Te Akau Ellerslie Derby Day Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered on Derby Day, Sunday 7 March, at Ellerslie.

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

12.15 p.m. R1 2 Prise De Fer  (5 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; freshened after a good effort in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) here on 1 January, he stretched out very well to finish third when trialling on 25 February at Pukekohe, and resumes in the $50,000 Open 1500 metres. Drawn the outside (9) and carrying 61.5kg, but acts fresh and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.

2.00 p.m. R4 1 Markus Aurelius  (4 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Joe Kamaruddin (a3); resumed with a smart victory in the Rating 74 1400 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa, with Kamaruddin aboard. Same grade and ideally drawn (2) in the $50,000 Rating 74 1600 metres, he has weight relief to 59kg and a top three prospect if appreciative of the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.

2.35 p.m. R5 1 Need I Say More (3 g No Nay Never - Bo Bardi) - Opie Bosson; produced a stunning victory in the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) when resuming here on Karaka Million night (23 Jan.), and contests the $67,000 Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (Listed, 1300m). Five from seven, including four stakes victories, he appears hardest to beat from barrier two. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.20.

2.35 p.m. R5 4 Cornflower Blue  (3 f Savabeel - Tiffany Yellow) - Danielle Johnson; won the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) and spelled after finishing third to stable-mate Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), she was held together when trialling on 25 February at Pukekohe. Classy, with a record to match, she rates a top three chance in the $67,000 Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (Listed, 1300m). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.50.

2.35 p.m. R5 8 Holyhead  (3 f Pierro - Irish Sea) - Craig Grylls; broke through at her third start with a determined win here in the Maiden 1200 metres on 20 February, and steps in class for the $67,000 Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (Listed, 1300m). Drawn the outside (8), but winning course form certainly helps. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $3.80.

3.10 p.m. R6 6 Mai Tai  (4 m Atlante - Tropical Punch)- Opie Bosson; smart late when winning the Rating 65 1400 metres in December at Te Rapa, and freshened after charging home to win the Stella Artois Championship Final (Special Conditions, 1500m) here on Boxing Day. She was good through the line when trialling on 16 February at Cambridge, and look for her getting home strongly in the $50,000 Rating 74 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.

3.45 p.m. R7 8 Entriviere  (4 m Tavistock - Marcey's Belt) - Danielle Johnson; made it four from five with a brilliant victory in the Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m) here on Karaka Million night (23 Jan.), and finished strongly on the bridle in fourth when trialling on 25 February at Pukekohe. Drawn wide (11) adds complications in the $100,000 Haunui Farm King's Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m), but appears very competitive with the right trip. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.30.

3.45 p.m. R7 12 Festivity  (4 m I Am Invincible - Mabsam) - Lisa Allpress ONZM; was never clear finishing fifth to stable-mate Entriviere (above) in the Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m) here on Karaka Million night (23 Jan.), before waltzing away with theTe Akau Shark Farewell To A Legend Rating 74 1200 metres on 13 February at Te Rapa. Winner of five from seven, she drops 7.5kg to carry minimum (53kg) in the $100,000 Haunui Farm King's Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.20.

4.22 p.m. R8 1 Amarelinha (3 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Danielle Johnson; impressed winning the Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m) and narrowly beaten by 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Aegon (Sacred Falls) in a tremendous finish to the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m), both at Ellerslie. She was exceptional winning the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 13 February at Te Rapa, and hardest to beat in the $70,000 McKee Family Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m). Fixed odds: $1.40 & $1.10.

5.04 p.m. R9 4 Perfect Scenario (3 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Opie Bosson; stepped up with a brave fifth in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m), and notable finishing third to race rival Tokorangi (Redwood) in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 13 February at Te Rapa. Consistent, genuine, and talented, seeing out the trip is all important in the $1m Vodafone NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.60.