Te Akau Trans-Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing on Saturday: Ellerslie, Flemington, and Randwick.

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 16 February the conditions were: fine and Heavy10, rail out 7.5 metres. 1ml rain forecast Saturday.

4.25 p.m. R7 4 Mongolianconqueror (3 g Ocean Park - Queen Rania) - Michael McNab; ran the fastest last 600m (33.7) when mounting a strong finish to just miss winning the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 6 February at Te Rapa, having followed back-to-back wins with a stylish third here in the 3YO 1500 metres on 14 January. Meeting a stronger field in the $100,000 Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), combined with testing conditions, makes for a differing situation but he has worked and trialled well on rain-affected going. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.90.

4.25 p.m. R7 11 Griffin (3 g Iffraaj - Double Elle) - Johnathan Parkes; found the line solidly in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 6 February at Te Rapa, and meets a stronger field in the $100,000 Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m). His brother and stable-mate, Gingernuts, impressed when winning the corresponding event last year, on Slow8, with Parkes aboard, before victory in the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). Whether he can emulate remains to be seen, but terrific to see him in the race and lightning could strike twice. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $7.00.

Footnote: After copping slow footing better than his rivals, Gingernuts paid $31.00 & $5.50 fixed odds and $27.30 & $5.30 on the tote when winning the 2017 Avondale Guineas.

Flemington:

As on Friday 16 February the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail true. No rain forecast.

6.00 p.m. (NZ time) R7 2 Embellish (3 c Savabeel - Bling) - Opie Bosson; should have lost no admirers after finishing second in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed, 1600m) on 27 January at Ellerslie. In preparation for the $750,000 Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 3 March at Flemington, he contests the $150,000 C. S. Hayes Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), from barrier one. He provided Te Akau with their sixth 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November at Riccarton, and has the form to rate a genuine contender. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

Royal Randwick:

As on Friday 16 February the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail true. Showers forecast Saturday morning.

7.45 p.m. (NZ time) R8 2 Melody Belle (3 f Commands - Meleka Belle) - Rory Hutchings; returned to her best with an impressive win on 27 January in the Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Ellerslie. Crowned Champion New Zealand Two-Year-Old for her feats last season, which included winning the BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) in Brisbane, she contests the $200,000 Light Fingers Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). She will require luck from a wide draw (12) in a race where Alizee (Sepoy) currently dominates betting ($1.90). Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.55.