Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered on Saturday 15 March: Tauranga and Wanganui.   

Tauranga:

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 2 metres 1000m – 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast.

2:10 p.m. R4 2 Altari (3 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Ryan Elliot; he got back on the inner, was seven lengths off the leaders at the 600m mark, then made ground for fifth and was good through the line in a trial on 5 March at Taupo. Resuming in the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres, he was an impressive debut winning two-year-old, finished a strong second fresh-up this season, and has been a trial winner on the course. He does perform well in a fresh condition and from the handy barrier (2) he can be right in the finish - the first of two runners for the stable in the race. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.60.

2:10 p.m. R4 4 I Am Nutz (3 g I Am Invincible – Pecans) – Craig Grylls; he has been given time (31 days) since breaking through in the Maiden 1150 metres on 12 February at Te Aroha, and also contests the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres. He raced well in both starts before winning with a very good final sectional (33.9 last 600m), and he too is more than capable of finishing in the top three if things go his way from a slight tricky gate (8). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.85. 

2:53 p.m. R5 1 Insatiable (5 g All Too Hard – All Day Baby) – Craig Grylls; the first of two stable runners in this event, he ran the fastest last 600m (31.5) for a close third in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres on 2 March at Trentham, and contests the corresponding event. He has been racing very well this campaign, including winning over 1200 metres, and while he has top weight to carry (60kg), he is well drawn (4) and can figure in the finish.  Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.75.

2:53 p.m. R5 4 Pokuru Gold (4 g Darci Brahma – Pokuru Nugget) – Vinnie Colgan; he was held up in the straight and got through late with a gutsy finish for fourth in a trial on 5 March at Taupo. Resuming in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, while he races here out of his rightful grade, he has recorded three wins from four starts, and has the talent to pose a top three threat fresh-up. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.70.

3:27 p.m. R6 3 Treaty of Paris (5 g Tavistock – Echezeaux) – Craig Grylls; he got back last from the outside gate (14) and understandably finished midfield in the Rating 75 2000 metres on 15 February at Matamata, won by subsequent winning stable-mate Balance Of Power (Almanzor). Contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 2100 metres, he is the winner of four races from 2000m – 2200m, meets small but select field and seeks continued improvement as he heads towards a winter campaign. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.20.

4:02 p.m. R7 4 What You Wish For (4 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Craig Grylls; he quickened off an economical trip to win the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) in a tenacious display on 15 February at Matamata, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $150,000 Group 2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy 1600m.  A winner over 1300m and 1600m earlier in season, he was runner-up at his only course attempt, brings top form to the feature, and possesses the ability to threaten with luck from  his wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $9.50 & $3.20.

4:02 p.m. R7 8 Wild Night (5 g Vanbrugh – Supreme) – Warren Kennedy; he was patiently ridden back in the field, was five lengths off the leaders at the 600m, circled widest rounding the home turn, and closed solidly for fourth in a trial on 5 March at Taupo. Alos contesting the $150,000 Group 2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy, he beat smart field here earlier in season, and at this best, will certainly be competitive. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.70.

Wanganui:

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

12:45 p.m. R1 4 Cease And Desist (2 c Zoustar – No Evidence Needed) – unfixed; he was caught three-wide, let stride to the lead inside the 800m, tackled nearing home turn, and sustained a strong gallop for a close second in a trial on 5 March at Taupo. Debuting in the $40,000 2YO 1200 metres, he is the half-brother to Group 1 winning stable-mate Move To Strike (I Am Invincible), has been first and second in his two trials, and while the trip away is expected to benefit him, he still looks a top three prospect from barrier one. Fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.55.

4:45 p.m. R8 6 Lady Of Court (4 m Savabeel – Are There Any) – Courtney Barnes; she won the Rating 60 1400 metres after leading on 26 February at Taupo, and is one of two from the stable contesting the $40,000 Rating 65 1340 metres. She deserved that win after recording two solid second placings prior, scored with blinkers on, and is ideally drawn (5) to continue that good form. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

4:45 p.m. R8 7 Santarelli (4 m Darci Brahma – Pennacchio) – Jonathan Riddell; she overcame a tough trip to win the Maiden 1360 metres in a tough effort here on 21 February, and likewise contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1340 metres. She validated her earlier form shown when winning, and is more than capable of delivering a top three result here if she can navigate her wide gate (10). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.60.