| What | Pukekohe Races |
| Where | Pukekohe Park Raceway – 222/250 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe, New Zealand |
| When | Saturday, March 11, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:40pm NZDT |
|
Visit Ladbrokes |
|
The 2023 edition of the Group 2 Auckland Cup over 3200m is the headline act for the 10-race program out of Pukekohe on Saturday afternoon. Alongside the Cup, the Group 1 Sistema Stakes and Group 1 New Zealand Stakes feature on the program, which is set to be run on a Good 4 with the rail in the true position throughout. Racing is scheduled to get underway at 12:40pm NZDT.
Auckland Cup Top Tip – Nerve Not Verve
Nerve Not Verve should be fighting fit following a last-start second over 2500m in the Listed Tourney Cup at Moonee Valley. This seven-year-old mare is having her first start over the ultimate distance, but she has won over 2600m and is bred to handle the extra 600m. She is back in New Zealand having spent the last four seasons racing in Australia, where she has recorded six victories. Her only other win came as a three-year-old when scoring at this track, starting from the same barrier (12) as she is this weekend. Co-trainer Mike Moroney had this girl’s early-season preparation always aimed towards the Auckland Cup, and he is convinced that she will see out the distance. Reports are that she has settled in well following her journey from Australia, which was confirmed on Tuesday morning following her trackwork. She is currently on the third line of betting at around $8 with online bookmakers.
Auckland Cup
Race 9 – 
#6 Nerve Not Verve (12)
7yo Mare | T: Mike Moroney & Pam Gerard | J: Jake Bayliss (55kg)
$8 with Bet365
Sistema Stakes Top Tip – Tokyo Tycoon
It’s hard to see star two-year-old Tokyo Tycoon beaten having won all four of his race starts, including a victory here two starts back in the Karaka Million 2YO when storming home late from the rear of the field to score going away. He only beat four runners home last start when once again raced at the rear of the field to then charge home to score easily. You’re not going to get rich backing him at the short odds of around $1.60, but that price does reflect just how much more ability he holds over his rivals. His stable has won this race five times over the last seven runnings, and this star performer should be extending that record.
Sistema Stakes
Race 5 – 
#1 Tokyo Tycoon (3)
2yo Gelding | T: Mark Walker | J: Opie Bosson (57kg)
$1.60 with Palmerbet
New Zealand Stakes Top Tip – La Crique
La Crique looks very hard to beat following a last-start second in the Group 1 WFA Classic over 1600m, where she took the lead early and fought hard to the line when challenged over the last 200m of the race. She should relish the rise to 2050m on Saturday. Wet tracks have hindered her racing this season, but returning to a better surface here, she will be fighting fit and ready to greet the judge. Trainers Katrina & Simon Alexander are pleased with how she has progressed since that last-start placing and are expecting her to show her best.
New Zealand Stakes
Race 8 – 
#7 La Crique (5)
4yo Mare | T: Simon & Katrina Alexander | J: Craig Grylls (56.5kg)
$3.10 with Ladbrokes
Saturday quaddie picks for Pukekohe
Pukekohe quadrella selections
Saturday, March 11, 2023
- 1-2-7-10
- 2-7
- 1-2-3-6-13
- 2-4-8-10
Investment: $160 for 100%
More horse racing tips
