Te Akau Midweek Trans-Tasman Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Wednesday 20 December: Ashburton, and Flemington (Melbourne). 

Ashburton: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast. 

2:04 p.m. R1 5 Beau Brummell (3 g Embellish – Fashion Forward) – Ulrika Holmquist; he finished fourth when trialling on 11 December at Ellerslie, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. His grand-dam Marie Claire (O’Reilly) was a talented stakes' winner with six victories from 1300m – 1600m. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

2:42 p.m. R2 8 Plenty O’ Style (3 g Embellish – Opulent) – Lily Sutherland (a2); he sustained a good run for third when trialling on 5 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. From a beautifully bred Keeper (Danehill) mare that Te Akau trained to win three races and finish fifth at Group Three level, he is aided by weight relief to 55kg. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

3:52 p.m. R4 16 Clearly Royal (3 f Eminent – Enhance) – Lily Sutherland (a2); she began awkwardly but stretched out nicely for fourth when trialling on 5 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Her dam stylishly won first her two starts over 1200 metres, and while this filly is likely to appreciate further, she is another aided by weight relief, carrying just 53.5kg. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

5:04 p.m. R6 3 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Lily Sutherland (a2);she  capped a hat-trick of seconds with victory in the Rating 65 2000 metres here on New Zealand Cup Day (18 Nov.), and then won the Rating 75 2100 metres by three lengths on 8 December at Riccarton (poly track). She enjoys weight relief to 56kg and warrants favouritism in the $25,000 Rating 75 2200 metres. Fixed odds: $1.80 & $1.20. 

6:19 p.m. R8 1 Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Lily Sutherland (a2); he produced a terrific performance under 60kg to win the Open Handicap 1400 metres here on New Zealand Cup Day (18 Nov.), with Sutherland aboard, and contests the $25,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres. He is assigned the same weight and looks a top three chance if he can secure a decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65. 

Flemington: 

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 14 metres. No rain forecast. 

6:00 p.m. (NZ time) 4:00 p.m. (Vic) R3 3 Sans Doute (4 m Not A Single Doubt – My Prerogative) – Celine Gaudray (a2); she did very well for third off a wide run in the Benchmark 70 1000 metres on 17 November at Moonee Valley, and contests the A$50,000 Benchmark 70 1000 metres. She will appreciate the weight relief to 58.5kg, and an emulation of her previous effort would position her as a top three contender with a decent trip from the tricky barrier (8). NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.35.