Te Akau Ellerslie Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Saturday 7 June at Ellerslie. 

Ellerslie:  

Weather: showery, track: Soft7, rail: true. No rain Saturday. 

10:50 a.m. R1 1 Pokuru Gold (4 g Darci Brahma – Pokuru Nugget) – Hayley Hassman (a3); he raced well for third to Champion Two-Year-Old Velocious in the Open Handicap 1100 metres on 24 May at Te Rapa, and drops in grade for the $40,000 Rating 75 1100 metres. He recorded his fourth win from six starts when running the fastest last 600m (34.0) in the Rating 75 1100 metres here on 7 May, has weight relief to 59kg, and rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.45.

1:16 p.m. R5 3 War Of Succession (4 g Tavistock – Ziffel) – Hayley Hassman (a3); he recorded a very good second-up victory in the Rating 65 1600 metres here on 17 May, and remains in the same grade for the $40,000 Rating 65 2100 metres. Enjoying weight relief to 56.5kg with the Te Akau apprentice engaged (who is now a 3kg claimer), he was a Maiden winner over 1950 metres, is bred to stay, and is capable of a top three finish. Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.80.

1:50 p.m. R6 5 Fierce Flight (6 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Craig Grylls; he remained back when resuming on Heavy10 going in the Rating 75 1560 metres on 10 May at Rotorua, has since had a hurdle trial, and contests the $45,000 Open Handicap 2100 metres. A stakes' winner who has twice been Group Three placed, he has won six times to 2200 metres, and finds the opportunity to show improvement second-up. Fixed odds: $35.00 & $7.00.

4:17 p.m. R10 11 Truth Or Dare (3 g Vanbrugh – Thetruthisoutthere) – Unfixed; he resumed with a notable third earlier in season at Te Rapa, before stretching out to win the Maiden 1600 metres on 19 September at Cranbourne (Victoria). Subsequently spelled following two stakes’ races, he fought well over the sprint trip for fifth in a trial on 27 May at Waipa, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He has certainly has the ability to race solidly fresh-up. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.50.