Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Saturday 30 November at Ellerslie and Wanganui.  

Ellerslie: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 2.5 metres. 3mls rain forecast Saturday. 

1:02 p.m. R2 4 High Roller (3 g Ace High – Miss Thorn) – Craig Grylls; he ran on well over the concluding stages for fourth in a trial on 18 November at Waipa, and debuts in the $30,000 Maiden 1300 metres. He is from a Te Akau trained stakes' placed mare that won five races to 1400 metres, and shapes to prove competitive first-up from barrier five. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.05.

1:38 p.m. R3 6 In Haste (2 f Snitzel – Prompt) – Craig Grylls; she displayed a smart turn of foot mid-straight to stylishly win a trial on 18 November at Waipa, and debuts in the $30,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. In training for the TAB Racing Club and Newgate Stud Farm with SF Bloodstock LLC, she showed plenty of precocity in that trial and is ideally drawn (4) to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.20.

2:57 p.m. R5 1 Altari (3 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Vinnie Colgan; he fought solidly after leading for fifth in the 3YO 1400 metres here on Melbourne Cup Day (5 Nov.), and contests the $100,000 Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes over 1500m. He had closed strongly when resuming prior over 1400 metres at Te Rapa, was impressive winning last season as two-year-old on debut, and looks a top three contender jumping from a good barrier (5). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.05. 

4:07 p.m. R7 1 Midnight Blue (8 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Craig Grylls; he resumed with victory in the A$200,000 Listed Seymour Cup over the mile on 13 October at Seymour (Victoria), and stayed on for sixth in the Listed Furphy Plate 1800m on Melbourne Cup Day (5 Nov.) at Flemington. Over from Te Akau's stable at Cranbourne, he has his first opportunity to test his mettle in the $120,000 Group 3 Bayleys Great Northern Challenge Stakes over 1600m, his first racing experience right handed. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.70.

Wanganui: 

Weather: cloudy, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

3:40 p.m. R6 5 Celestial Wonder (3 f Xtravagant – Meteoric Lass) – Wiremu Pinn; she fought hard for a close second in the Maiden 1200 metres on 30 October and quickened away to impressively win the Maiden 3YO 1150 metres on 12 November, both at Te Aroha. Stepping up in the $80,000 Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes 1340m, while she undoubtedly meets a stronger field, the manner in which she won her last start underlines the fact that she deserves her opportunity for black type at this early stage of her racing career.  Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.35.