Te Akau BIG Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has 15 horses racing on Saturday 23 January: Ellerslie, and Trentham.

Ellerslie (Karaka Millions twilight):

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

4.26 p.m. R1 1 Need I Say More (3 g No Nay Never - Bo Bardi) - Troy Harris; spelled after the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), galloped well here in an exhibition gallop on 1 January and not extended working home for third when trialling on 12 January at Matamata. The winner of four from six, including three stakes victories, he has the ability to threaten fresh-up from barrier five in the $70,000 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m). Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.25.

5.10 p.m. R2 2 In A Twinkling (5 g Fastnet Rock - Moment in Time) - Troy Harris; defended his title in the Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m) in November at Pukekohe, fought hard for third to two very good mares in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2000m) on Boxing Day, and brave when fourth off a tough trip behind stable-mate Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) here on 1 January in the City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m). Up in weight (61kg), but a real soldier and rates a top three chance in the $100,000 Collinsonforex Karaka Cup (Open, 2200m). Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.

5.50 p.m. R3 5 Star of Bombay (4 m Atlante - Astardia) - Danielle Johnson; reignited here on her favourite course with a smart victory in the Open 1400 metres two starts ago, and valiant finishing second here on Boxing Day in the Open 1400 metres. She faces a stronger field in the $100,000 Westbury Classic (Gr. 2, 1400m), but already competitive at this level.  Fixed odds: $14.00 & $2.80.

6.30 p.m. R4 1 Avonallo (2 c Belardo - Real Angel) - Lisa Allpress; continued improving during his spring campaign at Riccarton, capping two seconds with an authoritative victory in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on 14 November. Improved for his fourth to impressive winning stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) here on 1 January in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), he has the record to be mixing it, with blinkers on, in the $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

6.30 p.m. R4 3 On the Bubbles (2 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles) - Johnathan Parkes; worked at both ends of the race when winning on debut in the Pearl Series 2YO 1100 metres on 19 December at Awapuni, and scintillating off a wide run when winning the 2YO 1200 metres here on 10 January, both with Parkes aboard. Drawn the outside (14) makes it tough in the $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), but two from two from wide gates, so no serious deterrent. Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.85.

6.30 p.m. R4 5 Sophisticardo (2 c Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Troy Harris; recorded a stylish debut win in the 2YO 800 metres in October at Avondale, freshened, and quickened home well without much room behind stable-mate Palamos (Extreme Choice) in the 2YO 1100 metres here on Boxing Day. A natural athlete, he shapes to race well with the addition of side winkers in the $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.

6.30 p.m. R4 5 Sneaky Shark (2 c Capitalist - Hidden Attraction) - Samantha Collett; was beaten a long head after duelling with winning stable-mate and race rival Millefiori (Iffraaj) on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 28 November, and brave finishing third behind stable-mate Palamos (Extreme Choice) after racing outside leader in the 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day, both at Ellerslie. From back, he worked home for fifth, again to Millefiori, in the 2YO 1200 metres on 15 January at Tauranga, and wears visor blinkers in the $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

6.30 p.m. R4 11 Millefiori (2 f Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Danielle Johnson; recorded a terrific debut victory in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres in November at Ellerslie, and made it two from two in the 2YO 1200 metres on 15 January at Tauranga. From the family of Winx (Street Cry), ideally drawn (5), with the addition of side winkers in the $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), she has the credentials to race very well. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.60.

Te Akau is seeking five consecutive wins in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), following Melody Belle (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Probabeel (Savabeel), and Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel).

7.10 p.m. R5 13 Festivity (4 m I Am Invincible - Mabsam) - Lisa Allpress; made it four from five when hurtling home to snare victory in the Rating 74 1200 metres in November at Tauranga, and remained held in fourth, without room, at the trials on 12 January at Matamata. She has the record to prove tough from barrier two in the $70,000 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m).  Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.10.

7.10 p.m. R5 15 Entriviere (4 m Tavistock - Marcey's Belt) - Danielle Johnson; romped home in the Rating 74 1200 metres on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, running the fastest last 600m (33.2) on the day, while providing trainer Jamie Richards with one of six wins in a row at the meeting. Able to run good times, she has won three from four and appears a genuine force from barrier one in the $70,000 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m).  Fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.20.

7.45 p.m. R6 5 Supreme Khan (3 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Troy Harris; registered two wins and a second from three starts during a spring campaign from the Te Akau base at Riccarton, and looked good finishing on terms with multiple stakes winning stable-mate Need I Say More (No Nay Never) in an exhibition gallop on 1 January at Ellerslie. Second to subsequent Group One winning filly Bonham (Per Incanto) in the 3YO 1400 metres on 9 January at Awapuni, he requires luck from the outside gate (17) in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $31.00 & $5.75.

7.45 p.m. R6 6 Perfect Scenario (3 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Vinnie Colgan; followed consecutive wins and a narrowly beaten third, finishing fourth here in the Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 5 December, and clear second in the 3YO 1500 metres on 10 January at Ellerslie. He meets a tougher field in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m), but drawn barrier one and brings a solid record. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $5.25.

7.45 p.m. R6 11 Amarelinha (3 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Danielle Johnson; was very impressive winning the Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m) here on Boxing Day, running a slick last 600m (33.7), and gained a narrow advantage near the line over stable-mate Melody Belle (Commands) when trialling on 12 January at Matamata. A big strong filly, with oodles of ability, she warrants favouritism in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.30.

Te Akau won the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) last year with Probabeel (Savabeel), who became the first horse to win the Karaka Million double.

Trentham:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. Showers forecast.

12.45 p.m. R2 8 Get Hitched (4 m Lonhro - Wedding) - Ryan Elliot; boomed clear to win the Rating 65 1215 metres by nearly four lengths on 28 December at Rotorua, second-up, and steps up in the $27,500 Rating 74 1200 metres. The winner of two from four in NZ, she appears ideally placed to threaten from barrier four. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.20.

2.30 p.m. R5 7 Romantic Lady (4 m Power - Romantic Time) - Ryan Elliot; continued her genuine form with third to former 3YO Filly of the Year Imelda Mary (Ferlax) in the Open 1400 metres on 2 January at Tauranga, and ideally placed to threaten from barrier three in the $32,500 Open 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.70 & $1.40.