Te Akau Boxing Day Preview
26 December, 2020
Te Akau New Zealand has 10 horses racing on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.
Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. No rain forecast.
12.30 p.m. R1 4 Star of Bombay (4 m Atlante - Astardia) - Craig Grylls; reignited on her favourite course with a smart victory in the Open 1400 metres here on 28 November, and she remains on the minimum (54kgs) in the $50,000 Open 1400 metres. From barrier four, against a similar field, she appears a leading chance. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.20.
1.40 p.m. R3 2 Palamos (2 c Extreme Choice - Unrevealed) - Opie Bosson; exhibited a good action winning on debut by two lengths in the 2YO 1000 metres on 24 October at Te Rapa, freshened, and held together for a comfortable third when trialling on 8 December at Avondale. A touch awkwardly drawn (8) in the $50,000 2YO 1100 metres, but blinkers on and emulation of his debut performance should see him competitive. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.40.
1.40 p.m. R3 3 Sophisticardo (2 c Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Troy Harris; recorded a stylish debut win in the 2YO 800 metres on 7 October at Avondale, freshened, and remained held in finishing a close second when trialling on 24 November at Cambridge. Barrier 12 offers no favours, but going well and appears capable of proving competitive in the $50,000 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.
1.40 p.m. R3 5 Sneaky Shark (2 c Capitalist - Hidden Attraction) - Danielle Johnson; won with his ears pricked when trialling on 12 November, and beaten a long head after duelling with winning stable-mate Millefiori (Iffraaj) on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 28 November, both at Ellerslie. Nothing could be taken away from the effort, off a wide gate, and barrier four in the $50,000 2YO 1100 metres maps for a good trip. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.65.
2.15 p.m. R4 11 Entriviere (4 m Tavistock - Marcey's Belt) - Danielle Johnson; made it two from two when streaking clear to win the Rating 65 1300 by four lengths in October at Tauranga, and freshened after finishing second in November at Avondale. She finished second to listed winner and Group 2 placed Levante (Proisir) when trialling on 14 December at Te Aroha, runs good times, and warrants favouritism in the $50,000 Rating 74 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $1.55 & $1.10.
2.50 p.m. R5 10 Vamos Bebe (4 m I Am Invincible - Hurtle Myrtle) - Danielle Johnson; was unlucky not to win, getting back from a wide gate and stormed home in the fastest last 600m (33.7) on the day for second in the Rating 74 1200 metres here on 28 November. She had converted consecutive wins in the Special Conditions 1200 metres on 19 September at Hastings, and shapes as a major contender, carrying minimum weight (53kgs), in the $60,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m). Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.
3.25 p.m. R6 2 Brando (3 c Savabeel - Saoirse) - Opie Bosson; freshened after winning his second start in good style over 1400 metres in October at Te Aroha, finished strongly for third when trialling on the same course (1 Dec.), and charged home for victory in the 3YO 1200 metres on 12 December at Te Rapa. Drawn a touch awkwardly (8) in the $60,000 Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m), but all factors point to him threatening. Fixed odds: $1.85 & $1.20.
4.00 p.m. R7 9 Mai Tai (4 m Atlante - Tropical Punch)- Danielle Johnson; finished strongly for fourth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 21 November at Awapuni, and smart late in the piece to win the Rating 65 1400 metres on 12 December at Te Rapa. Stepped in class and distance for the $80,000 Stella Artois Championship Final (Special Conditions, 1500m), she carries minimum weight (54kgs) and shapes to prove competitive with the right trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.
4.35 p.m. R8 6 Amarelinha (3 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Opie Bosson; won impressively at the trials before a nose margin defeat on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 13 November at Awapuni, and impressive again winning here on 5 December in the Maiden 1300 metres. It was a performance that suggested she could prove very competitive in the $100,000 Jamieson Park Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m). Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.45.
5.15 p.m. R9 5 In A Twinkling (5 g Fastnet Rock - Moment in Time) - Opie Bosson; defended his title in the Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m) on 21 November at Pukekohe, and steps up to weight-for-age in the $200,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2000m). Ideally drawn (2), he can measure up with his A-game. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.30.
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