Hawera Race 7

GRANT PLUMBING OTAKI CUP HANDICAP PACE

Stake: $20,000

AMERICAN ME (5) finished seventh at Ascot Park Raceway two runs ago before a comparable effort at his latest appearance over 2700m at Roxburgh. Finds a nice race and can bounce back to form. ROUGH AND READY (4) made it two wins from his last three outings three weeks ago, getting home by 5 metres over 2700m at Cambridge Raceway. Has the class to make it two on end. DOUBLE TIME (2) disappointed last time when 15th over 2810m at Motukarara Raceway. Can atone. BETA PREPARE (1) is worth another chance after a last-start tenth over 2700m at Cambridge Raceway three weeks ago.

Distance: 2000m
Class: R57 & faster
Track: Good
Weather: Showers
Surface: Grass

Trackside Tips:

Justin Evans Selects: 5. American Me, 3. Final Change, 4. Rough And Ready, 2. Double Time

Beta Prepare (Fr1) 42140
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: Sailesh Abernethy
Prize Money: $104,920
Win / Place: 14% / 46%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Running On Faith

Dam's Sire: Soky's Atom

Owners: Betavet Limited, G C Sweeney, Mrs B M Hulston, Est B A Hedger, N R Tilsley, Go Ranger Syndicate, Est G D De Silva, Marieke Spruijt, H O Collett, J E Boone

Rating

Stats

Career

50: 7-9-7

Distance

10: 1-1-1

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

10: 1-2-1

1st Up

3: 0-0-2

2nd Up

3: 0-0-1

3rd Up

2: 1-0-0

Mobile

46: 6-9-6

Standing

4: 1-0-1

All-Weather

50: 7-9-7

Slushy

3: 0-0-1

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Left Handed

29: 5-11

Right Handed

21: 2-5

Favourite

8: 2-2-2

2nd Favourite

11: 3-2-2

Best Mile

1:57.70

Driver Stats

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Early error no help as the favourite at Cambridge on Xmas Eve. Can make amends.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
10th of 10	24/12/25	WaikBoP	2700m	Standing	All Weather	10m1	Andre Poutama	2:01.6	2:01.6	12.01L	$3.80	5	R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$24,125	$438	1. Rough And Ready 2. Iron Brigade 3. Claude	Brk,7th inr,off,wd rear,posted,wknd
4th of 8	19/12/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Sailesh Abernethy	1:55.0	1:55.0	2.71L	$46	14	4YO+ R55 to R90 MOB. PACE	$45,000	$2,500	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Mhai Surfer Girl 3. Jolimont	Prkd,trld,3bk 1050,off,stout in mid
1st of 6	5/12/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	Samantha Ottley	3:25.0	2:02.1	1.30L	$9.10	8	3YO+ R53 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$22,375	$13,750	1. Beta Prepare 2. Village Rebel 3. Final Change	Ld out,allowed terms,held on nicely
2nd of 6	27/11/25	WaikBoP	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Sailesh Abernethy	1:58.9	1:58.9	0.82L	$2.90	41	3YO+ R42 to R54 MOB. PACE	$7,160	$1,240	1. Blazing Louie 2. Beta Prepare 3. Dreams Of Eric	Esed,rear inr,off,wdst top,late dig
41 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 6	17/10/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Sailesh Abernethy	1:54.3	1:54.3	2.71L	$9.90	14	3YO+ R53 to R59 MOB. PACE	$15,215	$1,020	1. Captain Sampson 2. Debbie Lincoln 3. Sugar Ray Lincoln	Cut breeze thru'out,bttld on nicely
5th of 5	3/10/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Sailesh Abernethy	1:58.0	1:58.0	0.89L	$4.00	14	3YO+ R54 to R63 MOB. PACE	$14,918	$298	1. You Little Beauty 2. Sugar Ray Lincoln 3. Kevin Kline	3rd inr,3-bk,off 950,wd 600,kept on

Double Time (Fr2) 47780
Trainer: Michael House (Prebbleton)
Driver: Blair Orange
Prize Money: $137,814
Win / Place: 15% / 31%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: A Rocknroll Dance

Dam: Double Twist

Dam's Sire: Artsplace

Owners: Fitzgerald Family Syndicate, Wdc 03 Limited

Rating

Stats

Career

51: 8-6-2

Distance

19: 2-0-1

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

8: 0-0-0

1st Up

6: 0-0-0

2nd Up

6: 1-1-0

3rd Up

5: 2-0-0

Mobile

22: 3-0-1

Standing

29: 5-6-1

All-Weather

37: 5-5-2

Slushy

2: 0-1-0

Grass

14: 3-1-0

Left Handed

51: 8-8

Right Handed

0: 0-0

Favourite

7: 5-1-0

2nd Favourite

5: 1-0-0

Best Mile

1:58.07

Driver Stats

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Sliding Blinds]

Comments

Now in the House stable. Has recorded 3 victories on grass. Worth a nibble.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
15th of 18	29/12/25	Banks Pen	2810m	Standing	Grass	20m4	Samantha Ottley	2:06.6	2:06.6	6.51L	$28	15	R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$22,100	$350	1. Here's Herbie 2. Dance Till Dawn 3. Buckskin	17th otr,6-bk bell,wd cvr,plggd on
8th of 15	14/12/25	Rangiora	2600m	Standing	Grass	10m3	Robbie Close	2:04.4	2:04.4	9.00L	$20	8	R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$26,313	$438	1. It's Tough 2. Tanzania 3. Audacity	Wd,prkd,cvr 900,3-bk,never saw gap
7th of 8	6/12/25	Geraldine	2850m	Standing	Grass	10m3	Carter Dalgety	2:01.2	2:01.2	7.40L	$28	15	R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$23,250	$438	1. The Lazarus Effect 2. Tanzania 3. It's Tough	Brk,3rd,left prkd 2500,cvr 1350,fdd
7th of 11	21/11/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	20m2	Ricky May	2:01.2	2:01.2	4.68L	$23	7	4YO+ R50 to R70 SpecHcp PACE	$24,563	$438	1. Follow Your Dream 2. Bryce's Meddle 3. Tanzania	To inr,4-5bk inr,held up,imprvd mid
4th of 14	14/11/25	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr10	John Dunn	1:54.0	1:54.0	11.00L	$42	3	R59 to R80 MOB. PACE	$31,050	$1,800	1. The Lazarus Effect 2. Here's Herbie 3. Arthur Shelby	3bk inr,off 1x1 550,steady inr
9th of 11	11/11/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	John Dunn	1:57.0	1:57.0	6.99L	$58	8	3YO+ FFA MOB. PACE	$58,950	$1,050	1. Franco Sinatra 2. Hadron Collider 3. Smoke On The Water	5-7bk inr,6bk otr,imprvd inr,tight

Final Change (Fr3) 24371
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: Andre Poutama
Prize Money: $67,788
Win / Place: 20% / 54%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Super Change

Dam's Sire: Mach Three

Owners: Changes Syndicate

100

Rating

Stats

Career

24: 5-5-3

Distance

8: 3-2-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

9: 2-3-1

1st Up

2: 0-0-1

2nd Up

2: 0-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-1

Mobile

22: 5-5-1

Standing

2: 0-0-2

All-Weather

24: 5-5-3

Slushy

2: 1-0-1

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Left Handed

10: 3-2

Right Handed

14: 2-6

Favourite

2: 1-0-0

2nd Favourite

4: 1-1-0

Best Mile

1:57.80

Driver Stats

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Nice Auckland success on New Year's Eve. Big threat in his grass track debut.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
1st of 10	31/12/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Andre Poutama	2:41.1	1:57.8	0.11L	$14	12	3YO+ R48 to R62 MOB. PACE	$24,125	$13,750	1. Final Change 2. The Jolly Roger 3. Louezyana	6th otr,3-bk bell,wd 500,5w,up post
7th of 12	19/12/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Tony Herlihy	1:56.6	1:56.6	6.99L	$28	14	3YO R38 to R73 MOB. PACE	$50,000	$1,250	1. Tyson 2. Debbie Lincoln 3. The Night Agent	Eased,wd cvr rear 1050,no final zip
3rd of 6	5/12/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Tony Herlihy	2:02.1	2:02.1	1.30L	$6.00	14	3YO+ R53 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$22,375	$2,375	1. Beta Prepare 2. Village Rebel 3. Final Change	Brk,5th,prkd 1050,cvr 700,wd,strong
4th of 6	21/11/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	David Butcher	1:55.5	1:55.5	4.01L	$3.90	14	3YO+ R46 to R55 MOB. PACE	$13,425	$900	1. Tytate 2. The Jolly Roger 3. Claude	4th inr,3-bk 1400,held up,off,bttld
2nd of 6	7/11/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Tony Herlihy	1:58.4	1:58.4	0.59L	$4.40	14	3YO+ R42 to R53 MOB. PACE	$13,425	$2,325	1. The Jolly Roger 2. Final Change 3. Heaven High	Rear otr,held up top,angled,flew wd
9th of 9	24/10/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	David Butcher	1:56.8	1:56.8	6.51L	$13	14	3YO+ R44 to R54 MOB. PACE	$14,213	$263	1. Double Parked 2. Turn O The Tide 3. St John Eight	Eased,8th inr,4-bk,off,no final zip

Rough And Ready (10m U1) 51161
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: Kate Coppins (J)
Prize Money: $286,663
Win / Place: 14% / 32%

9 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Somebeachsomewhere

Dam: Fullofjoy

Dam's Sire: Grinfromeartoear

Owners: R S Symon, Mrs S F Symon

Rating

Stats

Career

147: 22-15-11

Distance

17: 4-4-1

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

3: 0-0-0

Season

12: 3-0-1

1st Up

5: 0-0-0

2nd Up

5: 0-0-0

3rd Up

4: 1-0-1

Mobile

93: 13-10-6

Standing

54: 9-5-5

All-Weather

129: 21-15-11

Slushy

6: 1-1-1

Grass

3: 0-0-0

Left Handed

89: 17-20

Right Handed

43: 4-5

Favourite

13: 5-4-2

2nd Favourite

20: 8-3-1

Best Mile

1:54.70

Driver Stats

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Winner of 3 of his last 4 starts. Yet to win on grass, that could change today.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
1st of 10	24/12/25	WaikBoP	2700m	Standing	All Weather	10m1	David Butcher	3:24.1	2:01.6	1.78L	$12	13	R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$24,125	$13,750	1. Rough And Ready 2. Iron Brigade 3. Claude	Brk,8th otr,3-bk,wd,ld 1450,too big
6th of 9	11/12/25	Palmerston North	2000m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Kate Coppins	1:56.8	1:56.8	2.19L	$5.40	2	R49 to R60, R61 with cond. MOB. PACE	$13,265	$245	1. Margherita 2. Blue Chip Lou 3. Lord Delmar	Eased,wd cvr rear 350,tidy thru mid
1st of 8	9/12/25	Palmerston North	2000m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr10	Kate Coppins	2:25.0	1:56.6	0.30L	$5.00	19	R48 to R59 MOB. PACE	$11,160	$6,600	1. Rough And Ready 2. Twista 3. The Next Best Thing	Eased,wd rear 1700,prkd 1100,gritty
1st of 5	20/11/25	WaikBoP	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	David Butcher	2:41.9	1:58.4	4.01L	$3.60	21	3YO+ R44 to R55 MOB. PACE	$7,020	$4,400	1. Rough And Ready 2. Dreams Of Eric 3. Desert Dawn	Wd,prkd,into ld 1800,sprinted clear
5th of 8	30/10/25	WaikBoP	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Kate Coppins	1:56.8	1:56.8	1.90L	$8.50	14	3YO+ R43 to R50, R51 to R55 with cond. MOB. PACE	$7,440	$140	1. Dreams Of Eric 2. Proviseur 3. Barbarossa	Eased,wd cvr rear 400,closed boldly
4th of 8	16/10/25	WaikBoP	2700m	Standing	All Weather	10m1	David Butcher	2:02.8	2:02.8	2.60L	$8.40	7	R50 to R63 DiscrHcp PACE	$7,440	$480	1. Twista 2. Joes Rock 3. Lincoln La Moose	5th inr,5-bk,off,prkd 1550,bttld on

American Me (25m 1) 06377
Trainer: Brent & Tim White (Ashburton Raceway)
Driver: Sarah O'Reilly
Prize Money: $399,987
Win / Place: 14% / 44%

9 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: American Ideal

Dam: Bella Me

Dam's Sire: Presidential Ball

Owners: Merveber Ltd, K F Neville, Brennan 5 Syndicate, B Kouvelis, I R F Mckelvie, J J Jones, T L Rodewald, Scotts Ferry Syndicate

Rating

Stats

Career

111: 16-15-18

Distance

22: 3-3-7

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

12: 0-0-4

1st Up

9: 0-4-1

2nd Up

9: 1-0-2

3rd Up

9: 1-0-2

Mobile

53: 7-8-9

Standing

58: 9-7-9

All-Weather

98: 12-14-16

Slushy

3: 0-0-3

Grass

13: 4-1-2

Left Handed

100: 13-32

Right Handed

11: 3-1

Favourite

15: 6-2-3

2nd Favourite

17: 4-5-4

Best Mile

1:58.60

Driver Stats

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Sliding Blinds]

Comments

Has a strong grass record. Small field could see him return to the winners list.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
7th of 10	4/1/26	Roxburgh	2700m	Standing	All Weather	30m1	Sarah O'Reilly	1:59.2	1:59.2	14.01L	$19	16	R50 to R80 SpecHcp PACE	$24,125	$438	1. Double Jeopardy 2. Always Dreaming 3. Ultimate Cullect	Bk otr,peeld 450,steady
7th of 8	19/12/25	Invcargill	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr7	Sarah O'Reilly	1:58.7	1:58.7	15.02L	$47	12	R70 to R120 SpecHcp PACE	$93,000	$1,750	1. Republican Party 2. The Lazarus Effect 3. Wag Star	Parkd,soon 4pegs,fading 400
3rd of 13	7/12/25	Forbury Pk	2200m	Standing	Grass	40m2	Sarah O'Reilly	1:59.6	1:59.6	1.78L	$16	7	R50 to R80 SpecHcp PACE	$20,350	$1,900	1. Rock Or Bust 2. Hacksaw Ridge 3. American Me	Followd 1x1,angld trn,nice wide
6th of 14	30/11/25	Methven	1609m	Mobile	Grass	Sr10	Sarah O'Reilly	1:55.6	1:55.6	7.99L	$32	19	FFA MOB. PACE	$25,875	$438	1. Esmeralda 2. Misty Blue 3. Pinseeker	7th pegs,4-bk 1200,sound along inr
13th of 15	11/11/25	NZ Metro	3200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr14	Ricky May	1:58.0	1:58.0	57.99L	$133	8	FFA PACE	$1,000,000	$15,000	1. Kingman 2. Leap To Fame 3. Merlin	Chkd,5bk inr,urgd-chkd 700,done
5th of 11	3/11/25	Kaikoura	2400m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Ricky May	1:57.2	1:57.2	6.39L	$44	17	FFA PACE	$98,250	$3,000	1. Merlin 2. Akuta 3. Mo'unga	Led,trld 2000,thru,1-paced inr

Race Review Abbreviations

Brk: Broke, Blkd: Blocked or held up, 1 x 1: One-out, one-back, Prkd: Parked, 3bk otr: 3 back on the outer, 3bk inr: 3 back on the inside, two horses behind the leader, trld: Trailed, Gt spd: Showed gate speed, 3wd: 3-wide postd: Caught wide without cover, Held up: Held up, no gaps or few gaps: If they don't see any clear air in the straight, Inr-mid-wd -position: On the inside, mid = 1-off, wd = 3-wide or wider, flew hm wd: Flew home wide, dashd inr: Sprinted well on the inside, Chkd: Checked, Slow: Slow away at the start, Wltd: Wilted or got tired, Fdd: Faded late, Urgd: driver asking horse for extra effort