Te Akau Midweek Trans-Tasman Preview
8 May, 2024
Te Akau Racing has ten horses entered on Wednesday 8 May at Matamata, and Sandown, Melbourne.
Matamata:
Weather: showery, track: Heavy8, rail: out 9.5 metres. No rain forecast.
11:27 a.m. R2 8 Akenehi (3 f Fastnet Rock – Igraine) – Michael McNab; she sustained a strong gallop throughout to finish second in a trial on 30 April at Waipa, and resumes in the $17,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Placed here three times during four starts in her first campaign, she has been very consistent in trials and races, and has the ability to act fresh. Her dam impressed winning on soft ground, and the filly rates a top three chance from barrier five - the first of three contesting the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.
11:27 a.m. R2 9 Bella Voce (3 f Fastnet Rock – Keep On Singing) – Wiremu Pinn; she wound up in the straight with a strong finish for fourth in a trial on 30 April at Waipa, and she also resumes in the $17,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Another Fastnet Rock filly like her stablemate above, she ran the fastest last 600m (34.5) for second on debut over 1200 metres in December at Hastings, and then was fourth over 1400 metres at Tauranga. She is ideally drawn (2) to also be a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.95.
11:27 a.m. R2 10 Not Straight Laced (3 f Turn Me Loose – Clos De Tart) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she ran home well down the outside in a trial on 30 April at Waipa, and likewise resumes in the $17,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. She finished strongly for second over 1200 metres here in January at Matamata, and was then spelled following her next start when tightened for room over 1200 metres at Te Rapa. From a family that handles give in ground, she has first four claims if she can secure a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.10.
12:34 p.m. R4 1 Stonybreck (4 g Tavistock – Fair Isle) – Tayla Melvin (a4); he remained back over a sprint trip but was good through the line when trialling on 30 April at Waipa, and resumes in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. With weight relief to 57kg, this winner of five from 11 to 1550 metres acts well when fresh, and is a top four prospect with any luck from his wide draw (11) - the first of a stable trio engaged in the event. Fixed odds: $4.90 & $1.95.
12:34 p.m. R4 2 Accidental Tourist (4 g Telperion – Megara) – Jess Allen (a3); he remained back but did his best work late through the line when trialling on 30 April at Waipa, and also resumes in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. The apprentice engagement means he too enjoys weight relief (to 57.5kg). He was impressive winning four times to 1600 metres, with three from four on heavy ground - he acts well in a fresh state and is a serious top four contender from barrier six. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.90.
12:34 p.m. R4 5 Kabugee (4 g Satono Aladdin – Kabuki) – Opie Bosson; he remained back but stretched out nicely through the line when trialling on 30 April at Waipa, and is another to resume in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. All three of his wins have come first up, he's a good athlete that handles give in ground, and he looks a serious top four chance but is another who need things to go his way from a wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.
1:09 p.m. R5 6 The Sky Above (3 f American Pharoah – Blue Blue Sky) – Opie Bosson; she ran the fastest last 600m (35.8) for second in the $17,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) here on 19 April, and contests the corresponding event. She finished third in the same race here on 27 March, with two notable fourths prior, and presents as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.05.
1:44 p.m. R6 3 Baronet (4 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Opie Bosson; he positioned handily and fought hard for a close third in the Rating 60 1200 metres here on 26 April, and contests the $17,000 Rating 60 1400 metres. Racing in good form, he is a course winner on heavy going, and can deliver a first four finish if he too can snare a good dose of luck from his wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.
2:54 p.m. R8 9 Hayate (5 m Maurice – Vamoose) – Opie Bosson; she remained back and wide after drawing barrier 13 in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres here on 19 April, and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. She finished third here prior in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 27 March, has been a winner on heavy ground, and with a good course record on her side, she is capable of improvement from barrier six. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.
Sandown:
Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 9 metres. No rain forecast.
5:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:55 p.m. (Vic) R7 1 Prismatic (5 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Jaylah Kennedy (a3); he ran home solidly for sixth after being hemmed up in the Benchmark 78 2400 metres on 13 April at Bendigo, and produced a very solid performance for fourth in the Benchmark 84 2500 metres on 25 April at Flemington. He drops in grade for the A$50,000 Benchmark 64 2400 metres, enjoys weight relief to 59.5kg, is racing well and shapes to continue his good form from barrier four. NZ TAB fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.60.