Waikato, New Zealand
Te Rapa racecourse guide
Te Rapa is the principal racecourse of the Waikato, a region central to New Zealand’s breeding and training industry.
Fat Tony’sTrack fileHistory, big days & form
Know the course
A little history of Te Rapa
Waikato racing moved from Claudelands to Te Rapa in 1924. The venue developed into a reliable year-round course and remains the main racing base of Waikato Thoroughbred Racing.
What to look for in the form
Te Rapa hosts racing through the seasons, so compare runners on the expected going and over similar distances rather than relying on one raw finishing position.
Fat Tony says: Track knowledge helps, but it never replaces current form. Compare today’s distance, surface, draw and likely pace before making a call.
Put these in the diary
Major race days at Te Rapa
Waikato Cup Day
Legends Day
Foxbridge Plate Day
Great Northern Day
Form & results
Latest Te Rapa races
LISTEN LIVE @ SPORTNATION.NZ MDN HURDLE13 Jun 2026 · Race 1 · 2800FAIRVIEW MOTORS WAIKATO HURDLE13 Jun 2026 · Race 2 · 3200RDA CHARITY RACEDAY @ CAMBRIDGE WEDNESDAY MDN13 Jun 2026 · Race 3 · 1400ANDREW (LEDGE) LEADBEATER MEMORIAL13 Jun 2026 · Race 4 · 1300KEN & ROGER BROWNE MEMORIAL MDN STEEPLECHASE13 Jun 2026 · Race 5 · 3900SIGNATURE HOMES WAIKATO STEEPLECHASE13 Jun 2026 · Race 6 · 3900WTR THANKS THE CASTLES FAMILY 240013 Jun 2026 · Race 7 · 2400THANKS BERNARD KNEEBONE - 25 YRS ON THE CLOCK HCP13 Jun 2026 · Race 8 · 1200WAIKATO STUD FOXBRIDGE PLATE 22/8 MILE HCP13 Jun 2026 · Race 9 · 1600SEE YOU @ TE RAPA TAVERN 140013 Jun 2026 · Race 10 · 1400Race 124 May 2026 · Race 1Race 224 May 2026 · Race 2Race 324 May 2026 · Race 3Race 424 May 2026 · Race 4Race 524 May 2026 · Race 5Race 624 May 2026 · Race 6Race 724 May 2026 · Race 7Race 824 May 2026 · Race 8CHAMPION FREIGHT 21002 May 2026 · Race 1 · 2100DIRECT FATS & OILS MAIDEN 12002 May 2026 · Race 2 · 1200
Read the race properly
Build better track context
Learn how distance, going, barriers and recent runs work together before you ask Fat Tony for his opinion.