Te Akau Ashburton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Thursday 2 April at Ashburton. 

Ashburton: 

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy8, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

2:57 p.m. R6 5 Novelette (3 f Cool Aza Beel – Fiction) – Triston Moodley (a1); she unleashed a powerful finish to win the Maiden 1200 metres going away here on 12 March, also with Moodley aboard. Contesting the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses), she raced solidly prior to her very good course/distance win and looks a top three chance, but a good dose of luck from her wide draw (10) is needed - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65.

2:57 p.m. R6 7 Best Rose (3 f Maurice – Queen’s Legacy) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she held her position finishing sixth when resuming in the Rating 65 1000 metres on 4 March at Riccarton, and ran on strongly down the outside for second in a trial on 23 March at Riccarton. Also lining up in the Pearl Series Rating 65 Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses), she has weight relief to 55kg, is a capable filly and shapes to race well with a decent trip from barrier nine, right beside her stablemate! Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

4:07 p.m. R8 6 Trobriand (5 g Kermadec – Arboreal) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he let rip with a powerful finish in the fastest last 600m (34.7) on the day to win the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 28 February at Wingatui, and has since jogged up to lead inside the 200m before drawing away for a comfortable trial win on 23 March at Riccarton. Contesting the $25,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres, he is another who will appreciate the in-form apprentice engagement which provides weight relief to 54kg, and he’s one that is ideally drawn (5) to be a top three chance to repeat his last performance. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.70.

4:38 p.m. R9 9 Purple Prose (4 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – Courtney Barnes; he was pushed up to travel handily and fought well for a close fourth in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 28 February at Wingatui. He has been patiently handled and given time (33 days), and takes on the $18,500 Rating 65 1600 metres, bringing right form to be competitive. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.90.

Main picture - Novelette winning on course