Te Akau Ellerslie New Year's Day Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has 11 horses racing on 1 January at Ellerslie.

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 3 metres. Showers forecast.

1.54 p.m. R3 2 Avonallo (2 c Belardo - Real Angel) - Craig Grylls; continued improving during his spring campaign at Riccarton, capping two seconds with an authoritative victory in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on 14 November. Freshened, he rates a top three chance from barrier five in the $100,000 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $2.40. 

1.54 p.m. R3 3 Sword of State (2 c Snitzel - In the Vanguard) - Opie Bosson; proved a class above his rivals when winning on debut by 6 ½ lengths in the 2YO 1200 metres on 12 December at Te Rapa, and he warrants favouritism from barrier four in the $100,000 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.10.

1.54 p.m. R3 7 Imperatriz (2 f I Am Invincible - Berimbau) - Danielle Johnson; came from off the pace to score on debut in the 2YO 1100 metres on 26 November at Otaki, given time (36 days), she rates a top three chance from barrier one in the $100,000 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.15.

2.29 p.m. R4 9 Illusion of Paris (3 f Pure Champion - Phantom of Paris) - Opie Bosson; worked on pace and remained gallant in good time (34.8, last 600m) finishing second in the Maiden 1560 metres on 2 December at Rotorua, and fought solidly after leading for third in the Maiden 1600 metres on 16 December at Pukekohe. The $100,000 Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) is a tougher task, and drawn wide (11) no help, but brings form and fitness. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40.

3.04 p.m. R5 7 You're Welcome (5 g Camelot - Chorus of Angels) - Michael McNab; recorded a timely win here in the Dunstan Championship Qualifier (Rating 65, 2100m) on 28 November and contests the $100,000 Dunstan Championship Final (Special Conditions, 2400m). The outside gate (18) offers no favours in a stronger field, but brings winning form. Fixed odds: $17.00 & $5.00.

4.14 p.m. R7 1 Prise De Fer (5 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; produced a top run for second in the J Swap Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 12 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m). Defending champion after making it four in a row with a very strong victory last year, sneaking in with 53kg, he carries top weight (60kg) and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.55.

4.49 p.m. R8 2 In A Twinkling (5 g Fastnet Rock - Moment in Time) - Opie Bosson; defended his title in the Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m) on 21 November at Pukekohe, and fought hard for third to two very good mares in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2000m) here on Boxing Day - a day in which trainer Jamie Richards trained six winners on the card. He brings the right form to rate a top three chance in the $200,000 SkyCity City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m). Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.90.

4.49 p.m. R8 5 Te AkauCaliburn (6 g Camelot - Enchanted Evening) - Michael McNab; lost a lead bag when saddle slipped here on 5 December in the Open 2100 metres, and steps up in the $200,000 SkyCity City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m). Ideally drawn (3) and expected to stay the trip, but meets a tough field. Fixed odds:$41.00 & $7.75.

4.49 p.m. R8 6 Savy Yong Blonk (5 m Savabeel - Ampin) - Danielle Johnson; was held up before racing into second to stable-mate In A Twinkling (above) in the Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m) on 21 November at Pukekohe, and did well finishing second in the Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 12 December. She produced a grand performance for second last year in the $200,000 SkyCity City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) and has all the credentials to rate a top three chance with luck from barrier 14. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.60.

5.28 p.m. R9 2 Avantage (5 m Fastnet Rock - Asavant) - Opie Bosson; freshened after finishing second to stable-mate and dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands) in the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 17 October at Hastings, and galloped clear for a smart 1000-metre trial win on 8 December at Avondale. Resuming in the $200,000 Sistema Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m), she is ideally drawn in barrier five, a Group 1 winner at 1200m, 1400m, 1600m & 2000m, and has to be respected. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.30.  

6.08 p.m. R10 10 Secret Amour (4 m Niagara - My Secret) - Opie Bosson; backed up a terrific second over 1400 metres here on Melbourne Cup Day (3 Nov.), when running equal fastest last 600m (33.2), with an authoritative victory in the Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1400 metres on 17 November at Rotorua, and second again here in the Rating 65 1500 metres on 5 December. She rates a top three chance from barrier six in the $50,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

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