Te Akau Bendigo Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Wednesday 12 August at Bendigo (Victoria).      

Bendigo:

Weather: showers, track: Heavy10, rail: true. Showers forecast. 

3:00 p.m. (NZ) - 1:00 p.m. (Vic) R1 3 Gold Chalice (3 c Snitzel – Harlow Gold) – Michael Dee; he has been freshened since being overhauled right near the line to finish third on Heavy9 footing when debuting in the Maiden 2YO 1125 metres on 19 June at Geelong, and contests the A$42,500 Maiden 3YO Colts & Geldings 1000 metres. By four-time Champion Sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), his dam Harlow Gold (Tavistock) was dual winner to 1600 metres and was Group One placed in both the VRC Oaks (2500m) and Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) - the latter won this year by Te Akau trained Belle Cheval. He rates a top three chance working well heading into the race, only question will be the track conditions. NZ TAB fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.15.

3:35 p.m. (NZ) - 1:35 p.m. (Vic) R2 3 I Am Aria (3 f I Am Invincible – Talaria) – Michael Dee; she looked good finishing first and second, respectively, in recent jump outs at Cranbourne, and resumes in the A$42,500 Maiden 3YO Fillies 1000 metres. She debuted with a terrific effort for second in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1000m), fought hard for third in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m), and has to be a serious contender for line honours if not undone by the heavy going. NZ TAB fixed odds: $1.95 & $1.15.

5:20 p.m. (NZ) 3:20 p.m. (Vic) R5 6 Royal Rendezvous (4 g Royal Meeting – Alana’s Party) – Lachlan Neindorf; he looked very good winning a jump out after steadying back from an outside gate on 3 August at Cranbourne, also with Neindorf aboard, and resumes in the A$35,000 Benchmark 66 1000 metres. He powered home to win over 1000 metres on debut likewise with Neindorf aboard who knows him well. He is a half-brother to four-time stakes’ winning stable-mate Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), and rates a top three chance if appreciative of the conditions. NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.65.

6:30 p.m. (NZ) - 4:30 p.m. (Vic) R7 13 Lyrics ‘N’ Song (4 m Written Tycoon – Melody Belle) – Michael Dee; she circled widest with a strong performance to easily win a jump out on 3 August at Cranbourne, and resumes in the A$35,000 Benchmark 66 1300 metres. She has been good in all four of her starts to date, including a win and also a third placing in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m). She is the first foal out of the Te Akau bought and trained dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), who still holds the NZ record of 14 Group One wins, and her daughter has top three claims. TAB fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.05.   

Main picture - Lyrics 'N' Song winning