Te Akau Ellerslie Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Thursday 12 December for twilight meeting at Ellerslie.

Ellerslie:

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft5, rail: out 10 metres. 19mls rain forecast Thursday. 

4:50 p.m. R3 10 Santarelli (4 m Darci Brahma – Pennacchio) – Wiremu Pinn; she improved to secure a nice spot passing the 800m and quickened stylishly to comfortably win a trial on 26 November at Taupo. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres, her dual listed-winning dam impressed during a career of eight wins from 1200m – 1600m, had strong affinity with Ellerslie, and left six winners of 28 races including stakes' winners. She has the right credentials to perform admirably first-up. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

5:29 p.m. R4 15 Top Shelf (3 f Savabeel – Saoirse) – Wiremu Pinn; she was slowest to begin, however ranged quickly to challenge three wide, and sustained a good effort for third in a trial also on 26 November at Taupo. Debuting in the $25,000 Entain/NZB Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses), she is a sister to dual Group Two winner and former stable-mate Brando, and is presented with the opportunity to commence her racing career with a solid performance from barrier six. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.60.

6:12 p.m. R5 13 Crown Princess (3 f Embellish – Princess Davone) – Craig Grylls; the first of two in this race for the team, she settled back on the outer, tracked up widest rounding the home turn, and finished solidly for third in a trial on 26 November again at Taupo, and also with Grylls aboard. Her Te Akau trained dam recorded four wins from 1200m – 2100m and was stakes' placed multiple times. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, she has the pedigree to get over more distance but is another filly who finds the opportunity to commence her racing career in good fashion from a reasonable gate (6). Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.00.

6:12 p.m. R5 14 Luvabeel (3 f Savabeel – O’Lovely) – Wiremu Pinn; she drew wide, settled back on the inner and ran home strongly near the rail, changing ground late for fourth, again in a trial on 26 November at Taupo, also with Pinn aboard. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, she hails from one of best families in the studbook, possesses a terrific pedigree, and will be seeking to commence her racing life in positive fashion if she secures some luck for her tricky barrier (9). Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.20.