Ascot Park Race 8

MARK THOMPSON MEMORIAL DUNEDIN CUP HEATS PBD

Prize Money: $5,227

MAX EFFORT (3) finished in the minors last start over the 390m at this track but ran a speedy 22.56 last start. Was surprisingly beaten last start when well in the market. Has the ability and expected to go close again. BIG DIVOT (4) is better than last start when fifth (17.54) in a Class 4 at Addington over 295m. Form at this distance is sound. Has the ability to give this a shake. MITCHAM BLAKE (2) has shown decent speed at his last couple and filled minor placings, last time finishing third beaten 4.5 lengths (22.63). Bold showing expected. STRASBURG (7) should be thereabouts despite an unplaced run here most recently. Odds will be appealing.

Distance: 390m
Class: C5q
Track: Good
Weather: Overcast
Surface: All Weather

Mitcham Blake (2) 14433
Trainer: Jonathan McInerney (Darfield)
Prize Money: $47,873
Win / Place: 17% / 61%

3 yo Black D

Sire: Eminent Reality

Dam: Flower Bomb

Rating

Stats

Career

70: 12-16-15

Track

45: 11-13-7

Trk/Dst

37: 7-12-6

Distance

37: 7-12-6

Season

34: 5-10-5

Country

70: 12-16-15

1st Up

2: 0-1-0

2nd Up

2: 0-1-1

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
8	4	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	5	35	7	10	6	4	1	2
1st	2	7	0	3	0	0	0	0
2nd	1	8	2	2	2	0	0	1
3rd	1	7	1	3	1	1	0	1

Comments

Hit the frame latest (22.63) when third at this track in a Class 5. Has seven wins and 15 placings from 35 starts from the draw. Right in this.

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
3rd of 7	8/4/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	2	0:22.63	62.0 km/h	4.50L	$12	0:22.31	22.28	C5	$4,170	$625	8	1. Homebush Khan 2. Max Effort 3. Mitcham Blake
3rd of 7	31/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	2	0:23.00	61.0 km/h	3.10L	$9.00	0:22.78	22.61	C5	$4,200	$630	6	1. Homebush Khan 2. Wingatui Wizard 3. Mitcham Blake
4th of 6	25/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	2	0:22.61	62.1 km/h	4.60L	$11	0:22.29	22.18	C5	$4,200	$273	7	1. Sideline Sam 2. Paw Maven 3. Max Effort
4th of 7	18/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	2	0:22.95	61.2 km/h	5.30L	$3.00	0:22.58	22.58	C4/5	$3,950	$273	7	1. Happy Nice Day 2. Sideline Sam 3. Homebush Diva
1st of 5	11/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	4	0:22.52	62.3 km/h	0.50L	$4.50	0:22.52	22.46	C5	$4,030	$2,420	7	1. Mitcham Blake 2. Happy Nice Day 3. Ripslinger Rory
3rd of 7	4/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	2	0:22.73	61.8 km/h	1.50L	$2.80	0:22.62	22.53	C5	$4,030	$605	7	1. Sideline Sam 2. Homebush Khan 3. Mitcham Blake

Max Effort (3) 31322
Trainer: G A Cleeve (Rangiora)
Prize Money: $47,382
Win / Place: 27% / 70%

3 yo Fawn D

Sire: Fernando Bale

Dam: Pearls Are Us

100

Rating

Stats

Career

48: 13-13-8

Track

5: 0-2-1

Trk/Dst

4: 0-2-1

Distance

4: 0-2-1

Season

33: 11-7-6

Country

48: 13-13-8

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
11	0	2	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	2	8	9	4	3	11	10	1
1st	0	3	3	0	1	4	2	0
2nd	1	0	3	2	0	3	3	1
3rd	0	2	1	0	0	3	2	0

Comments

Was among the placegetters latest at this track when a 3.5 lengths second but did clock a solid 22.56 over the 390m trip. Big 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
2nd of 7	8/4/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	4	0:22.56	62.2 km/h	3.50L	$1.90	0:22.31	22.28	C5	$4,170	$1,041	6	1. Homebush Khan 2. Max Effort 3. Mitcham Blake
2nd of 7	2/4/26	Manawatu	375m	3	0:21.08	64.0 km/h	3.30L	$3.00	0:20.85	20.85	C5	$3,920	$979	8	1. Hendrix Ruler 2. Max Effort 3. Opawa Simpson
3rd of 6	25/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	3	0:22.52	62.3 km/h	3.30L	$2.90	0:22.29	22.18	C5	$4,200	$630	13	1. Sideline Sam 2. Paw Maven 3. Max Effort
1st of 7	12/3/26	Cambridge	375m	2	0:21.49	62.8 km/h	3.00L	$1.50	0:21.49	20.86	C5	$5,630	$3,378	7	1. Max Effort 2. Durrington 3. Mojito Dreams
3rd of 7	5/3/26	Cambridge	457m	7	0:26.15	62.9 km/h	6.60L	$3.60	0:25.69	25.63	R/Aq	$5,630	$844	7	1. Gotcha Kane 2. Need An Uber 3. Max Effort
1st of 7	26/2/26	Addington	295m	3	0:16.97	62.6 km/h	4.00L	$1.90	0:16.97	16.79	C5	$4,050	$2,431	7	1. Max Effort 2. Everest Sky 3. Wave Dancer

Diamond Ranger (5) 41256
Trainer: D A Roberts (Christchurch)
Prize Money: $93,723
Win / Place: 34% / 81%

4 yo Black D

Sire: Fernando Bale

Dam: Diamond Dazzled

Rating

Stats

Career

83: 29-27-12

Track

32: 13-8-6

Trk/Dst

24: 11-8-3

Distance

24: 11-8-3

Season

32: 7-13-2

Country

83: 29-27-11

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
27	2	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	5	12	14	16	15	11	8	2
1st	2	8	5	7	3	2	1	1
2nd	2	3	4	5	7	4	2	0
3rd	1	0	2	2	4	1	1	1

Comments

Missed the frame latest (23.05) when sixth over 390m at this track in a Class 5. Goes very well from the draw boasting three victories and 11 places from 15 starts. Must respect.

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
6th of 7	8/4/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	7	0:23.05	60.9 km/h	10.60L	$4.60	0:22.31	22.28	C5	$4,170	$136	6	1. Homebush Khan 2. Max Effort 3. Mitcham Blake
5th of 7	2/4/26	Addington	295m	6	0:17.06	62.3 km/h	3.30L	$5.50	0:16.83	16.7	C5	$3,920	$136	7	1. Broadway Gem 2. Cool Friends 3. Rosapenna
2nd of 7	26/3/26	Addington	295m	4	0:16.92	62.8 km/h	1.30L	$4.60	0:16.83	16.83	C5	$3,950	$987	7	1. Cool Friends 2. Diamond Ranger 3. Opawa Baxter
1st of 7	19/3/26	Addington	295m	6	0:17.01	62.4 km/h	2.70L	$1.80	0:17.01	16.47	C4	$3,190	$1,915	7	1. Diamond Ranger 2. Opawa Opie 3. Homebush Nala
4th of 6	12/3/26	Addington	295m	7	0:17.31	61.4 km/h	5.50L	$3.60	0:16.92	16.81	C5	$3,950	$273	7	1. Two Down 2. Homebush Swindle 3. Go Larry
1st of 1	5/3/26	Cambridge	375m	0	0:21.49	62.8 km/h	0.00L	$0.00	0:21.49		Trial	$0	-	-	1. 2. 3.

Opawa Baxter (6) 25333
Trainer: R Wales (Christchurch)
Prize Money: $21,318
Win / Place: 38% / 80%

Unbeaten at the Track

2 yo Brindle D

Sire: Above All

Dam: Opawa Girls Get

Rating

Stats

Career

26: 10-3-8

Track

2: 2-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 1-0-0

Distance

1: 1-0-0

Season

26: 10-3-8

Country

26: 10-3-8

1st Up

1: 0-1-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
9	1	0	0	0

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

Comments

Form has been solid with minor placings at his last three starts. Last time out finished 3rd over 295m at Addington beaten 2.5 lengths (17.05) behind Broadway Gem in a Class 5 on April 9. No easier here and faces a tough task.

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
3rd of 7	9/4/26	Addington	295m	7	0:17.05	62.3 km/h	2.50L	$5.50	0:16.87	16.55	C5	$3,920	$587	7	1. Broadway Gem 2. Keyara 3. Opawa Baxter
3rd of 7	2/4/26	Addington	295m	6	0:17.11	62.1 km/h	5.20L	$5.00	0:16.75	16.7	C5	$3,920	$587	3	1. Two Down 2. Wave Dancer 3. Opawa Baxter
1st of 4	30/3/26	Addington	295m	0	0:16.91	62.8 km/h	0.00L	$0.00	0:16.91		Trial	$0	-	-	1. 2. 3.
3rd of 7	26/3/26	Addington	295m	7	0:16.99	62.5 km/h	2.30L	$11	0:16.83	16.83	C5	$3,950	$592	7	1. Cool Friends 2. Diamond Ranger 3. Opawa Baxter
5th of 7	19/3/26	Addington	295m	6	0:16.98	62.5 km/h	3.70L	$16	0:16.72	16.47	C5	$3,950	$136	7	1. Dingo Night 2. Paw Maven 3. Sugar Fix
2nd of 5	12/3/26	Addington	295m	7	0:16.95	62.7 km/h	2.00L	$13	0:16.81	16.81	C5	$3,950	$987	7	1. Opawa Mocha 2. Opawa Baxter 3. Claws In Brick

Strasburg (7) 12855
Trainer: Leaha Washington (Christchurch)
Prize Money: $12,418
Win / Place: 40% / 60%

2 yo Black D

Sire: Koblenz

Dam: Angel Birdie

Rating

Stats

Career

15: 6-2-1

Track

3: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

2: 1-0-0

Distance

2: 1-0-0

Season

15: 6-2-1

Country

15: 6-2-1

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

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

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

Comments

Hasn't been that impressive recently but he has solid credentials over this track and distance. Well placed and among the chances here.

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
5th of 7	31/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	5	0:23.22	60.5 km/h	6.30L	$5.00	0:22.78	22.61	C5	$4,200	$136	6	1. Homebush Khan 2. Wingatui Wizard 3. Mitcham Blake
5th of 7	25/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	457m	1	0:26.18	62.8 km/h	9.30L	$20	0:25.53	25.53	C5	$5,880	$136	13	1. Jerry Cola 2. Yuki 3. Twisted Truth
8th of 8	12/3/26	Cambridge	457m	5	0:26.84	61.3 km/h	17.40L	$19	0:25.62	25.61	R/Af	$42,020	$545	7	1. Yuki 2. Opawa Fannin 3. Run The Gauntlet
2nd of 8	5/3/26	Cambridge	457m	7	0:25.97	63.4 km/h	1.40L	$11	0:25.87	25.63	R/Aq	$5,630	$1,407	4	1. Opawa Fannin 2. Strasburg 3. Sweet Bonanza
1st of 7	1/3/26	Cambridge	375m	4	0:21.23	63.6 km/h	4.10L	$1.90	0:21.23	21.23	C4	$3,190	$1,915	3	1. Strasburg 2. Mocha To Go 3. Aldebaran
3rd of 7	26/2/26	Cambridge	375m	5	0:21.72	62.2 km/h	6.60L	$2.00	0:21.26	21.21	C3/4	$3,280	$491	7	1. Skeletor 2. Papa Kiwi 3. Strasburg

Sideline Sam (8) 42165
Trainer: Jonathan McInerney (Darfield)
Prize Money: $38,755
Win / Place: 29% / 58%

2 yo Black D

Sire: Zulu Zeus

Dam: Sideline Sally

Rating

Stats

Career

51: 15-12-3

Track

37: 9-8-2

Trk/Dst

31: 8-5-2

Distance

31: 8-5-2

Season

30: 7-5-1

Country

51: 15-12-3

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Winning Distances
<400	400+	500+	600+	700+
14	1	0	0	0

Box History	1	2	4	5	6	7	8
STARTS	1	1	1	2	5	20	21
1st	0	1	0	1	4	5	4
2nd	1	0	1	0	0	4	6
3rd	0	0	0	1	0	2	0

Comments

Last start finished fifth in a Class 5 on April 8 over 390m at this track behind Homebush Khan, beaten 9 lengths (22.96). Others preferred on this occasion.

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
5th of 7	8/4/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	8	0:22.96	61.1 km/h	9.30L	$17	0:22.31	22.28	C5	$4,170	$136	8	1. Homebush Khan 2. Max Effort 3. Mitcham Blake
6th of 7	31/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	8	0:23.49	59.8 km/h	10.10L	$4.80	0:22.78	22.61	C5	$4,200	$136	6	1. Homebush Khan 2. Wingatui Wizard 3. Mitcham Blake
1st of 6	25/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	8	0:22.29	63.0 km/h	1.50L	$21	0:22.29	22.18	C5	$4,200	$2,521	7	1. Sideline Sam 2. Paw Maven 3. Max Effort
2nd of 7	18/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	7	0:22.62	62.1 km/h	0.50L	$5.50	0:22.58	22.58	C4/5	$3,950	$987	7	1. Happy Nice Day 2. Sideline Sam 3. Homebush Diva
4th of 5	11/3/26	Ascot Park Nz	390m	7	0:22.61	62.1 km/h	1.30L	$4.80	0:22.52	22.46	C5	$4,030	$273	5	1. Mitcham Blake 2. Happy Nice Day 3. Ripslinger Rory
1st of 6	6/3/26	Addington	295m	7	0:16.94	62.7 km/h	2.00L	$5.00	0:16.94	16.92	C5	$3,950	$2,369	2	1. Sideline Sam 2. Homebush Alfie 3. Mister Efficient