Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview
6 March, 2020
Te Akau New Zealand has eight horses racing on Saturday 7 March: Ellerslie and Trentham.
Ellerslie:
Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 3 metres from 1000m - 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast.
12.45 p.m. R1 4 Savy Yong Blonk (4 m Savabeel - Ampin) - Opie Bosson; impressed here under 59kgs in the Rating 72 2100 metres on 7 December and followed with a terrific second in the City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 1 January. Freshened since, she worked home comfortably into third when trialling over 1200 metres on 25 February at Avondale, and capable of a bold showing from barrier two in the $50,000 Royal Descent Stakes (Fillies & Mares, 1600m). Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.20.
3.40 p.m. R6 1 Cool Aza Beel (2 c Savabeel - Cool ‘N' Sassy) - Opie Bosson; recorded a strong win in the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) to give Te Akau a four-peat in the iconic race, following Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage (Fastnet Rock), and $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) winner Probabeel (Savabeel). Although hindered on testing (Slow7) footing when second to stable-mate Need I Say More (No Nay Never) in the Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 22 February at Matamata, he warrants favouritism in the $200,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), a race Te Akau has won in three of the last four years. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.05.
4.15 p.m. R7 1 Age of Fire (5 g Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Chelsea Burdan (a3); spelled after racing in Australia, trialled well for a second and two firsts, respectively, and resumes in the $50,000 Rating 82 1200 metres. A Group One winner (Levin Classic, 1600m) purchased by David Ellis as a yearling at Sydney, he won here at his only attempt (1400m) and ideally placed to resume with weight relief to 58kgs. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.00.
4.15 p.m. R7 5 She's Not Bad (5 m He's Remarkable - Andra) - Opie Bosson; produced a notable effort in the Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 11 January at Trentham, and freshened since she contests the $50,000 Rating 82 1200 metres. The winner of five from 13, she won a trial well on 25 February at Avondale, but requires luck from the outside gate (13) to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.60.
4.55 p.m. R8 4 Prise De Fer (4 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Johnathan Parkes; was brilliant winning five in the row, including the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, and stepped up with a terrific second to previous dual Group One winning stable-mate and race rival Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 22 February at Otaki. He continues to race extremely well and has each way claims in a top field for the $200,000 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.15.
4.14 p.m. R7 8 Avantage (4 m Fastnet Rock - Asavant) - Opie Bosson; exuded class and courage to win the Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m) in January at Trentham, finished strongly for fourth to stable-mate Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle) in the BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 8 February at Te Rapa, and stepped up with victory in the Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 22 February at Otaki. She has both the pedigree and draw (1) to handle increased distance in the $200,000 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m). Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.50.
Trentham:
Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast.
1.35 p.m. R3 7 Pazienza (2 f Written Tycoon - Gypsy Chimes) - Rosie Myers; debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1000 metres, following two trials for two seconds - most recently closing the gap stylishly over 800 metres on 11 February at Te Teko. A half-sister to stable-mate and stakes performed winner Folk Dress (Pierro), she seems capable of a very good first-up run from barrier three.
2.10 p.m. R4 7 Top Brass (4 g Epaulette - Highlight) - Dylan Turner; remained unbeaten in two starts when defeating subsequent Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) placed stable-mate Lilikoi (Charm Spirit) on 9 October at Taupo, and following a spell he resumes in the $25,000 Rating 72 1200 metres. He recorded a smart win at the trials on 25 February at Avondale, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.10 & $1.40.
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