Baltic Star is Coppins' "top pick" at Manawatu today

By Jordyn Bublitz 

Kate Coppins heads to Palmerston North today with four drives across the five-race programme starting at 5.12pm.

The talented junior driver has prospered with increased opportunities in 2026, with 15 wins from 102 drives.

“It’s bloody good. It definitely gets my confidence up, the more I drive the more confident I am out on the track.”

Her afternoon begins in Race 2 with Clap For The Wolfman for trainer Michael House.

“Clap For The Wolfman will definitely need a bit of luck, but hopefully things go our way.”

From there, her book strengthens through the middle of the card, with Coppins identifying a couple of key chances.

Upton, trained locally by Tracy Cadwallader, shapes as one of her better prospects in Race 3.

“She’s drawn nice and handy and seems to have been racing reasonably well in the fields that she’s been in, so I think she’ll be a top three chance.”

She backs that up in Race 4 behind Mr Miki for Brendon Laidlaw, a horse she believes is well-placed coming out of stronger northern form.

“Brendon’s one Mr Miki has a good shot too. He’s been racing better horses on Auckland form, and he’s definitely not the worst horse in this field.”

Coppins saves what she considers her leading chance for the last, partnering Baltic Star for Michael House, with the mare’s recent effort giving her confidence despite a slightly awkward draw.

“Baltic Star will probably need to be handy with a bit of luck from barrier five, but she is a good enough horse to run them down.

“She’s probably my top pick from my drives, she went really good her last start when Wilson drove her. Mr Miki would definitely be my second pick with his form coming from Auckland.”

While she does her homework ahead of each meeting, Coppins is mindful of how quickly races can change once the mobile leaves.

“I always have a look at the fields so I have a rough idea of what could go down, but I tend to wing it from the mobile and see where I end up. Just drive what’s in front of me.”

With multiple genuine chances across the card, Coppins is keeping her expectations realistic. 

“I would really like to get a couple of winners, but I reckon if all of mine could run in the top five I’d be pretty happy.”