Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Saturday 11 December: Te Rapa and Awapuni.

Te Rapa:

Weather: overcast, track: Dead5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

11:54 a.m. R1 1 On the Bubbles  (3 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles) - Opie Bosson; completed a hat-trick in the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), giving Te Akau its fifth consecutive juvenile crown, and ended his two-year-old season winning the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), the fourth in a row for Te Akau. He held his spot solidly for third at the trials on 29 November at Matamata, and resumes in the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres - one of two in the race for the stable. Fixed odds: $1.70 & $1.10.

11:54 a.m. R1 2 Sophisticardo  (3 g Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Danielle Johnson; was notable when finishing fourth to stable-mate On the Bubbles (above) in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) last season and has been given time (66 days) since a strong finishing victory in a Rating 65 1200 metres at Taupo. On the bridle and good through the line at the trials on 15 November at Taupo, he unfortunately draws the outside barrier (8) but look for him getting home. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.30.

12:25 p.m. R2 2 Phantom Witness (5 g Star Witness - Fandom) - Opie Bosson; finished strongly for second on deteriorating, rain-affected slow ground in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 13 November at Tauranga, and since remained comfortably in control to win a trial on 29 November at Matamata. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 74 1200 metres, he rates a top three chance with luck from the tricky draw (13), providing he is appreciative of the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.80.

12:25 p.m. R2 4 Miss Aotearoa (4 m Per Incanto - Danex) - Craig Grylls; was back and pushed widest in a Rating 74 1400 metres here on 20 November and drops in distance for the $40,000 Rating 74 1200 metres. One of two stable representatives in this event, she is talented, but requires luck from yet another awkward, outside gate (14). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70.

1:00 p.m. R3 13 Taviarma (2 f Tavistock - Veearma) - Craig Grylls; drew widest, rallied forward three wide on the pace at the 500m and sustained a very good effort for a close second when trialling on 29 November at Matamata. She debuts in the $110,000 Hiddenbed Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) where she has drawn barrier four. By dual Group 1 winning stallion Tavistock (Montjeu), she is the first foal from the talented filly Veearma (Darci Brahma), winner from 1100m - 2100m. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $5.00.

2:10 p.m. R5 4 Brando  (4 h Savabeel - Saoirse) - Craig Grylls; coped with rain-affected heavy footing and the top weight (60kg) for a solid third in an Open 1400 metres on 13 November at Tauranga. Contesting the $80,000 J Swap Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m), as opposed to the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes after the race was deferred, he won here fresh-up over 1200 metres in October and has the ability to compete from barrier three. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.80.

2:47 p.m. R6 2 The Mighty Spar (4 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Opie Bosson; found the line solidly for fourth on rain-affected, heavy ground when resuming in a Rating 65 1200 metres on 13 November at Tauranga, and steps up in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He powered home from last to win a Maiden 1400 metres in March at Matamata, has placed in both starts up in grade here before spelling, and rates a top four contender with luck from a tricky draw (12). Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.

3.22 p.m. R7 4 Mai Tai  (5 m Atlante - Tropical Punch)- Opie Bosson; dug deep to prevail in a close finish in an Open 1400 metres on 23 October at Matamata, and certainly was not disgraced when fifth on rain-affected, heavy ground in the Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 13 November at Tauranga. A winner over 1400 metres at the corresponding meeting last year, she rates a top three prospect in the $110,000 Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.30.

5:09 p.m. R10 6 Prise De Fer (6 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; freshened since a top third to stable-mate Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) in Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 16 October at Hastings, and was good late at the trials on 29 November at Matamata. He has the ability to act fresh, is a Group Two winner and twice Group One placed at the mile, he should race well from barrier one in $220,000 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

Awapuni:

Weather: cloudy, track: Slow9, rail: out 4 metres. 12mls rain forecast Saturday.

1:57 p.m. R5 11 Perfect Scenario  (4 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); recorded consecutive wins last October and spelled following the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) in March. He remained back when resuming in a Rating 74 1300 metres on 6 November at Te Rapa, worked home fine when trialling on 29 November at Matamata, and carries a light weight (52kg) in the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. Placed at both course attempts, including on slow going, and being already stakes' placed suggests a competitive showing. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.50.

3:47 p.m. R8 1 Belle En Rouge  (3 f Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); won by three lengths at Taupo, then rose in class with an eye-catching third to stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) at Matamata, and was a terrific third to stable-mate The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) in 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) - providing a Te Akau first four - on 13 November at Riccarton. She has top three claims in the $80,000 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), drawn barrier five as she chases further valuable NZB Filly of the Year points. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.

4:57 p.m. R10 5 Devoted  (4 g Contributer - Mapmaker) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); got back from barrier one when resuming in a Rating 65 1300 metres on 24 November at Tauranga, and steps up in $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He drew out to win comfortably on debut over 1600 metres in April at Avondale, has weight relief to 56kgs, and should race well with the right trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.