Te Akau Shark Sharp Ahead of Coupland's

The Informant reports:

Te Akau Shark will line up as the shortest priced favourite of New Zealand Cup week and everything is in place for him to justify the odds in Wednesday's $230,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile.

Described yesterday by one pundit as “one of Australasia's most exciting gallopers”, the Jamie Richards-trained four-year-old has tightened further since the release of the field for the Group Two feature to now be at $1.50 on the TAB's final field market. The only other runner at single-figure odds is fellow Matamata visitor Livin On A Prayer, who closed late for second in yesterday's 1000-metre Yesberb Insurance Pegasus Stakes.

The field for the 14^th edition of the Coupland's Bakeries Mile has a familiar ring to it, with last year's deadheaters Son Of Maher and Shadows Cast as well as third placegetter Boots 'N' All also in the line-up.

But there's only one horse that most punters are interested in, and Richards reports that everything is in place for Te Akau Shark to continue in the same form that has already produced two stunning wins this spring.

“He did some nice work yesterday and he looked a happy horse cantering around this morning,” Richards told The Informant from his temporary Riccarton base. “Everything has gone to plan and even though his races have been well spaced, we've been able to keep the work up to him in between times.”

Richards has no qualms about Wednesday's 1600 metres, which Te Akau Shark has attempted just once previously for fourth as an immature horse in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas 12 months ago.

“He's bred to go two miles and the way he relaxes and gets home suggests he'll love the 1600 metres.”

An open mind is being kept on whether stablemate Swing Note will be an acceptor for next Saturday's 3200-metre Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup.

After wins in three of her four previous starts, the Encosta de Lago mare finished fourth, more than four lengths behind Cup lightweight Dee And Gee, in yesterday's 2500-metre Redwood Metropolitan Trophy.

“It was an okay run,” Richards said, “but we'll see how she is over the next couple of days and then we'll have a talk about it and decide maybe Tuesday or Wednesday whether to pay up.”

Swing Note has a current quote of $12 on a Cup market headed by last-start Trentham winner High Spirits at $5. Early favourite Felaar, runner-up in the Metropolitan Trophy, is now at $6, while Dee And Gee has tightened to $21.