Te Akau Massive Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 26 horses entered on Saturday 27 January: Ellerslie, Trentham, and Riccarton.  

Ellerslie:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

4:19 p.m. R1 4 Star Of Justice (3 f Justify – Fair Isle) – Opie Bosson; she finished close up while appearing unsuited on the soft ground when trialling on 16 January at Tauranga, and resumes in the $225,000 Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy 1200m. She showed ability with two wins from four starts in her first campaign, including the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes 1400m, and has drawn beautifully (2) to receive a favourable trip - one of two Te Akau runners. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $2.70.

4:19 p.m. R1 7 Egyptian Queen (3 f Zoustar – Hieroglyphics) – Blake Shinn; she found the line solidly for fourth to race rival Merchant Queen in the 3YO 1200 metres here on 14 January, and also contests the $225,000 Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy 1200m. Stakes' placed prior in the Listed O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes 1340m, she rates a top four chance but requires luck from her wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $31.00 & $4.50.

4:54 p.m. R2 1 Maven Belle (4 m Burgundy – Doyenne) – Opie Bosson; she closed well for fifth in the Group 1 Sistema Railway 1200m on 1 January at Pukekohe, and contests the $225,000 Group 3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap 1200m. A former Champion Two-Year-Old and Group 1 winner, she has a very good record over this distance, and rates a top three chance from barrier five - the first of three in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.40.

4:54 p.m. R2 2 Romancing The Moon (4 m El Roca – Underthemoonlight) – Blake Shinn; she displayed her renowned tenacity to keep her head in front when trialling on 16 January at Tauranga, and resumes in the $225,000 Group 3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap. Although she was the Group 1 Levin Classic 1600m winner last season, she has a very good 1200-metre record, and is capable of a first three finish of she can secure a decent trip from the outside gate (9). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.40. 

4:54 p.m. R2 5 Petrucci (4 m I Am Invincible – Via Napoli) – Michael McNab; she ran the fastest last 600m (32.7) on the day, coming from last, to win the Open Handicap 1200 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. Likewise contesting the $225,000 Group 3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap, she has recorded two wins this campaign and brings prime form to give this field a shake - if she can navigate the barrier eight draw. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.

5:29 p.m. R3 4 Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel – High Fashion) – Opie Bosson; she sustained a strong finish for third when trialling on 16 January at Tauranga, and resumes in the $500,000 Group 2 Westbury Classic 1400m. She came from last of 16 with an incredible performance to win the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes over 1400m during Cup Week (15 Nov.) at Riccarton, and has definite first four claims. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

6:04 p.m. R4 4 Cool ‘N’ Fast (2 c Savabeel – Cool ‘N’ Sassy) – Opie Bosson; he drew clear to win after co-leading a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and flattened out with massive bounds for a victorious debut in the 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. He's the full brother to Te Akau trained Karaka Million 2YO winner Cool Aza Beel, now at stud in Australia. A firm top three prospect, the blinkers goi on, and he jumps from the handy barrier four in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) - the first of a tangerine contingent of four attempting to make it eight straight. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.  

6:04 p.m. R4 7 When Stars Align (2 c Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Michael McNab; he capped good trials' form with a debut victory in the 2YO 1100 metres on 23 December at Trentham, when flattening out nicely over the concluding stages to beat subsequent winning stable-mate Unbridled Joy. He shapes to race well if he can secure a decent trip from barrier nine in the Karaka Millions 2YO - the second of our tangerine quartet. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $4.80. 

6:04 p.m. R4 10 Bellatrix Star (2 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party) – Warren Kennedy; she turned the tables on race rival and Karaka 2YO Million favourite Velocious, after finishing second in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes, when winning Group 2  Eclipse Stakes over 1200m on 1 January at Pukekohe. Handily drawn (6) in the Karaka Millions 2YO, she brings right record deserve second favouritism. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80. 

6:04 p.m. R4 15 Damask Rose (2 f Savabeel – Sombreuil) – Blake Shine; she wound up nicely for third in her sole trial on 5 December at Waipa, before a debut victory in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth. With the disappointing scratching of Maracatu, she makes the field in the Karaka Millions 2YO and will jump from the coveted ace draw. $16.00 & $4.50. 

Te Akau has won the Karaka Millions 2YO seven consecutive times, including last year with Tokyo Tycoon (below), and seek its eighth consecutive victory. 

6:44 p.m. R5 4 Wild Night (4 g Vanbrugh – Supreme) – Opie Bosson; he returned to winning form in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, before a 'run to forget' in the Open Handicap 1400 metres here on 14 January where he clipped heels. The Group 2 Sarten Memorial and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes winner, he receives the prime opportunity to bounce back from barrier one in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (4YO, 1600m) - the first of a Te Akau trained trio. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.20. 

6:44 p.m. R5 7 Cognito (4 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – James McDonald; recorded big effort for close sixth in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Pukekohe, and likewise contests the $1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (4YO, 1600m). In good form this season, including fastest last 600m when winning and third in the Fulton Family Stakes (Listed, 1500m), he shapes to race competitively from barrier three. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $4.50. 

6:44 p.m. R5 8 Accidental Tourist (4 g Telperion – Megara) – Craig Grylls; he produced a top run a for close second in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 12 January at Tauranga, and also contests the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic. Stakes' placed last season, he has shown impressive ability to win four races, and brings the right form to race competitively. Fixed odds: $61.00 & $7.50. 

7:24 p.m. R6 2 Tokyo Tycoon (3 g Satono Aladdin – All About The Coin) – Opie Bosson; he rounded off well over a sprint trip when trialling on 16 January at Tauranga, and contests the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m). The hugely impressive Karaka Millions 2YO winner last season, he was named Champion Two-Year-Old, appears ready to stretch in trip and is ideally drawn (3) to make an impact - the first of a stable duo. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80. 

7:24 p.m. R6 3 Talisker (3 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Warren Kennedy; he kept giving for a close second to dual Group One winner Legarto in a trial on 2 January at Tauranga, and resumed with close third in the 3YO 1500 metres here on 14 January. He capped a hat-trick of wins with a terrific effort for second in the Group 1 2000 Guineas during Cup Week at Riccarton, and is certainly capable of a bold effort in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50. 

Trentham:

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 6 metres. 10mls rain forecast Saturday. 

3:28 p.m. R5 5 Aotea Lad (7 g Savabeel – Corsage) – Jess Allen (a3); he raced well for a close fourth in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres on 12 January at Tauranga, and contests the corresponding event. A Group Two winner here on debut at his only course attempt, he enjoys weight relief to 54.5kg, and presents as a top three chance despite drawing the outside gate (6) in small field. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.35. 

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. 5mls rain forecast Saturday. 

12:15 p.m. R1 14 Tranquila (3 f Iffraaj – Equanimity) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she did well for a close fifth in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 10 January at Matamata, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. There Te Akau trained dam Equanimity impressed winning to 1400 metres, and was named NZB Filly of the Year, while her grand-dam Insouciant won the Group 1 1000 Guineas here, and she rates a top three chance from barrier three - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70. 

12:15 p.m. R1 16 Clearly Royal (3 f Eminent – Enhance) – Joe Kamaruddin; she remained back when debuting in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1200 metres on 28 December at Timaru, and also contests the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She should appreciate extra distance, but requires luck from the car park alley (17). Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00. 

12:47 p.m. R2 2 Fellini (4 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Samantha Wynne; he ran home okay for fifth to stable-mate and race rival Stella Splendida (below) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 30 December at Taupo, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. A consistent performer, he is stakes' placed, and has firm first four claims ion he can gain a decent trip from barrier 10 - in a race featuring another stable duo. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

12:47 p.m. R2 5 Stella Splendida (4 m Zoustar – Scintillula) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she bounced back to winning form in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 December at New Plymouth, and won the corresponding event on 30 December at Taupo. Impressive winning four from eight, she can really make an impact here but is another drawn to disadvantage (1). Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80. 

1:19 p.m. R3 4 Angels Wings (4 m Heroic Valour – Gowana) – Joe Kamaruddin; she finished fifth off a wide run in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 28 December at Timaru, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1100 metres. She has won twice to 1300 metres, is a capable mare, and is ideally drawn (5) to give this field a shake - one of two in the line-up for the team. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

1:19 p.m. R3 10 Superbly Written (3 f Written Tycoon – Supara) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she worked nicely to win a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and tracked the leaders home when resuming for fourth in the 3YO 1200 metres on 23 December at Trentham. She is already a winner in only four starts, brings good form, has blinkers on, and she is a top three prospect for sure but only with things going her way from the wide draw (11) in the $40,000 Rating 65 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80. 

4:10 p.m. R8 5 Millefiori (5 m Iffraaj – Miss Bluebell) – Joe Kamaruddin; she was never off the bridle when winning a trial on 11 January at Ashburton, and contests the $80,000 Speight’s Timaru Stakes (Listed, 1400m). She did well to finish fourth to stable-mate Kai (below) in the Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Wingatui, and is ideally weighted (54.5kg) to deliver a black type result. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00. 

4:10 p.m. R8 7 Kai (5 m Ocean Park – Brilliant Blush) – Kylie Williams; she engulfed her rivals on heavy footing to win the Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Wingatui, with Williams aboard, and sustained good run without pressure for third in trial on 11 January at Ashburton. Good mixture of talent and tenacity, she rates a top three chance from barrier three in the $80,000 Speight’s Timaru Stakes (Listed, 1400m) where the two mares do battle again. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

4:45 p.m. R9 3 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he did well for sixth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, won by stable-mate Francee, and was held up before finishing fifth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 12 January at Tauranga, won by stable-mate and subsequent runner-up Inca Belle. He has definite first four claims but he;'s another that has a shocking draw to overcome (17) in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.55.