Te Akau Hastings & Melbourne Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Saturday 9 September: Hastings, and Moonee Valley (Melbourne). 

Hastings:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

Te Akau Racing has pledged to donate $500 for every race won by a horse prepared by their trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson to support Hawke’s Bay Cancer Society at the Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday

2:17 p.m. R5 1 Tokyo Tycoon (3 g Satono Aladdin – All About The Coin) – Opie Bosson; he ran on to finish in midfield when trialling on 23 August at Taupo, and resumes in the $90,000 El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m). Outstanding during his two-year-old season: becoming the seventh consecutive winner for Te Akau in the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), he adding the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) among four wins. While he is awkwardly drawn (10), he is highly talented and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.25.

2:48 p.m. R6 3 Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel – High Fashion) – Niranjan Parmar (a2); she got back and held her spot over a sprint trip in trial on 23 August at Taupo, and resumes in the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She was terrifically consistent last season: winning twice and being twice Group Three placed. She enjoys weight relief to 58kg, and rates a top three chance from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

3:23 p.m. R7 4 Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Opie Bosson; she ran the fastest last 600m (35.6) when resuming with a victory in the 3YO 1100 metres on 23 August at Taupo, and steps up in the $120,000 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). Unbeaten in two starts, after winning as two-year-old on debut over 1200 metres, she has unfortunately copped a wide gate (13) and while she will need a ton of luck from out there, she harbours grim determination. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

3:58 p.m. R8 1 Belle of the Ball (5 m Savabeel – Lady Tatia) – Niranjan Parmar (a2); she got back and was good through the line near rail when trialling on 23 August at Taupo, and resumes in the $65,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. She made great inroads last season, winning four races including a hat-trick and finished runner-up to stable-mate Belle En Rouge (Burgundy) in the Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m). She has weight relief to 60kg, is handily drawn (6), can run good sectionals, and has first four claims. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

4:35 p.m. R9 3 Brando (6 g Savabeel – Saoirse) – Johnathan Parkes; he came from last with an eye-catching finish when resuming in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 26 August at Te Rapa, and contests the $400,000 Westbury Stud Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m). He ended his previous campaign winning consecutively in the Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m) and Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr. 2, 2000m), and is twice Group One placed but requires luck from dreadful draw (16). Fixed odds: $31.00 & $6.50. 

4:35 p.m. R9 11 Aromatic (7 m Sacred Falls – Vickezzchardonnay) – Warren Kennedy; she worked to lead and kept up a strong gallop to win a trial on 23 August at Taupo, and resumes in the $400,000 Westbury Stud Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m). She was super last season when winning the Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m), Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m), and Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m). A gorgeous grey mare, she is obviously suited to further and meets a slick field but she gives 100% and is very consistent. Fixed odds: $51.00 & $9.00. 

3:38 p.m. R8 14 Skew Wiff (4 m Savabeel – Starvoia) – Opie Bosson; she resumed with a terrific effort for second in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 26 August at Te Rapa, and contests the $400,000 Westbury Stud Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m). She ended her previous campaign finishing runner-up in both the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) and NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). Ideally drawn (4), she possesses great natural talent and rates a top three chance in this smart field. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30. 

5:08 p.m. R10 1 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Niranjan Parmar (a2); he kept finding plenty for fourth after posting wide in a trial on 23 August at Taupo, and resumes in the $65,000 Open 1600 metres. He followed a a brilliant victory in the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) finishing second in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m). He is a solid performer at the very top level, has weight relief to 61kg and rates a top four chance fresh-up. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

5:08 p.m. R10 3 Campionessa (6 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Opie Bosson; she went to line with more to offer in a trial on 23 August at Taupo, and resumes in the $65,000 Open 1600 metres. She was impeccable last season, winning three times including the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) and finishing second in both the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and New Zealand Stakes (Gr. 1, 2050m), before a highly creditable sixth placing in the Group 1 Australian Cup. Versatile and genuine, she looks a top three prospect if she can secure a decent trip from barrier 10.  Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

5:08 p.m. R10 9 Fierce Flight (5 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Warren Kennedy; he ran home fine near the rail for a staying type over a sprint distance in a trial on 23 August at Taupo, and also resumes in the $65,000 Open 1600 metres. He ended his previous campaign winning the Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m) to remain unbeaten in two course attempts, has won four of last eight starts, and appears ready for a bold first-up effort from barrier one. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.00. 

Moonee Valley:

Weather: showery, track: Good4, rail: true. Showers forecast. 

6:15 p.m. (NZ time) R8 5 Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible – Berimbau) – Michael Dee; she secured a lovely spot in fourth before finishing strongly for second in a trial on 23 August at Taupo, and resumes in the $300,000 Mitty’s McEwen Stakes (Gr. 2, 1000m). She ended her previous campaign brilliantly winning the $1 million William Reid Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) here in March. A five time Group One winner, 13 wins from 1100m – 1600m, she takes this first step in preparing for Group One sprinting assignments, and rates a top three chance with good trip from outside gate (7). NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.25.