Te Akau New Year's Day Trans-Tasman Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on 1 January: Pukekohe, and Terang (Victoria). 

Pukekohe: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: out 3 metres. 16mls rain forecast 31st, no rain 1st. 

1:20 p.m. R3 1 Move To Strike (2 c I Am Invincible – No Evidence Needed) – Opie Bosson; he stylishly won a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and raced up to his looks when winning impressively on debut in the 2YO 1100 metres on Waikato Cup Day (16 Dec.) at Te Rapa. He rates a top three chance in the $225,000 Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) the first of a stable juvenile duo competing in the event. Fixed odds: $1.45 & $1.05.

1:20 p.m. R3 6 Bellatrix Star (2 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party) – Warren Kennedy; she finished third to race rival Velocious (Written Tycoon) when resuming in the 2YO 1000 metres on 11 November at Te Rapa, and was second to her again in the Counties Challenge Stakes (Listed, 1100m) here on 25 November. She too appears a top three chance in the $225,000 Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.00. 

2:30 p.m. R5 3 My Lips Are Sealed (3 f Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Opie Bosson; she ran home well for fourth in the O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1340m) on 2 December at Wanganui, and dug deep for a nose margin defeat by race rival Still Bangon (Satono Aladdin) in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 16 December at Trentham. She presents as a serious top three contender in the $225,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr. 2, 2050m) - the first of two Te Akau fillies stepping out in the 3YO re-named filly feature. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.30. 

2:30 p.m. R5 6 Court Of Appeal (3 f Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Jason Collett; she produced a notable finish for third in the Pearl Series Maiden 1600 metres on 29 November at Te Aroha, and sustained a strong finish for second in the Maiden 2000 metres on 22 December at Matamata. From a Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare, she positions to race well from barrier one in the $225,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr. 2, 2050m). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.20.

4:16 p.m. R8 9 Maven Belle (4 m Burgundy – Doyenne) – Matt Cameron; she quickened to lead and win in classy fashion when trialling on 22 December at Matamata. She ran the fastest last 600m (34.0) on day for second to race rival Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) when resuming in the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m) on 11 November at Te Rapa. She has been kept fresh, looked good in her recent trial, is unbeaten in two course attempts, was the Champion Two-Year-Old of her season, and has top three credentials in the $450,000 Sistema Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.70. 

4:51 p.m. R9 5 Aris Aris (5 m Contributer – Irish Encore) – Matt Cameron; she was back in business with a strong finish for second in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 2 December and ran well for fifth in the J Swap Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 16 December, both at Te Rapa. Ideally drawn (3), she gets her chance for valuable black type as she steps up in trip for the $225,000 Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) - the first of two for the team lining up in the Group 2 feature. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $6.50. 

4:51 p.m. R9 6 Cognito (4 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Niranjan Parmar (a); he recorded an impressive last to first victory in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 28 October and ran the fastest last 600m (34.0) for third in the Fulton Family Stakes (Listed, 1500m) on 7 November, both at Pukekohe. It was another big run from last to finish fourth in the J Swap Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 16 December at Te Rapa, and while he is racing very well, he requires luck from the wide draw (12) in the $225,000 Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

Terang:

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

3:16 p.m. (NZ time) - 5:16 p.m. (Vic) R1 4 Fleet Footed (3 g Zoustar – Fox Swift) – Tahlia Hope; he has been given time (32 days) since the 3YO Maiden 1103 metres on 20 November at Kyneton, and contests the $20,000 Maiden 1000 metres. He is from a stakes' winning Foxwedge (Fastnet Rock) mare that won three times to 1200 metres, and he receives the opportunity to show improvement from the handy barrier three.