| What | Te Rapa Races |
| Where | Te Rapa Racecourse – 12 Sir Tristram Ave, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand |
| When | Saturday, February 8, 2025 |
| First Race | 12:30pm NZDT (10:30am AEDT) |
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Group 1 racing in New Zealand on Saturday heads to Te Rapa Racecourse, where the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and BCD Group Sprint (1400m) headline the nine-race program. Clear skies are the theme of the day, meaning the Soft 5 rating at the time of acceptances should be a Good 4 come raceday. The rail will be out 2m for the entire circuit, with the first race set to jump at 12:30pm NZDT (10:30am AEDT).
Herbie Dyke Stakes Tip: La Crique
La Crique is yet to miss the top two in her four starts this campaign, and despite winning just one of those, she looks awfully hard to beat in the 2025 Herbie Dyke Stakes. The six-year-old mare was only nosed out of a victory in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day by the talented Snazzytavi, while she managed to put 1.3 lengths on El Vencedor — her main rival in betting with horse racing bookmakers for Saturday’s Group 1. From barrier one, Michael McNab will give her every opportunity with an economical run, and barring any bad luck, La Crique should be adding a third Group 1 to her resume.
Herbie Dyke Stakes
Race 6 – 
#10 La Crique (1)
6yo Mare | T: Simon & Katrina Alexander | J: Michael McNab (57kg)
BCD Group Sprint Tip: Here To Shock
Aussie raider Here To Shock has won three of his last four starts, and his only failure in that time was a midfield finish in the Big Dance (1600m) when suffering cardiac arrhythmia while carrying 62kg. The son of Shocking was a determined on-pace winner of The Supernova (1400m) last time out on a day where it was hard to stick on after being in the leading brigade. Nash Rawiller will have him close to the speed throughout once again, and with a tactical advantage on some of his key rivals, Here To Shock looks the one to beat.
BCD Group Sprint
Race 8 – 
#1 Here To Shock (9)
7yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Nash Rawiller (59kg)
David & Karryn Ellis Fillies Classic Tip: Leica Lucy
The Robbie Patterson-trained Leica Lucy has won her last two races in impressive fashion in Group 3 company. Despite the Group 2 David & Karryn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) being a step up in grade and trip, everything the three-year-old has shown so far suggests she will handle the occasion with aplomb. Leica Lucy looks to be the class horse in the field, and she will be given every opportunity from barrier one.
David & Karryn Ellis Fillies Classic
Race 4 – 
#1 Leica Lucy (1)
3yo Filly | T: Robbie Patterson | J: Craig Grylls (56.5kg)
Waikato Guineas Tip: Bourbon Proof
Bourbon Proof was far from disgraced in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and looks like he will enjoy every bit of the 2000m in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas. He meets Tuxedo again, who beat him home by 2.3 lengths last time out, but this bloke appeared to be hitting the line better than his key market rival. Michael McNab will likely settle the son of Justify in the second half of the field, but with a bum to follow and a well-timed sprint, Bourbon Proof has the turn of foot to be featuring in the finishing.
Waikato Guineas
Race 7 – 
#3 Bourbon Proof (9)
3yo Colt | T: Stephen Marsh | J: Michael McNab (57kg)
Best Bet at Te Rapa: Charmrose
Charmrose was a determined maiden winner at Wanganui on January 20, and with natural improvement third-up, she looks set to go on with the job. The four-year-old mare settled second and was chasing a hot tempo throughout, which is good form considering the 3.8-length margin back to third. She looks set to gain a similar run in transit from barrier nine under Craig Grylls, and if Charmrose can offer a kick in the home straight, she will be hard to gun down.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#4 Charmrose (9)
4yo Mare | T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | J: Craig Grylls (56.5kg)
Saturday quaddie tips for Te Rapa
Te Rapa quadrella selections
Saturday, February 8, 2025
- 1-10
- 1-3-5
- 1-9-12-13
- 3-9-13-14-15-16
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