Te Akau Ellerslie Twilight Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Thursday 11 December at Ellerslie.  

Ellerslie:  

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 7 metres. No rain forecast.  

4:53 p.m. R2 6 Day One (3 g Wootton Bassett – Eleonora) – Opie Bosson; he secured a nice trip and ran home strongly for a close fifth when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres on 16 November at Rotorua. Contesting the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres, his dam Eleonora (Makfi) won the group 3 Sunline Vase (2100m) on this course, seems suited stepping up in distance, and he rates a top three chance with any luck from his wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.95. 

5:28 p.m. R3 13 Typhoon Lucy (3 f Dundeel – Stormy Lucy) – Rory Hutchings; she got back from a wide gate, was six lengths off the leaders at the 600m point, and staged a big finish down the outside for a close second in a trial on 14 November at Avondale. Debuting in the $25,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres, she is by six-time Group One winner Dundeel (High Chaparral), a major sire and sire of sires - her dam Stormy Lucy (Stormy Atlantic) has left four winners of 10 races from 1400m – 2200m, she is beautifully ideally drawn (2) and looks a bright prospect.  Fixed odds: $3.70 & $1.60.

6:42 p.m. R5 6 Barnum (3 g Circus Maximus – Meir) – Craig Grylls; he rallied from barrier one to lead, found a good kick into the straight, was challenged at the 200m, and fought back to win a trial on 25 November at Taupo, also with Grylls aboard. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres, the progeny of sire Circus Maximus (Galileo) are performing well - he is a half-brother to Te Akau purchased and trained Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner Dynastic (Almanzor), and this seems the ideal point for him to deliver a good first-up effort if the leading rider can orchestrate a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

7:17 p.m. R6 6 Queen’s Evidence (3 f King’s Legacy – Enjay) – Opie Bosson; she had an exhibition gallop with Champion Two-Year-Old stable-mate La Dorada (Super Seth) here on 29 November, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. A debut winner and runner-up in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) last season, she resumed with an eye-catching third in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) here on 6 September, races well when fresh, and has top three claims. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.35.