Te Akau Ellerslie Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has two horses entered for the ten-race programme on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 4 November at Ellerslie.  

As on Monday November 3 the conditions were: raining and Dead4, rail true.

3.30 p.m. R6 8 Abidewithme (5 m Redoute's Choice - Crimson) - Matt Cameron; took ground off the leading division when finishing fifth on Oct. 4 in the weight-for-age Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) at Hastings. Given 31-days between runs, she trialled recently at Cambridge: circling from off the pace and worked through the line stylishly for third. Her performances for fourth and fifth, respectively, during the Spring Carnival were extra good; her record here of three wins and a second from five starts speaks volumes and she is presented with an opportunity in which to prove very competitive from barrier five in the weight-for-age Sofitel Luxury Hotels Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m).

5.28 p.m. R8 8 Imperium (3 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Matt Cameron; stormed home for third, taking many lengths off the leaders, when debuting on Oct. 15 in the Maiden 1400 metres Avondale. He has pleased trainer Jason Bridgman in the interim and now steps up to a mile, from barrier three. His dam Ethereal (Rhythm), from Romanee Conti (Sir Tristram), won stakes of over $6 million and included four Group One wins: Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), Caulfield Cup (Gr. 1, 2400m), Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m), and BMW (Gr. 1, 2400m).  Of course it was HER day in the sun this day in 2001.