Te Akau Ellerslie Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Sunday 12 January at Ellerslie. 

Ellerslie:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 8 metres. No rain forecast. 

2:00 p.m. R2 1 To Bravery Born (2 c Snitzel – Milunka) – Craig Grylls; he displayed a good turn of foot to win his sole start over 800 metres by two lengths in August at Wanganui, and had an exhibition gallop with year older stable-mate and Group One winner Move To Strike on 2 January at Tauranga, ridden on each occasion by Grylls. Resuming in the $45,000 2YO 1200 metres, one of two runners for the team, he rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.50. 

2:00 p.m. R2 3 Dare To Proisir (2 g Proisir – Hayle Bay) – Vinnie Colgan; he raced on terms with the leader and yielded late for third on Heavy8 when debuting in the Maiden 2YO 950 metres on 5 October at Tauranga. Given time since, he ran home strongly to win a trial on 17 December at Pukekohe, and also resumes in the $45,000 2YO 1200 metres. His family has shown a preference for better ground and too presents as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.85.

4:55 p.m. R7 2 Class (3 g Embellish – Opulent) – Vinnie Colgan; he kept giving to finish third after dictating a moderate tempo in the 3YO 1600 metres here on 1 January, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $100,000 Listed Gingernuts Salver over 2100m. The progeny of his sire Embellish (Savabeel) are going well, and while he needs to secure a clear passage from an awkward draw (9) this is his opportunity to continue his good form if he appreciates the extra distance. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.80.

4:55 p.m. R7 4 Hakkinen (3 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Wiremu Pinn; he recorded a smart victory, at just his second start, in the Rating 60 1600 metres on 20 December at Matamata, also with Pinn aboard (main picture). He too steps up in the $100,000 Listed Gingernuts Salver, looks nice staying prospect in the making, and presents as a top three chance in what shapes as an even field. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.40. 

5:35 p.m. R8 7 Francee (5 m Iffraaj – Calveen) – Vinnie Colgan; she was squeezed out of contention when she had more to offer in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 7 December and staged a big effort from a wide draw (14) for third in the Stella Artois Championship Final (Special Conditions, 1500m) on 26 December, both here at Ellerslie. Contesting the $55,000 Rating 75 1500 metres, she rates a top three chance from barrier six. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.15.