Te Akau Ellerslie Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing on Saturday 5 December at Ellerslie.

Weather: overcast, track: Dead5, rail: out 7 metres. No rain forecast.

2.43 p.m. R2 12 Amarelinha  (3 f Savabeel - Hopscotch) - Craig Grylls; won impressively at the trials before a nose margin defeat on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 13 November at Awapuni. It was a big fresh-up effort and despite drawing wide (15) she can threaten with a decent trip in the $10,000 Maiden 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.55.

4.28 p.m. R5 1 Te Akau Caliburn  (6 g Camelot - Enchanted Evening) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); was inconvenienced by rain-affected shifty footing in the Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (Listed, 1600m) on 31 October at Pukekohe, and contests the $37,500 Open 2100 metres. Brave finishing second in the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) in March at Trentham, he has weight relief to 58kgs and should appreciate stepping in distance. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.20.

5.05 p.m. R3 2 Perfect Scenario (3 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Craig Grylls; delivered fresh-up with a strong gallop in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 14 October at Tauranga, and again with a smart victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 28 October at Te Aroha. He was narrowly beaten when third in the 3YO 1300 metres a fortnight ago at Awapuni, won by stakes' winner Shezzacatch (Savabeel), and ideally drawn (4) to race well in the $70,000 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.20.

6.25 p.m. R8 9 Acting  (4 m Savabeel - Hollywood) - Ashvin Goindasamy (a1); lengthened stylishly to win under a hand ride when trialling on 5 November at Matamata, and resumes in the $37,500 Open 1200 metres. A smart looking filly, having her first start for the stable, she was competitive at Group 1 level and won the 1000 Guineas Prelude (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Caulfield, and shapes to measure up with luck from barrier 11. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.

7.05 p.m. R9 9 Secret Amour  (4 m Niagara - My Secret) - Craig Grylls; backed up a terrific second over 1400 metres here on Melbourne Cup Day (3 Nov.), running equal fastest last 600m (33.2) on the day, with an authoritative victory in the Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1400 metres on 17 November at Rotorua. Ideally drawn (5) in the $27,500 Rating 65 1500 metres, she brings the right credentials to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.55.

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