Te Akau Melbourne Cup Day Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday 1 November):  Pukekohe, and Wingatui.

Pukekohe:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: true. Showers forecast.

4:38 p.m. R8 9 Belle En Rouge (4 m Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she was given an easy time when getting back in the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) on 8 October, and since went well in an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa. She scored a brilliant New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) victory in March at Trentham - tying with second placed stable-mate Self Obsession (below) for New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year honours. Much depends on handling the heavy ground in the $90,000 Karaka Classic (Listed, 1500m). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

4:38 p.m. R8 11 Self Obsession (4 m Shocking - Mawaakib) - Vinnie Colgan; she was strong through line from second last when resuming in the Open 1400 metres on 22 October at Te Rapa, and also contests the $90,000 Karaka Classic (Listed, 1500m). She ended her previous campaign finishing second to stable-mate Belle En Rouge (above) in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) - both tying for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title. She won the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on soft ground, has genuine attributes, and should race well if appreciative of the footing. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.

5:24 p.m. R9 2 Pure Imagination (4 g Darci Brahma - Granadilla) - Craig Grylls; he resumed with a notable effort in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 12 October at Avondale, in which second placed stable-mate Sophisticardo (Burgundy) has since won. Twice a winner over 1200 metres on dead and slow footing, he will need to appreciate the going however in the $65,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

6:01 p.m. R10 10 Polly Plum (4 m Xtravagant - Herstory) - Michael McNab; she closed the margin nicely when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 30 September at Te Rapa, and ran the equal fastest last 600m (34.8) for second in the Rating 65 1215 metres on 16 October at Rotorua. She is going well and appears capable of a solid showing if she handles the track conditions in the $65,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

Wingatui:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy9, rail: true. No rain forecast.

1:06 p.m. R4 6 Zouluminous (6 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Samantha Wynne; she was wide throughout in the Ashburton Cup (Open, 1600m) on 15 October, and contests the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. Runner-up in the South Island Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) last season, she won over a mile here at her only course attempt, but all five of her wins have come on good ground and she needs to cop track conditions. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.65.

3:47 p.m. R8 12 Irish Red (4 m Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Samantha Wynne; she resumed with victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 25 August at Riccarton (poly-track), and most recently finished fourth to stable-mate Aris Aris (Contributer) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 October at Timaru. Stakes' placed three times, including here, she will still need to cope with track conditions in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.