Te Akau Doomben Preview

Te Akau Racing has one horse racing on Saturday 9 June at Doomben, Brisbane.

As on Friday 8 June the conditions were: fine and Heavy8 (penetrometer 5.9), rail true. Showers forecast Saturday morning, 22 degrees.

5.35 p.m. (NZ time) R7 13 Augustus (3 g Snitzel - Gussy Godiva) - Brenton Avdulla; was bought recently by Te Akau principal David Ellis, with the 2019 $1.15m Group One Emirates Singapore Derby (1800m) in mind, and contests the $600,000 Queensland Derby (Gr. 1, 2200m). Out of 2009 NZ Broodmare of the Year Gussy Godiva (Last Tycoon), who has left eight individual winners of 20 races, including Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Roman Emperor (Montjeu) and Group Two winning stallion Rios (Hussonet), last start winner Augustus has won three of his 11 starts.

Currently in training with Chris Waller, he hit the line strongly to win over 1900 metres on 23 May at Canterbury, and although stepping in class the extra distance should suit.

Chris Waller reported: “The horse is well after arriving at our Gold Coast stable, ate up, and was nice and settled this morning. So, everything has gone to plan and he has had the right Derby preparation in terms of being fit enough to run the distance. Barrier nine in a field of 16 should not be too bad. I think there will be quite a bit of pressure on early and develop into a really tough staying test, based on the speed in the race. Therefore, his staying capabilities should be a big plus and I think he will run a cheeky race. $41.00 & $8.50 fixed odds on the NZ TAB.

Waller suggested his stable-mate Youngstar (High Chaparral) could be hardest to beat. He also mentioned as threats: 1 Dark Dream (All American), 11 Lucky For All (Tavistock), 2 Heavenly Thought (So You Think), and 7 Live And Free (Savabeel).