Te Akau Friday Trans Tasman Preview
Date: 28 Sep 2023
Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Friday 29 September: Te Rapa, and Moonee Valley (Melbourne).
Te Rapa:
Weather: showery, track: Heavy8, rail: out 6 metres. 7mls rain forecast Thursday, showers Friday.
3:54 p.m. R7 1 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Jess Allen (a3); he found plenty in a trial before being back and wide when resuming in the Open 1600 metres on 9 September at Hastings. Contesting the $50,000 Open 1600 metres, and the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner last season, he enjoys weight relief to 59kg, has drawn ace, has never been out of the money in six course attempts, but would prefer improving ground - one of two in the event for the stable.
3:54 p.m. R7 2 Brando (6 g Savabeel – Saoirse) – Niranjan Parmar (a2); he resumed with an eye-catching finish in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) here on 26 August, and the wide trip took its toll in the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 9 September at Hastings. He brings solid course/distance stats into play, is economically drawn (4), has weight relief to 59kg, handles give in ground, and is capable of bouncing back to winning form.
4:28 p.m. R8 3 Cognito (4 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Niranjan Parmar (a2); he came from the rear in the fastest last 600m (34.3) for second to Group One winning stable-mate Romancing The Moon (El Roca) when resuming in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 15 September at Taupo, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. The Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) winner last season, he drops to 56.5kg with the apprentice claim, and rates a top three chance but will require luck from his wide alley (11).
5:02 p.m. R9 9 Spellcraft (4 g Savabeel – Bewitching) – Niranjan Parmar (a2); he rolled on okay through the line when resuming in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 13 September at Cambridge (poly track), and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He won his Maiden over 1600 metres, and ended his previous campaign in good form. With weight relief to 57kg, he's well drawn (4), and is capable of a solid showing if appreciative of prevailing conditions.
Moonee Valley:
Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true.
12:15 a.m. (NZ time) R7 7 Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible – Berimbau) – Opie Bosson; she circled around and cleared out to win by two and half lengths when resuming in the McEwen Stakes (Gr. 2, 1000m) here on 9 September, smashing the class and track record. It's the same course/distance in the A$750,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (Gr. 1, 1000 metres) for the mare who also brilliantly won the A$1 million William Reid Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) here in March. If she performs again to that level, she will be tough to beat and remain unbeaten at The Valley. NZ TAB fixed odds: $1.80 & $1.10.
12:45 a.m. (NZ time) R8 11 Zourion (3 f Zoustar – Irion) – Mark Zahra; she lengthened to the outside of runners for a nice win when trialling on 15 September at Taupo, and resumes in the A$200,000 University Food Group Scarborough Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) for three-year-old fillies. She was a debut winner before stylishly winning the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) last season, showing both class and resolve, but she will need everything to go her way from the outside gate (13). NZ TAB fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.
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