Huge Champion's Day Trans-Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 15 horses entered on Saturday 8 March: Ellerslie and New Plymouth In New Zealand, and one horse entered at Flemington, Melbourne.

Ellerslie:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:15 p.m. R1 5 Francee (5 m Iffraaj – Calveen) – Craig Grylls; she found line solidly for fifth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 7 February at Tauranga, and contests the $120,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final Rating 72 Fillies & Mares 1400m (eligible for $26,000 bonuses). Good course and distance record, ability to match rivals but requires luck from wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.00.

12:55 p.m. R2 6 Shockabella (3 f Shocking – My Isabella) – Blake Shinn; she crossed to lead and sustained strong gallop to win the Maiden 1800 metres on 26 February at Taupo. Up in class for the $250,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m), new to game and still learning, but has ability and warrants opportunity in even field. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.05. 

2:13 p.m. R4 1 Return To Conquer (2 c Snitzel – Vaujany) – Blake Shinn; he recorded his third stakes win on end in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 15 February at Matamata, and contests the $550,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). He won the Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) with authority here on 1 February, unbeaten in three starts, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.45 & $1.30.

2:13 p.m. R4 2 He Who Dares (2 c Snitzel – Rondinella) – Craig Grylls; he quickened clear to win on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 20 January at Wanganui, and pushed Return To Conquer (above) when finishing second in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 15 February at Matamata, each with Grylls aboard. He rates a top three chance in the $550,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.70.

2:13 p.m. R4 10 Marokopa Falls (2 f Hellbent – Beside You) – Liam Riordan; she finished fourth to La Dorada (above) in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 15 February at Matamata, and contests the $550,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). Blinkers on, ideally drawn (3), but faces tough field. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.80.

2:47 p.m. R5 3 Campionessa (7 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Michael Dee; she has been freshened since the Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m) on 11 January at Trentham, kept going solidly in the straight for third in the Group & Listed trial on 26 February at Taupo, and contests the $600,000 HKJC World Pool New Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). A Group One winner and quadruple Group Two winner, over $1.3 million in prize money, and ideally drawn (4) to race well. Fixed odds: $20.00 & $4.20.

3:22 p.m. R6 5 Midnight Blue (8 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Ryan Elliot; he produced very good effort for fourth in the Avondale Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) here on 22 February, with Elliot aboard, and contests the $1m Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m). Seven wins from 1600m – 2400m, including Perth Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) and Seymour Cup (Listed, 1600m), in great form of late, but far tougher assignment at Group One level. Fixed odds: $35.00 & $5.00. 

3:22 p.m. R6 8 Qali Al Farrasha (4 m Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Blake Shinn; she brings tremendous form: beaten a half-head in the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 11 January at Trentham, and finished second in the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) here on 22 February. A very genuine and talented mare, proving herself among the best at Group One level, and should receive all favours from barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $1.75.

3:56 p.m. R7 14 I’m A Dirty Rascal (7 g Galileo – Remember When, by Danehill Dancer) – Craig Grylls; he was doing best work through line in the Open Handicap 2200 metres here on 1 February, similar in the Group & Listed trial on 26 February at Taupo, and contests the $600,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m). A genuine staying horse, set for the race, and appears capable of a bold performance. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $8.00.

4:32 p.m. R8 8 Damask Rose (3 f Savabeel – Sombreuil) – Blake Shinn; she launched an undeniable finish to win going away in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) here on 25 January, with Shinn aboard, and quickened through near rail over concluding stages to win the Group & Listed trial on 26 February at Taupo. Contesting the $3.5m NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m), fills slot owned by Te Akau Racing, classy and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.50.

5:07 p.m. R9 6 Hakkinen (3 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Blake Shinn; he closed boldly from last in fastest last 600m (36.3) for fourth in the Gingernuts Salver (Listed, 2100m) here on 12 January, and finished fourth after an economical trip in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) here on 22 February. Contesting the $1.25m Trackside NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), going well and ideally drawn (2) to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.10.

5:42 p.m. R10 2 Class (3 g Embellish – Opulent) – Blake Shinn; he dominated in front before being claimed late to finish third in the Karapiro Classic (Special Conditions, 1600m) on 8 February at Te Rapa, and contests the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m). Competitive in good fields throughout the season and ideally drawn (3) to continue the trend as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.85.   

New Plymouth:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 6.5 metres from winning post to 400m and out 4 metres from 400m to winning post. No rain forecast.

2:27 p.m. R4 1 When Stars Align (3 c Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Jonathan Riddell; he spelled in November following the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), and sustained good gallop in the Group & Listed trial on 26 February at Taupo, won by stable-mate Damask Rose (above). Resuming in the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres, did well finishing third in the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), debut winner over 1100 metres, and drawn the ace. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.70.

3:39 p.m. R6 3 Balance Of Power (4 g Almanzor – Respin) – Jonathan Riddell; he made it two wins from last three starts when stretching out with plenty of conviction in the $40,000 Rating 75 2000 metres on 15 February at Matamata, and remains in same grade for the corresponding event. Up 2.5kg to carry 58.5kg, but handily drawn (5), racing in great form, and rates top three. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.55.

4:49 p.m. R8 8 Inspired By Art (4 m So You Think – La Bella Delicia) – Harry Grace; she found line strongly from handy position for third when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 8 February at Te Rapa, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Capable mare, she rates top four in even field. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.35.   

Flemington:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 5 metres. No rain forecast.

6:10 p.m. (NZ)  4:10 p.m. (Vic) R8 3 Captured By Love (3 f Written Tycoon – Moldova) – Jamie Melham; she fought well for fourth after racing outside leader on rain-affected Soft7 footing in the Desirable Stakes (Listed, 1400m) here on 15 February, and contests the $300,000 TAB & World Pool Kewney Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) for Three-Year-Old Fillies. She recorded classy 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) victory in November at Riccarton, high quality multiple Group winning filly, at best on genuine footing, and drawn the ace. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $3.50.