to land the blow. Fire Island is the roughie with the right sort of shape if the speed collapses - not the horse to trust with your rent, but lively enough to keep honest punters awake.
Top 3 + Roughie ($15.00 pool)
1. Optimal Moments (No.4) — $1.57 / $1.12 🏆 WINNER
Bet $15.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$12.00
Prob 33.8% | Place: 49.7% | Value: 0.71x
Why Controls the race from the front and gets every chance to pinch it if the engine is sound.
2. Propane (No.5) — $8.50 / $2.25 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 16.3% | Place: 32.7% | Value: 0.83x
Why Can sit handy and has the right sort of tempo profile, but it's the sort of runner that gets backed and then makes you sweat like a squirrel in a sauna.
3. Kitsilano (No.2) — $10.00 / $2.40 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 10.4% | Place: 22.9% | Value: 0.83x
Why Money has come for it, and for good reason, but the gate means it can't be a deadset pig about how it gets into the race.
Roughie: Fire Island (No.9) — $18.00 / $3.50 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.8% | Place: 19.9% | Value: 1.01x
Why If the leaders overcook each other, this is the sort of horse that can clatter home and make the exotics interesting.
Race type: Benchmark 58, 1262m
Map & tempo: Slow tempo but with enough angles to make it tricky; Dancingontherosso is the speed horse, All Too Rosey and Casino Collection are the value map runners, and Sheila's Fanta Sea is the one with a sneaky gear tweak
Punty read: This is the sort of race where the punter gets greedy and the form guide bites him on the arse. Dancingontherosso is a proper talent and has the bling of a winner, but the price is starting to smell like a favourite that the public has fallen in love with. All Too Rosey is the real sting in the tail - heavily backed, maps well, and has the sort of form that says it isn't there for a sightseeing tour. Casino Collection is the honest grinder that can stalk the right run and be dangerous if the pace is only moderate. Sheila's Fanta Sea gets the gear changes and could absolutely bob up if the right gaps appear.
Top 3 + Roughie ($12.00 pool)
1. Dancingontherosso (No.8) — $3.80 / $1.65 🏆 7TH
Bet $12.00 Each Way ($6.00W + $6.00P) — ✗ Lost, net -$12.00
Prob 17.2% | Place: 31.0% | Value: 0.82x
Why The one with the class edge and the speed, but the market isn't exactly giving you a free lunch.
2. All Too Rosey (No.5) — $20.00 / $4.40 🏆 8TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 13.8% | Place: 26.2% | Value: 3.49x
Why Backed hard for a reason - maps beautifully from barrier 2 and looks the kind of improver that can absolutely mug them if the favourite gets too comfy.
3. Casino Collection (No.6) — $6.50 / $2.25 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 13.5% | Place: 25.7% | Value: 1.11x
Why Honest as the day is long and gets a workable run, but you'd rather let the exotics do the talking than go all-in on the win side.
Roughie: Blue Dane (No.4) — $9.50 / $2.90 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 10.3% | Place: 20.6% | Value: 1.24x
Why Drifting a touch, but if the tempo is steadier than expected this sort of runner can sneak into the finish and blow up the multiples.
Race type: Benchmark 66, 1614m
Map & tempo: Slow tempo, Annulus is the map horse to beat, Talana and Prince Is Game are in the right orbit, and In Iso is the lurker if the tempo gets messy
Punty read: This is chaos with a capital C. Annulus has been backed like someone left the taps running and that's usually a sign the right people like the horse. It maps okay, gets in light, and has the kind of profile that can win if the race doesn't turn into a tactical snooze-fest. Talana is honest and has the kind of soft-track record that keeps it relevant, though the drift in the overall context says the market isn't fully convinced. Prince Is Game is the grinder you don't ignore in these races - the form isn't sexy, but the race shape can make a liar out of a short price and an honest horse. In Iso is the big old smoky: terrible recent runs, but if the pace gets muddled and the pressure builds late, it can lob at a mammoth number and ruin a few exotics.
Top 3 + Roughie ($15.00 pool)
1. Annulus (No.3) — $15.00 / $3.30 🏆 7TH
Bet $15.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$15.00
Prob 18.1% | Place: 40.5% | Value: 3.41x
Why Heavy support, a decent map, and a trainer/jockey combination that can turn this into a proper nuisance for the rest.
2. Talana (No.2) — $7.50 / $2.15 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 16.6% | Place: 37.9% | Value: 1.56x
Why Gets barrier 1 and should get every chance to stalk the leaders, but the race shape is too muddy to get too frothy.
3. Prince Is Game (No.12) — $9.00 / $2.35 🏆 5TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.2% | Place: 33.6% | Value: 1.60x
Why Honest staying-ish type in a race where honesty might be the key, but the safer move is to let the model keep the powder dry.
Roughie: Oakfield Peewee (No.6) — $9.00 / $2.35 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.8% | Place: 24.7% | Value: 1.11x
Why Has won here before and could absolutely get into the picture if it gets a stalking run, but the late alt and the open nature of the race mean it's more exotics than win bet.
Race type: Benchmark 66, 1007m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace, What A Rush leads, The Piccolino and Sapphire Kiss have the right sort of stalking runs, and Mr Trackside/Pixie Hallow are the ones praying for a clean lane and a strong tempo
Punty read: This is the last-race type that makes grown men stare at their screen and question every life choice. What A Rush is the obvious pace horse, but the drift says the market isn't exactly tossing roses at it. The Piccolino is the one with the heavy support and the right sort of late turn of foot if the front end gets it wrong. Sapphire Kiss has been backed and maps nicely enough to be right in the mix. Mr Trackside is the sneaky one if the blinkers off does the trick and the race turns into a last-to-first dagger. Pixie Hallow is live enough to be annoying if the insideish run and genuine pace combine.
Top 3 + Roughie ($15.00 pool)
1. The Piccolino (No.12) — $12.00 / $3.60 🏆 3RD
Bet $15.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$16.50
Prob 14.3% | Place: 22.6% | Value: 2.18x
Why Massive market support, good map position, and the sort of profile that can absolutely pounce if the leaders go too hard.
2. Sapphire Kiss (No.11) — $13.00 / $3.90 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 13.1% | Place: 21.1% | Value: 2.17x
Why The stable has clearly had a crack and the horse has enough speed to land in the right lane; just not enough place juice to force the issue.
3. What A Rush (No.2) — $3.95 / $1.65 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.6% | Place: 20.3% | Value: 0.63x
Why Pure speed horse and could hold them off if the rail and wind play nice, but the market move says caution and the price says no thanks.
Roughie: Pixie Hallow (No.1) — $9.00 / $3.00 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 10.1% | Place: 16.9% | Value: 1.15x
Why Handy old warrior with the kind of map that can sneak into the first four if the leaders are all having a barney.
Sequence legs are the picks-engine's authoritative choice, rendered from the persisted ticket.
Smart: 4,5,2,8,9 / 8,5,6,7,4 / 3,2,12,7 / 12,11,2,10,1,3 (600 combos x $0.05 = $32.00) -- 5% flexi
The day's multi leans on three win legs across the card.
1 - Redzero (Race 1, No.2)✓ Won — $1.40
2 - Toomuchinformation (Race 2, No.1)✓ Won — $1.40
3 - Optimal Moments (Race 4, No.4)✓ Won — $1.57
Meeting Stats
Selections
Punty's Early Mail
Rightio Loose Units, Taree's serving up a Soft 6 with the rail out 3m and a bit of shower about the joint, so this isn't one of those "sit back and admire the scenery" cards. It's a day where the on-speed types get their chance early, but the gusty wind can make the swoopers work for every inch like they're trying to drag a couch up the stairs in a footy jersey.
MEET SNAPSHOT
Track: Taree, 1007m to 1614m card
Rail: +3m Entire
Official going: Soft 6, expected to play balanced to slightly on-pace
Weather: Shower or two, 22°C, humidity 49%, wind 24km/h S, with gusts to 38.9km/h and it feeling more like 18.7°C
Early lane guess: handy runners from inside-to-mid gates get first crack; out wide is no picnic if you get stuck peeling
Tempo profile: plenty of genuine speed in the sprints, a few pressure cooker maidens, then the back half of the card turns into full-blown chaos city
Ben Looker, keeps popping up on the right sort of chances and knows how to land one when the map hands him a cheap lead
Ms Olivia Dalton, light claim, good use of it, and she lands on a couple of live ones where position matters
Ms Shannen Llewellyn, handy claim and gets a stack of mount opportunities; if she's on the right map horse, she's dangerous
P Cheers, has multiple runners across the card and a few who can roll forward; stable could easily pinch one or two
Sally Taylor, has a nice spread of honest types and a couple of the better map horses; not here to muck around
M J Robinson, keeps throwing up runners in the right spots and has a few that look primed to run above their price if the race shape helps
Punty's take:
This meeting reads like a pub tab after payday: a few bankers up top, then a bunch of absolute ferals in the middle and back end. Race 1 and Race 2 look like the kind of races where the market has done most of the heavy lifting, but there are a couple of prices that have been kicked in the guts for good reason and a couple that have been smashed for the right reasons. Redzero and Toomuchinformation are the sort of shorties you can build around, but you don't want to get married to them like they're the last schooner on a Friday night.
The real fun starts when the pressure comes on later. Race 5, Race 6 and Race 7 are proper punter traps - open enough to make a favourite look shaky, but not so messy that you need a mortgage-sized quaddie. That's where the market movers matter. All Too Rosey has been crunched for a reason, Annulus has been backed like it owes someone money, and The Piccolino is getting the kind of attention that says the stable isn't just there for the free lunch. Meanwhile a few of the shorties are wearing unders like a bad costume at a school play.
What it means for you:
If you're having a crack, don't spray and pray across the whole card like a cooked pelican. Lean on the map horses in the early races, then use the open legs to find your collect. Race 1 and Race 4 are your best banker-style anchors, Race 2 is the one where the winner might be obvious but the value isn't, and the back end is where you want to box the right runners rather than get cute with a skinny fade. Soft ground and the rail out mean field position matters, especially with the wind making late runs harder to time.
The smart play is to treat the early part of the day as a scaffold and the last three as the payoff. If you're after a smaller ticket, keep your weight around the top two or three in the first four races and let the quaddie do the lifting. If you're chasing a proper snag, the value is absolutely sitting in the races where the pace map is messy and the market hasn't fully respected the right sort of horse. That's where you want to be a greedy bastard, not a hero.