We will have Herbie Dyke betting tips when markets are released.

The Herbie Dyke Stakes, formerly known as the New Zealand International Stakes, is a Group 1 in New Zealand and it runs for a big stake of $400,000, making it the richest weight-for-age race in NZ. 

Held at Te Rapa in Hamilton, the Herbie Dyke Stakes winners’ list features some of New Zealand’s premier thoroughbreds from years gone by. Names such as Bonecrusher, The Phantom Chance and La Mer have all won the feature. 

All-in odds for the Herbie Dyke Stakes are released around a month in advance but the final field is confirmed a few days before the race. 

We will have all the latest odds when markets are released by bookmakers.

First run in 1970 as the New Zealand International Stakes, the Herbie Dyke Stakes has long been one of the NZ’s top weight-for-age races and that was acknowledged in 2017 when the purse was increased to $400,000. 

It was called the International Stakes because the Waikato Racing Club invited overseas jockeys to ride in the race. Champion UK rider Lestor Piggot scored a win in 1972 aboard Sailing Home. 

It was run every two years at that stage but became a regular fixture on the NZ Racing calendar in 1978. 

Many of the past winners have competed overseas, including Australian Group 1 winners Sangster and Volkstok’n’Barrell. 

The most popular victory came in 2007 when the “people’s champion” Sir Slick was victorious.

The field contains the best weight-for-age runners in New Zealand. Due to the conditions, the field contains both top older horses combined with the younger rising stars of the New Zealand turf. 

We will have the confirmed field when it’s released by the NZTR.

It takes a good horse to win the Herbie Dyke Stakes as history has shown. Top WFA horses Volkstok’n’Barrell, Soriano and Sangster have all taken out the Herbie Dyke Stakes. 

It pays to look at the form of the older horses. They have a great record in the Herbie Dyke Stakes and although the light-weight horses might have more appeal, you need a battle-tested thoroughbred to take out this Group 1. 

The 2000m distance also makes it an interesting betting race as many of the three-year-old runners are stepping up in distance to potentially run in the New Zealand Derby a month later.