Te Akau Ellerslie Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Sunday 9 January at Ellerslie.

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 10 metres Showers forecast Saturday, 3mls rain Sunday.

12:54 p.m. R2 1 Fellini  (2 g Belardo - Silke Top) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); debuted with a brave third off a wide run in a 2YO 1000 metres on 23 October at Matamata, and resumed winning easily after leading in a Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 20 December at Pukekohe. Ideally drawn (3) in the $35,000 2YO 1200 metres, he has weight relief to 55.5kg and rates a top three chance - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.20.

12:54 p.m. R2 4 Time Flies (2 g Time Test - Rorippa) - Opie Bosson; won both trials, including over subsequent, impressive winning stable-mate Bright Blue Sky (Fastnet Rock), and tried hard when a close second on debut in a Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 20 December at Pukekohe. Likely improved, the visor blinkers are on and he rates a top three prospect from barrier one with the stable rider aboard. Fixed odds: $1.60 & $1.05.

2:04 p.m. R4 15 Illicit Miss  (3 f Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); finished second following an economical trip in a Maiden 1400 metres on 20 December at Pukekohe, and steps up in the $20,000 Maiden 1600 metres. Handily drawn (6), she enjoys weight relief to 53.5kg and has the right credentials to rate among the top three chances.

2:39 p.m. R5 4 The Perfect Pink (3 f Savabeel - The Solitaire) - Opie Bosson; headed home a Te Akau first four with strong finish in 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and resumes off 57-days in the $45,000 3YO 1500 metres. From a terrific family, she is classy and has first three claims despite drawing the outside gate (10) - the first of a stable duo in the event. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.40.

2:39 p.m. R5 10 Pin Me Up  (3 f Pins - Brampton Loco) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); ran the fastest last 600m when second in each of her first two starts, before justifying favouritism in a Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 18 December at Te Rapa. She steps up in class but she is a big strong filly, aided by weight relief to 53.5kg, and has to be included in first three calculations with a decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.20.