Te Akau Bumper Trans-Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 20 horses entered trans-Tasman on Saturday 13 April: Otaki and  Riccarton in New Zealand, and Randwick (Sydney), Morphettville (South Australia), and Bendigo (Victoria) in Australia.?

Otaki:

Weather: raining, track: Soft5, rail: true. 4mls rain forecast Friday, 16mls forecast Saturday. ?

1:35 p.m. R2 4 Star Shadow (2 f Reliable Man – Scene Queen) – Wiremu Pinn; she steadied back from the outside gate and stormed home late for second in a trial on 28 March at Tauranga. Debuting in the $35,000 2YO 1300 metres, she has been solid through trials' stage, her sister Helly Belly won well on Heavy8 going, she's drawn the ace and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.10. 

3:59 p.m. R6 4 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Craig Grylls; she was finding the line strongly before being denied room in the South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 23 March at Riccarton, and contests the $120,000 Hawke’s Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m). Winning three of her last six starts to 2200 metres, including being runner-up in the Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m), she has handled some give in ground and looks a good first four prospect. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

4:34 p.m. R7 7 Aris Aris (5 m Contributer – Irish Encore) – Wiremu Pinn; she fought well for a close second on footing downgraded to Heavy8 when resuming in the Rating 82 1200 metres on 23 March at Tauranga, and contests the $80,000 City Of Napier Sprint (Listed, 1200m). All four of her wins have come on soft ground, she meets even field and has strong first four claims from barrier four. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40. 

5:09 p.m. R8 1 Malborough Bay (4 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) – Jess Allen (a3); he was solid when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 16 March at Tauranga, won by stable-mate Aequus (Iffraaj), and then dropped in grade with a good effort for second on footing downgraded to Heavy9 in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 27 March at Matamata. He has weight relief to 57kg thanks to the very capable stable apprentice in the $35,000 Rating 65 1400 metres and presents as a top four chance if he can secure a decent trip from his wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

Riccarton:

Weather: raining, track: Soft7, rail: true. Showers forecast.?

12:10 p.m. R1 2 Time Is King (3 g Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Warren Kennedy; he battled on footing downgraded to Heavy9 in the Maiden 1200 metres on 27 March at Matamata, and contests the $20,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Ideally drawn (2), he receives the opportunity to show improvement. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80. 

1:20 p.m. R3 11 Caravella (4 m Caravaggio – Highland Lights) – Warren Kennedy; she quickened to winning advantage in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 March and finished strongly for third in the Rating 75 1200 metres, both here at Riccarton. Up in grade and unfortunately drawn wide (11) in the $40,000 Open 1200 metres, her form is very good in this campaign and she is capable of a bold showing. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

1:59 p.m. R4 1 Nucleozor (2 g Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Warren Kennedy; he unleashed a huge finish for a debut victory in the 2YO 820 metres on 2 March at Wingatui, and asserted his superiority again to easily win the Pearl Series 2YO 1000 metres here on 23 March. He warrants favouritism in the $80,000 Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) - one of two Te Akau juveniles in the field. Fixed odds: $1.40 & $1.05.    

1:59 p.m. R4 3 Discretion Rules (2 g Alabama Express – Miss Madonna) – Ashvin Goindasamy; he did well from a handy spot to finish third to Nucleozor (above) when debuting in the 2YO 820 metres on 2 March at Wingatui, and ran a smilier race but was second in the Pearl Series 2YO 1000 metres here on 23 March, again to his stablemate. He positions as a must-include in trifectas in the $80,000 Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.40. 

Te Akau has won the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) eight times, most recently with Sky On Fire (Exceed And Excel) in 2023. 

3:16 p.m. R6 7 Sense of Timing (3 f Time Test – Pin Up Lae) – Ashvin Goindasamy; the first of four Te Akau fillies contesting this event, she raced very well for third and second, respectively, in the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m) and NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Wingatui, and also ran the fastest last 600m (32.2) on the day for fourth to race rival Nikaia in the 3YO 1400 metres here on 23 March. Meeting a solid line-up in the $80,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m), she has strong first four claims but will need things to go her way from the wide gate (11). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80. 

3:16 p.m. R6 9 Mazzucato (3 f Tivaci – Yellen) – Matt Cameron; she continued her good course form when finishing a close third to race rival Nikaia in the 3YO 1400 metres here on 23 March. Two from three on the course over 1400 metres, she is perfectly drawn (4) to make her presence felt at the business end of proceedings in the $80,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

3:16 p.m. R6 14 Tranquila (3 f Iffraaj – Equanimity) – Warren Kennedy; she capped solid form when winning the Pearl Series Maiden 1600 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 14 March at Ashburton, and also contests the $80,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m). This is her first start at stakes' level and she has shown that she has got what it takes to measure up, however she is another that has a very difficult draw (14) to contend with.  Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00. 

3:16 p.m. R6 17 Lady Of Court (3 f Savabeel – Are There Any) – Jasmine Fawcett; she was luckless in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 2 March at Wingatui, and did well from the rear for seventh in the 3YO 1400 metres here on 23 March. A course winner over 1400 metres in February, she has the ability to deliver a bold showing but will need to secure a decent trip from barrier nine in the $80,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.50 

3:51 p.m. R7 1 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Warren Kennedy; he finished strongly for second in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 7 March and went an eye catcher off a wide trip for a close fifth to stablemate Beau Brummell (Embellish) in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 23 March, both here at Riccarton. He rates a top three chance but you guessed it - he needs to defy his carpark alley (15) in the $35,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

5:01 p.m. R9 2 Fellini (4 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Warren Kennedy; he got through nicely for second in a trial (poly-track) here on 3 April, and resumes in the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. The winner of five races, he generally is a consistent performer, is stakes' placed, has shown the ability to act in a fresh condition, and is ideally drawn (5) - one for two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $3.00. 

5:01 p.m. R9 17 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she produced a good effort after being back and widest when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 23 March, and contests the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. She appears capable of a solid showing from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.60.

Randwick:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 4 metres 1400m to winning post, remainder out 3 metres. No rain forecast.?

4:40 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:40 p.m. (NSW) R6 2 Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Opie Bosson; she ran a great race for fourth in the Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 2 March at Flemington, and was then beaten a nose in the Alister Clark Stakes (Gr. 2, 2040m) on 23 March at Moonee Valley - a huge effort as she was galloped on in the running and also lost a plate. Drawn barrier two in the A$1 million The Star Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), she has the talent and tenacity to deliver a top three finish. NZ TAB fixed odds: $14.00 & $2.80. 

6:35 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:35 p.m. (NSW) R9 3 Campionessa (6 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Opie Bosson; won the Peter Young Stakes (Gr. 2, 1800m) on 24 February at Caulfield, beating two former Melbourne Cup winners in the process, and got home strongly for third after being severely held up in the Sunline Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 23 March at Moonee Valley. Contesting the A$1 million Grainshaker Vodka Queen Of The Turf (Gr. 1, 1600m), she is the consummate professional but requires a huge dose of good fortune from her wide gate (13) ~ lucky for some!! NZ TAB fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.      

Morphettville:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 9 metres 1200m to winning post, remainder out 5 metres. No rain forecast.

7:02 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:32 p.m. (SA) R8 9 Skew Wiff (4 m Savabeel – Starvoia) – Liam Riordan; she finished not far away when resuming in the Oakleigh Plate (Gr. 1, 1100m) on 24 February at Caulfield, and has been freshened since racing keenly on the speed in the Newmarket Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 9 March at Flemington. She tended to hang when finishing well for fourth in a jump out on 8 April at Cranbourne, and contesting the A$150,000 Sportsbet R. N. Irwin Stakes (Gr. 3, 1100m), she is a Group One winner, is undoubtedly talented, but required to do things right from barrier five as she has a few quirks from time to time. NZ TAB fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.00.    

Bendigo:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.?

2:05 p.m. (NZ) ~ 12:05 p.m. (VIC) R1 7 Prismatic (5 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Dean Yendall; he finished strongly from the rear when resuming in the Benchmark 70 1600 metres on 29 February at Pakenham, and chased hard for fourth in the Benchmark 84 2040 metres on 23 March at Moonee Valley. Given a hurdle trial since, he is aided by a handy draw (4) in the A$130,000 Benchmark 78 2400 metres. NZ TAB fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.   

6:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:15 p.m. (VIC) R8 14 Certainly (3 f Savabeel – Frankly) – Dean Yendall; she justified favouritism with a big performance to win the Mufhasa Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on Derby Day (2 March) at Ellerslie, and finished among the minors for sixth in the Alexandra Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 23 March at Moonee Valley. Contesting the A$200,000 RSN 945AM Bendigo Stakes (Listed, 1400m), she possesses plenty of ability but has copped a nightmare draw (17).  NZ TAB fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.