Invercargill Race 8

TOP CLASS DASH PBD

Stake: $4,800

PAW MAVEN (4) had been racing well with a Class 4 win three back then placed next time before missing the frame latest at Manukau. Raced in a top field last start up north and wasn't disgraced. Will appreciate a return to this venue and against this field. SMOKING IVAN (2) was midfield throughout and finished there last time when 4th at Manukau. Form here at this distance is sound. Usually a quick beginner and is hard to pass when on the lure. Can do much better this time. DIAMOND PRINCE (5) is progressing well scoring last time out (22.66) at this track and bringing up his 6th career win. Recorded the quickest time on the card last start. Rises in quality today but is still a significant danger. PAW XIAN (6) was below best last time at Manukau (19.11) in a Invitations, finishing a 6 length fourth. Has already won five times from this draw and never been out of the money on this track.

Distance: 390m
Class: C5
Track: Good
Weather: FINE
Surface: All Weather

Trackside Tips:

Andy McCook Selects: 6. Paw Xian, 4. Paw Maven, 2. Smoking Ivan, 3. Mitcham Blake

Smoking Ivan (2) 12334
Trainer: M Roberts & J Johnson (Christchurch)
Prize Money: $114,295
Win / Place: 23% / 62%

4 yo Black and White D

Sire: Fernando Bale

Dam: Quistis Bale

Owners: P Clausen

Rating

Stats

Career

126: 30-23-26

Track

25: 6-8-6

Trk/Dst

12: 5-2-4

Distance

12: 5-2-4

Season

23: 8-4-10

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
25	4	1	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	9	26	22	27	18	8	9	7
1st	1	9	5	9	5	0	0	1
2nd	2	3	4	4	3	3	3	1
3rd	3	5	7	5	2	2	1	1

Comments

Going well prior to missing the frame last start when well-fancied, finishing fourth in over 318m at Manukau. Top chance.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
4th of 5	25/1/26	Manukau	318m	3	N/A	-	3.90L	$2.40		18.04	C4/5	$6,700	$300	7	1. Go Reuben 2. You Turn 3. Hunter Lou
3rd of 7	18/1/26	Manukau	318m	2	0:18.68	61.3 km/h	5.00L	$11	0:18.33	18.33	C5q	$4,700	$705	3	1. Jerry Cola 2. Criminal Minds 3. Smoking Ivan
3rd of 6	15/1/26	Manukau	318m	2	0:19.02	60.2 km/h	4.90L	$1.80	0:18.68	18.43	C5	$4,700	$705	7	1. Portland Coco 2. Kiwi Sea 3. Smoking Ivan
2nd of 7	8/1/26	Addington	295m	6	0:16.99	62.5 km/h	3.30L	$3.30	0:16.76	16.57	C5	$4,700	$1,175	8	1. Gotcha Kane 2. Smoking Ivan 3. Opawa Gordon
1st of 7	31/12/25	Invercargill	390m	4	0:22.43	62.6 km/h	1.80L	$2.30	0:22.43	22.43	C5	$4,700	$2,820	14	1. Smoking Ivan 2. Diamond Ranger 3. Claws In Sparky
1st of 8	17/12/25	Invercargill	390m	3	0:22.44	62.6 km/h	0.80L	$7.20	0:22.44	22.36	SPECf	$10,000	$6,000	6	1. Smoking Ivan 2. Everest Sky 3. Priority

Mitcham Blake (3) 85421
Trainer: Jonathan McInerney (Darfield)
Prize Money: $46,400
Win / Place: 18% / 63%

3 yo Black D

Sire: Eminent Reality

Dam: Flower Bomb

Owners: Cq Syndicate

Rating

Stats

Career

60: 11-16-11

Track

35: 10-13-3

Trk/Dst

27: 6-12-2

Distance

27: 6-12-2

Season

24: 4-10-1

1st Up

2: 0-1-0

2nd Up

2: 0-1-1

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
7	4	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	5	28	5	9	6	4	1	2
1st	2	7	0	2	0	0	0	0
2nd	1	8	2	2	2	0	0	1
3rd	1	4	0	3	1	1	0	1

Comments

Good performance to win by half a length at this track over 390m (22.33) beating Mitcham Arlica in Class 3/4 on January 21. Meets a tougher field today.

Expected Early Speed:Front Runner

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
1st of 7	21/1/26	Invercargill	390m	2	0:22.33	62.9 km/h	0.50L	$1.40	0:22.33	22.33	C3/4	$3,800	$2,280	7	1. Mitcham Blake 2. Mitcham Arlica 3. King Kobori
2nd of 7	14/1/26	Invercargill	390m	2	0:22.63	62.0 km/h	2.00L	$1.80	0:22.49	22.49	C4	$3,800	$950	7	1. Homebush Simba 2. Mitcham Blake 3. Mitcham Arlica
4th of 7	7/1/26	Invercargill	390m	2	0:22.83	61.5 km/h	12.60L	$5.50	0:21.95	21.95	C4/5	$4,700	$300	7	1. Opawa Mocha 2. Happy Nice Day 3. Homebush Alfie
5th of 7	31/12/25	Invercargill	390m	2	0:22.89	61.3 km/h	6.60L	$4.20	0:22.43	22.43	C5	$4,700	$150	14	1. Smoking Ivan 2. Diamond Ranger 3. Claws In Sparky
8th of 8	17/12/25	Invercargill	390m	1	0:23.13	60.7 km/h	9.90L	$8.40	0:22.44	22.36	SPECf	$10,000	$150	14	1. Smoking Ivan 2. Everest Sky 3. Priority
2nd of 7	3/12/25	Invercargill	390m	2	0:22.34	62.8 km/h	7.30L	$7.70	0:21.83	21.83	C5	$4,500	$1,125	7	1. Jerry Cola 2. Mitcham Blake 3. Priority

Paw Maven (4) 62125
Trainer: Craig Roberts (Christchurch)
Prize Money: $34,520
Win / Place: 26% / 68%

3 yo Black D

Sire: Bernardo

Dam: Dyna Garner

Owners: B Wheeler

Rating

Stats

Career

41: 11-10-7

Track

7: 1-2-2

Trk/Dst

7: 1-2-2

Distance

7: 1-2-2

Season

21: 5-7-3

1st Up

3: 1-0-0

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
11	0	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	3	6	8	10	9	3	1	1
1st	0	2	5	3	1	0	0	0
2nd	1	1	0	2	5	1	0	0
3rd	0	1	2	0	2	1	0	1

Comments

Was strongly supported last time but ran below expectations when fifth over 318m at Manukau in 18.42. Expected to go well.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
5th of 8	25/1/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:18.42	62.1 km/h	6.70L	$21	0:17.95	18.04	C5f	$30,000	$400	7	1. Jerry Cola 2. Max Effort 3. Simek
2nd of 7	18/1/26	Manukau	318m	4	0:18.45	62.0 km/h	1.30L	$7.00	0:18.36	18.33	C5q	$4,700	$1,175	10	1. Max Effort 2. Paw Maven 3. Quintessential
1st of 7	8/1/26	Addington	295m	3	0:17.08	62.2 km/h	0.70L	$2.10	0:17.08	16.57	C4	$3,800	$2,280	7	1. Paw Maven 2. Hilton Hustler 3. Own Class
2nd of 7	1/1/26	Addington	295m	4	0:17.04	62.3 km/h	0.50L	$3.10	0:17.00	16.7	C4	$3,800	$950	9	1. One Up 2. Paw Maven 3. Opawa Barns
6th of 7	23/12/25	Addington	295m	4	0:17.58	60.4 km/h	10.90L	$1.00	0:16.82	16.56	C5	$4,700	$150	6	1. Everest Sky 2. Max Effort 3. Claws In Brick
4th of 8	17/12/25	Invercargill	390m	2	0:22.71	61.8 km/h	3.90L	$7.80	0:22.44	22.36	SPECf	$10,000	$530	14	1. Smoking Ivan 2. Everest Sky 3. Priority

Diamond Prince (5) 31121
Trainer: M Roberts & J Johnson (Christchurch)
Prize Money: $14,070
Win / Place: 35% / 70%

2 yo Black D

Sire: Feral Franky

Dam: Diamond Harmony

Owners: Crevyargon Syndicate

100

Rating

Stats

Career

17: 6-1-5

Track

7: 2-0-2

Trk/Dst

4: 1-0-1

Distance

4: 1-0-1

Season

17: 6-1-5

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
5	1	0	0	0

Box History	2	3	4	7	8
STARTS	8	6	1	1	1
1st	3	3	0	0	0
2nd	0	0	1	0	0
3rd	3	1	0	0	1

Comments

Good win last start as odds-on favourite by a nose over 390m at this track in a handy 22.66, beating Mitcham Arlica. Worth following up.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
1st of 5	28/1/26	Invercargill	390m	3	0:22.66	62.0 km/h	0.10L	$2.00	0:22.66	22.66	C4	$3,800	$2,280	13	1. Diamond Prince 2. Mitcham Arlica 3. Marty Baxter
2nd of 7	15/1/26	Addington	295m	4	0:17.12	62.0 km/h	1.30L	$13	0:17.03	16.79	C4	$3,800	$950	7	1. Two Down 2. Diamond Prince 3. Gotcha Hide
1st of 7	8/1/26	Addington	295m	2	0:17.04	62.3 km/h	4.70L	$3.70	0:17.04	16.57	C3	$3,500	$2,100	6	1. Diamond Prince 2. Hilton Cookie 3. Gotcha Jai
1st of 7	2/1/26	Addington	295m	2	0:17.04	62.3 km/h	0.20L	$2.80	0:17.04	16.93	C2	$3,300	$1,980	2	1. Diamond Prince 2. Spot The Angel 3. Opawa Izzy
3rd of 7	31/12/25	Invercargill	390m	2	0:22.64	62.0 km/h	3.00L	$3.10	0:22.43	22.43	C2	$3,300	$495	12	1. Mitcham Crichton 2. Where's Wally 3. Diamond Prince
4th of 7	19/12/25	Addington	295m	2	0:17.32	61.3 km/h	6.30L	$2.80	0:16.88	16.58	C2	$3,300	$250	7	1. Opawa Baxter 2. Mitcham Crichton 3. Go Flyer

Paw Xian (6) 23344
Trainer: Craig Roberts (Christchurch)
Prize Money: $43,220
Win / Place: 36% / 75%

3 yo Black D

Sire: Bernardo

Dam: Faithy Bale

Owners: B Wheeler

Rating

Stats

Career

33: 12-10-3

Track

9: 4-4-1

Trk/Dst

2: 1-1-0

Distance

2: 1-1-0

Season

22: 9-5-3

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
8	3	1	0	0

Box History	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	1	2	2	7	11	7	3
1st	1	1	0	2	5	2	1
2nd	0	1	1	4	2	2	0
3rd	0	0	1	0	0	2	0

Comments

Hasn't been that impressive recently but he has solid credentials over this track and distance. Look for improvement. Danger with even luck.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
4th of 7	25/1/26	Manukau	318m	5	0:19.11	59.9 km/h	6.60L	$8.50	0:18.65	18.04	INV	$8,000	$350	7	1. Everest Sky 2. Blitz Attack 3. Fire Warning
4th of 6	18/1/26	Manukau	318m	6	0:18.82	60.8 km/h	3.80L	$19	0:18.55	18.33	C5q	$4,700	$300	26	1. Portland Coco 2. Opawa Jimmy 3. Blitz Attack
3rd of 7	23/12/25	Addington	295m	7	0:17.30	61.4 km/h	8.00L	$1.00	0:16.74	16.56	C5	$4,700	$705	6	1. Opawa Mocha 2. Diamond Ranger 3. Paw Xian
3rd of 8	17/12/25	Invercargill	457m	4	0:25.82	63.7 km/h	1.80L	$7.60	0:25.69	25.69	C5f	$20,000	$3,000	9	1. Jerry Cola 2. Original Warrior 3. Paw Xian
2nd of 6	8/12/25	Invercargill	457m	7	0:25.78	63.8 km/h	2.00L	$1.00	0:25.64	25.64	C5q	$6,700	$1,675	5	1. Jerry Cola 2. Paw Xian 3. Paw Gunner
2nd of 8	3/12/25	Invercargill	457m	6	0:25.72	64.0 km/h	0.20L	$3.80	0:25.71	25.71	C5	$6,400	$1,600	7	1. Original Warrior 2. Paw Xian 3. Paw Earnest

Homebush Alfie (7) 56735
Trainer: Jonathan McInerney (Darfield)
Prize Money: $23,210
Win / Place: 22% / 47%

2 yo Black D

Sire: Moreira

Dam: Lady Sobers

Owners: Wild South Syndicate

Rating

Stats

Career

36: 8-4-5

Track

21: 7-2-3

Trk/Dst

20: 7-2-3

Distance

20: 7-2-3

Season

25: 3-3-3

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
8	0	0	0	0

Box History	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	2	2	5	9	9	7	2
1st	0	1	2	3	1	1	0
2nd	0	0	3	1	0	0	0
3rd	0	1	0	1	2	1	0

Comments

Missed the frame last time but the start prior clocked a solid 22.64 over 390m finishing third at this track. Not far from winner last time but has the job ahead here.

Expected Early Speed:Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
5th of 5	15/1/26	Addington	295m	7	0:17.42	61.0 km/h	5.20L	$51	0:17.06	16.79	C5	$4,700	$150	8	1. Gotcha Luck 2. One Up 3. Opawa Weatherley
3rd of 7	7/1/26	Invercargill	390m	6	0:22.64	62.0 km/h	9.80L	$26	0:21.95	21.95	C4/5	$4,700	$705	7	1. Opawa Mocha 2. Happy Nice Day 3. Homebush Alfie
7th of 7	31/12/25	Invercargill	390m	8	0:23.19	60.5 km/h	10.90L	$20	0:22.43	22.43	C5	$4,700	$150	14	1. Smoking Ivan 2. Diamond Ranger 3. Claws In Sparky
6th of 8	17/12/25	Invercargill	390m	6	0:23.03	61.0 km/h	8.40L	$77	0:22.44	22.36	SPECf	$10,000	$150	6	1. Smoking Ivan 2. Everest Sky 3. Priority
5th of 7	11/12/25	Addington	295m	5	0:17.50	60.7 km/h	7.70L	$4.90	0:16.96	16.53	C4	$3,800	$150	3	1. Homebush Postie 2. Diamond Emma 3. Mitcham Julian
1st of 7	8/12/25	Invercargill	390m	4	0:22.62	62.1 km/h	1.00L	$1.00	0:22.62	22.12	C4	$3,800	$2,280	4	1. Homebush Alfie 2. Claws In Brick 3. One Up

Dream Ahead (8) 15714
Trainer: D A Roberts (Christchurch)
Prize Money: $15,660
Win / Place: 35% / 50%

2 yo Brindle D

Sire: Good Odds Harada

Dam: Ophelia Allen

Owners: D A Roberts

Rating

Stats

Career

20: 7-3-0

Track

8: 1-2-0

Trk/Dst

5: 0-2-0

Distance

5: 0-2-0

Season

18: 6-2-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
6	1	0	0	0

Box History	4	6	7	8
STARTS	2	1	6	11
1st	0	0	2	5
2nd	0	0	1	2
3rd	0	0	0	0

Comments

Could manage only fourth last time but impressed the start prior when he was an eye-catching winner scoring by 4.5 lengths in a Class 4 at Addington and clocking an excellent 17.05 for the 295m trip. Prepared to overlook.

Expected Early Speed:Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Box	Ran	Avg. Speed	Margin	SP	Win Time	BON	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Days	Result
4th of 7	29/1/26	Addington	295m	8	0:17.05	62.3 km/h	5.00L	$11	0:16.70	16.7	C5	$4,700	$300	7	1. Ripslinger Rory 2. Opawa Evans 3. Opawa Chloe
1st of 6	22/1/26	Addington	295m	8	0:17.05	62.3 km/h	4.30L	$2.60	0:17.05	16.98	C4	$3,800	$2,280	7	1. Dream Ahead 2. Claws In Brick 3. Gotcha Hide
7th of 7	15/1/26	Addington	295m	7	0:17.49	60.7 km/h	6.60L	$4.00	0:17.03	16.79	C4	$3,800	$150	7	1. Two Down 2. Diamond Prince 3. Gotcha Hide
5th of 7	8/1/26	Addington	295m	8	0:17.31	61.4 km/h	4.10L	$4.60	0:17.02	16.57	C4	$3,800	$150	16	1. Sugar Fix 2. Homebush Megan 3. Our Sara
1st of 7	23/12/25	Addington	295m	7	0:16.92	62.8 km/h	5.50L	$4.20	0:16.92	16.56	C3	$3,500	$2,100	6	1. Dream Ahead 2. Mercedes Jewel 3. No Show Sam
5th of 6	17/12/25	Invercargill	390m	7	0:22.75	61.7 km/h	3.00L	$7.40	0:22.54	22.36	C4	$3,800	$150	9	1. Impressive Roar 2. Beast Arising 3. Mitcham Julian