Te Akau Ellerslie Melbourne Cup Day Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Tuesday 4 November, Melbourne Cup Day, at Ellerslie.      

Ellerslie: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:57 p.m. R2 14 Presence Of Mind (3 f Fastnet Rock – Supreme Mind) – Craig Grylls; she got back beyond midfield and was unable to quicken when resuming in the Maiden 1000 metres on October at Taupo, also with last season’s champion rider aboard. She has been patiently handled, being given time (25 days), and contests the $40,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She won a trial here before her debut second in sole start as two-year-old, boasts a terrific pedigree, and should make an impact today from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $2.90.

2:11 p.m. R4 2 Towering Vision (3 g Circus Maximus – Qiji Vision) – Opie Bosson; he travelled midfield on the outer and ran home for fourth without being extended in a trial on 9 October at Waipa. Resuming in the $75,000 3YO 1400 metres, he won the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes over 1400m)in May, then spelled following a second here in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m), and brings the right record to rate a top three chance from the handy barrier four. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.25.

2:53 p.m. R5 1 Hakkinen (4 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Hayley Hassman (a3); he ran on strongly for third after racing three-wide with cover when resuming here in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 18 October. A smart Maiden winner over 1600 metres, he was fourth in both the Listed Gingernuts Salver and Group 2 Avondale Guineas, both over 2100m, and spelled following the Group 1 NZ Derby ( 2400m). He will benefit from the apprentice weight relief to 58.5kg and has the ability to deliver a a top four result, if the pair can overcome the tricky gate (12). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.30.

4:03 p.m. R7 6 My Lips Are Sealed (5 m Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Matt Cameron; she was steadied back for cover from a wide draw (12) and fought well after circling widest in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on 17 October at Matamata. One of two stablemates lining up in the $75,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres, she won the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) in dominant fashion last season at Trentham, but she’s another that has copped a difficult barrier (13). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.50.

4:03 p.m. R7 9 Talisker (5 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Craig Grylls; he was caught wide and buffeted mid-straight when peaking on his run first-up in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Also contesting the $75,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres, he has been Group One placed to 1600 metres, and is capable of solid showing from barrier six. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.40.

4:41 p.m. R8 5 Midnight Blue (9 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Opie Bosson; he raced wide with cover and remained resolute finishing fifth when resuming in the Open Handicap 1600 metres here on 25 October. Contesting the $150,000 Group 3 Elsdon Park Balmerino Stakes (2000m), he is the winner of seven races (1600m – 2400m), a Group and Listed winner, and certainly can prove competitive if - again - things go his way from an awkward barrier (9).  Fixed odds: $18.00 & $3.80. 

Main picture - Midnight Blue