Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 19 horses entered on Saturday 16 December: Te Rapa and Trentham.  

Te Rapa: 

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:50 p.m. R1 2 Cognoscenti (2 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye) – Matt Cameron; he was held together in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and resumes in the $65,000 2YO 1100 metres. He finished third on debut in October at Hawera, the visor blinkers are on, he won a trial here, and is ideally drawn (2) to collect more valuable prize money required for the Karaka Millions - the first of a tangerine trio in the event. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $2.10. 

12:50 p.m. R1 3 Move To Strike (2 c I Am Invincibeel – No Evidence Needed) – Opie Bosson; he lengthened to stylishly win a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $65,000 2YO 1100 metres. He has looked very good winning all three trials to date and rates a strong top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $1.50 & $1.10.

12:50 p.m. R1 7 About Last Night (2 f Capitalist – Kissmelikearocksta) – Warren Kennedy; she did everything right during her debut victory in the Maiden 2YO 950 metres on 23 September at Tauranga, with Kennedy aboard. Owned by a ladies' partnership, she was freshened, and remained held together when winning well at the trials on 22 November at Taupo. A natural running two-year-old, she is perfectly drawn (4) to be a top three prospect fresh-up in the $65,000 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.25. 

1:25 p.m. R2 1 Tokyo Tycoon (3 g Satono Aladdin – All About The Coin) – Opie Bosson; he resumed with an impressive victory in the El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) on 9 September before finding the heavy ground too testing in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 30 September, both at Hastings. Not asked for much in a trial on 22 November at Taupo, he resumes in the $65,000 3YO 1200 metres. Outstanding during his two-year-old season, culminating in him being named Champion 2YO of the Year, he was the seventh consecutive winner for Te Akau in the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), and presents as a serious top three contender - the first of two resuming runners in the event for Te Akau. Fixed odds: $1.80 & $1.10.

1:25 p.m. R2 4 Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Warren Kennedy; she unleashed powerfully to cement a hat-trick in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 9 September at Hastings, was freshened, and then was held up with more to offer in a trial on 5 December at Waipa. She has all the right attributes to make a contest of the $65,000 3YO 1200 metres in a fresh up state. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.25. 

2:41 p.m. R4 3 Romancing The Moon (4 m El Roca – Underthemoonlight) – Warren Kennedy; she resumed with a top run for third in the Counties Bowl (Gr. 3, 1100m) on 25 November at Pukekohe, and contests the $120,000 J Swap Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m). Second to Legarto (Proisir) in the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) at her only course attempt, she won the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) last season, and is well positioned to make a major impact here - one of a stable quartet. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.60. 

2:41 p.m. R4 5 Wolverine (4 m Tivaci – Knew It) – Matt Cameron; she resumed running fourth in the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m) here on 11 November, and copped a tough trip in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 25 November at Pukekohe. A proven performer, she is looking to show her true colours in the $120,000 J Swap Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80. 

2:41 p.m. R4 6 Aris Aris (5 m Contributer – Irish Encore) – Warren Kennedy; she was swamped after leading when resuming in the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m) on 11 November, but was right back in business with a strong finish for second in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 2 December, both here at Te Rapa. Placed in four of five course attempts, she presents as a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

2:41 p.m. R4 9 Cognito (4 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Craig Grylls; he justified favouritism with a last to first victory in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 28 October, but was shuffled back before running the fastest last 600m (34.0) for a top third in the Fulton Family Stakes (Listed, 1500m) on 7 November, both at Pukekohe. The Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) winner last season, he is a first four chance if he can secure luck in the running from his wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

3:16 p.m. R5 1 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Opie Bosson; he resumed with a notable fifth off an economical trip in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 25 November at Pukekohe, and contests the $65,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. He is the equal highest rated runner carrying 60kg, and shapes to race well again if he emulates his previous effort at his first course attempt. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00. 

3:49 p.m. R6 1 Campionessa (6 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Opie Bosson; she presented in tremendous order when resuming with a huge effort to win the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 25 November at Pukekohe, and contests the $175,000 Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m). She brings a good course/distance record to the contest, winning Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) and finishing second in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), a quality mare, expect her to be right in the thick of things at the business end. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.30. 

4:59 p.m. R8 1 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Michael McNab; he produced a timely return to form when second in the Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) here on 2 December, and held his spot, as most did, in the unfortunate TAB Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) last Saturday at Trentham. A Group One winner, he has a very good course record, and also has the ability to race well in the $140,000 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.50.

5:34 p.m. R9 10 Treaty of Paris (4 g Tavistock – Echezeaux) – Opie Bosson; he ran home nicely for a staying horse over a sprint trip in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and resumes in the $65,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. He won his Maiden over 2000 metres, is set to step up in distance, but needs a lot to go his way from the wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

Trentham: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out 6 metres. 2mls rain forecast Friday and 11mls Saturday.  

1:45 p.m. R2 2 Dancarina (5 m Sebring – Dance for Me) – Joe Kamaruddin; she has been given time (28 days) since the Rating 75 1200 metres on NZ Cup Day (18 Nov.) at Riccarton, and contests the $45,000 Rating 75 1300 metres. Much better than her last two efforts may suggest, she is likely to appreciate the give in the ground, and receives opportunity to improve from barrier four. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.40. 

3:35 p.m. R5 1 Fierce Flight (5 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Johnathan Parkes; he produced a good fourth in the Open Handicap 2000 metres on 15 November, and ran home well for fifth when backing up in the Rating 82 2600 metres on NZ Cup Day (18 Nov.), both at Riccarton. Contesting the $50,000 Rating 83 2200 metres, he was second in the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) here last season at only his course attempt. Last season's Hawkes Bay Cup winner, he is going well and rates a top three chance despite carrying the top weight (60kg) - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:35 p.m. R5 4 Leaderboard (9 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy) – Joe Kamaruddin; he was good through the line for a staying horse over a sprint trip in a trial on 13 November at Waipa, and found the line strongly when resuming in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 30 November at Otaki. He won the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) here in January on a rain-affected track, however has the drawn outside (9) but nonetheless maps to finish well from back in the field. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70. 

4:45 p.m. R7 4 Mazzucato (3 f Tivaci – Yellen) – Lisa Allpress; she finished powerfully to win the 3YO 1400 metres on 15 November at Riccarton, and contests the $100,000 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). She is racing well with two wins from her last four starts and appeals as a top three chance - the first of a stable trio competing for black type honours. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

4:45 p.m. R7 8 My Lips Are Sealed (3 f Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Joe Kamaruddin; she ran home well for fourth in the O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1340m) on 2 December at Wanganui, and also contests the $100,000 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). She handled give in the ground with an easy fresh-up victory in September at Avondale, and appears capable of a bold effort if she can secure a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.50.

4:45 p.m. R7 11 Vivacious (3 f Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Johnathan Parkes; she found the line for third when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 3 November before surging through to win the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 29 November, both at Te Aroha. She brings good form to the $100,000 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and should race well but again, is one who will need things to go her way from her tricky gate (11). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.