TRACKCHAT: Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Futurity Stakes Day - Saturday 27th May 2023

Need an insider tip? Keen to know how the track is shaping up?

Here’s your preview of our upcoming raceday complete with Craig Baker’s preview of the day’s feature race, speed maps, a track report AND best bets from some special guests.

Track update

The track on Friday morning was rated a Heavy 10. While there is good weather due today and tomorrow it is likely the track will stay in that range. However, if the wind picks up, we may get back to a Heavy 9 but doubt it will be any better than that.

Here’s what our track manager, Emery White and racing operations manager Mark Nowell had to say about the track this morning:

Feature Race Preview

Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Futurity Stakes | Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s last black type race of the season.

The Sam Logan trained, Saltcoats, was a game third behind the highly impressive Solidify on a Heavy 8 in a Listed race at its last start which looks the most obvious form line for this.

Paragon was narrowly beaten in its first start at Hastings at the end of April so will be tough to beat as well as last start winner Oneira trained by the inform, Cody Cole.

Apart from Central Districts visitor Chantilly Lace, none of these two-year-olds have been out to 1400 so will certainly be a test for them in Heavy conditions. Based on that, a difficult race to bet into but Saltcoats narrowly on top for me.

More things to know about the day

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Timings

Facilities open: 11.00am

Hospitality opens: 11.30am

First race (of 8): 12.15pm

Last race: 4.25pm

Need some tips?

ATR CEO Paul Wilcox rates:

Race 3 | 1.26pm | BARFOOT & THOMPSON AUCKLAND FUTURITY STAKES
Bet: Oneira #5 (FFW)

Race 6 | 3.15pm | JRA TROPHY 1500
Bet: Crystallize #1

Pukekohe Park Racing Operations Manager Mark Nowell rates:

Race 2 | 12.50pm |PUKEKAWA PONY CLUB 1200
Bet: Turn The Ace #1 (Win)

Race 7 | 3.50pm | NZB AIRFREIGHT 1600
Bet: Blue Moon #6 (EW)