Te Akau Derby Day Ellerslie Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing on Saturday 4 March, Derby Day, at Ellerslie.

As on Friday 3 March the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. No rain forecast.

2.19 p.m. R4 7 Royal Success (4 g Savabeel - Royal Show) - Opie Bosson; made it four wins in a row with a top fresh-up performance in the Rating 85 1400 metres in December at Trentham, running a good quality time: 1:22.9, last 600m 33.8. A setback ruled him out of racing on Boxing Day and following a break he comes in to the $50,000 Rating 85 1400 metres off 91 days. Given a quiet trial over 1200 metres on 14 February at Cambridge, he was held together and strong through the line when finishing just off the leaders in a heat won by race rival and favourite Francaletta (High Chaparral).  His record speaks volumes and the TAB has him second favourite in a very good field - which is the order for the day. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.80.

3.31 p.m. R6 6 Dame Margo Fonteyn (3 f High Chaparral - Dancing Forever) - Opie Bosson; recorded a notable fifth here on 18 February, off 66 days, in the Rating 75 1600 metres, when Slow8 footing appeared a touch beyond her. That followed back-to-back wins, in which the first of those she became the hundredth winner trained by Te Akau for Fortuna Syndications. Her dam impressed winning over 2000 metres, and drawn barrier nine in the $70,000 Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) she can be afforded an each way chance. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.50.

4.06 p.m. R7 3 Kingsman (3 c Darci Brahma - Society Lady) - Opie Bosson; ran a great race for second in the 3YO 1400 metres on 28 January at Pukekohe, last 600m in a slick 33.6, and remained on the bridle to finish third when trialling since on 14 February at Cambridge. Third here in the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) in January last year, he contests the $70,000 Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) for three-year-olds. He runs times to be competitive, has blinkers on, and just requires a touch of luck from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40.

4.41 p.m. R8 7 Splurge (4 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Opie Bosson; stepped up again with a terrific victory here on 18 February in the Rating 85 1200 metres, running his last 600m in 34.1 despite the Slow8 track conditions. Now the winner of five from nine, including three from four this time in, he rises in class to contest the $100,000 Darley Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m). Unbeaten in two starts on the course, he has to be regarded as a top three chance, given his form line, times and overall attributes. Fixed odds: $5.80 & $2.05.

5.21 p.m. R9 7 Gingernuts (3 g Iffraaj - Double Elle) - Opie Bosson; staged a monumental rise in to Derby calculations following a stunning win in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) on this course a fortnight ago. A clear last after missing the start, he joined in nearing the home turn, making his run on the inside, and sprouted wings at the 200m to win easily at the finish by one and a quarter lengths - seeing is believing. Drawn barrier thirteen in the $1m Vodafone NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), he has certainly given the pundits plenty to think about with regards assessing form for this great race. He has trained on confidently since, has both the form and pedigree to cop the trip and must be considered a live chance if able to emulate his last start performance. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

5.21 p.m. R9 18 Beaumarchais (3 g Savabeel - Almaviva) - Michael McNab; ran a great race, widest on the track, in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), to indicate he was up to the task, and in the process clocked the fastest final 600m (35.05) outside of race winning stable-mate Gingernuts. With the addition of a tongue tie, he should receive a lovely trip from barrier four in the $1m Vodafone NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and when it comes to an outsider that warrants respect then he fits the bill. Fixed odds: $61.00 & $11.00.