Te Akau North South Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 21 horses entered on Saturday 25 October: Ellerslie and Riccarton. ?

Ellerslie: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 8.5 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:47 p.m. R1 6 Sword Of Stars (2 f Sword Of State – Angelica Hall) – Craig Grylls; she began well to position outside the leader, quickened in the home straight, and kept finding for a close second in stylish trial performance on 26 August at Waipa. Debuting in the $45,000 2YO 1100 metres, she is by Champion Two-Year-Old Sword Of State (Snitzel) who was also bought by David Ellis CNZM - and she is out of dual winning mare, both Te Akau trained. Displayed athleticism in her trial, and from a terrific family, she is promised for a strong debut. Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.10.

1:22 p.m. R2 10 Vickezzlastcall (4 m Wrote – Vickezzchardonnay) – Craig Grylls; she recorded a sound victory on Soft7 footing in the Rating 65 2100 metres on 1 October at Tauranga, and contests the $55,000 Rating 75 2200 metres. She has delivered two wins on yielding ground, from her five starts, and this is a prime opportunity to make the most of the better ground.  Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.95. 

1:57 p.m. R3 13 Belle Cheval (3 f Savabeel – Keepa Cheval) – Craig Grylls; she came from beyond midfield with a strong finish for third when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres on 10 October at Taupo, and contests the $30,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. The half-sister to triple Group One winner Bostonian (Jimmy Choux), she has side winkers on, and has first four claims if last season’s champion rider can snare some luck from her wide gate (11).  Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.60. 

2:32 p.m. R4 6 Celestial Wonder (4 m Xtravagant – Meteoric Lass) – Craig Grylls; she overcame the outside gate when resuming with smashing win in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 20 September, and has since had an exhibition gallop on the course last Saturday. Contesting the $65,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, she is putting together a top race record with three wins and three seconds from just seven starts. She remains unbeaten in two starts on this course, and while she does meet a strong field, she brings the right form to make an impact here from the one alley.  Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.30. 

3:43 p.m. R6 2 Midnight Blue (9 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Corentin Berge; he looked good in an exhibition gallop on course last Saturday, also with Berge aboard, and resumes in the $65,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres. The winner of seven races (1600m – 2400m), he is also a Group and Listed winner, and is preparing for staying assignments. Notwithstanding that, he does have the ability to race well in a fresh state but is another who will need a lot to go his way from his wide gate (11) - the first of two starters in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $5.50. 

3:43 p.m. R6 5 What You Wish For (5 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Craig Grylls; he met a check early in the straight and finished back when resuming in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Contesting the $65,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres, he is a solid Group performer, is suited  to stepping up in distance, and is ideally drawn (6) to be competitive. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

4:18 p.m. R7 2 Top Shelf (4 m Savabeel – Saoirse) – Craig Grylls; she resumed with a good effort for second in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 1 October at Tauranga, and contests the $55,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. She won her Maiden over 1600 metres, finished second in the Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m), and has a decent draw (6) to see her rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.95. 

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 7 metres to 1000 metres and 10 metres to winning post. No rain forecast. 

12:07 p.m. R2 10 One True King (3 g King’s Legacy – Chicharita) – Opie Bosson; he worked forward from a wide draw (15) to race outside the leader and fought hard for a close third when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres on 11 October at Ashburton. Contesting the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres, the side winkers are on, and after his good first-up effort, he looks more than capable to race well again (there are limited shares still available in him too). Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.45.

12:37 p.m. R3 1 Out Of The Blue (2 g Tivaci – Cornflower Blue) – Opie Bosson; he recorded a smart debut victory in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres here on 27 September, and contests the $40,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 800 metres. He won by two lengths last time and warrants favouritism for his large group of passionate owners in The Tangerine Army.. Fixed odds: $1.65 & $1.05.

1:42 p.m. R5 3 Vivacious (5 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Sage Duric (a3); the first of a Te Akau quartet lining up in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, she travelled fifth on the inner and held a similar position in straight over a sprint trip when trialling here on 29 September. Resuming in this race, she recorded back-to-back poly-track course victories to 1400 metres in May/June, will appreciate the weight relief to 55kg, definitely has the ability to act fresh and is perfectly drawn (2). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80.

1:42 p.m. R5 6 Legally Binding (4 g Exceedance – Legal Eagle) – Opie Bosson; he was claimed late (second) when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 30 August, and worked to the lead at a genuine pace when finishing second in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 9 October at Timaru, won by race rival Graeme John. Also contesting the Rating 75 1200 metres, he has already notched up two wins and two seconds from only five starts, and rates a top three contender from barrier four. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.60. 

1:42 p.m. R5 9 Hooray For Harry (4 g Harry Angel – Here We Come) – Joe Doyle; he reeled in the leader to win Rating 65 1200 metres here on 13 September, and ran a competitive last 600m (34.6) after steadying to last from the outside gate (13) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 9 October at Timaru, won by race rival Graeme John. The third horse for the team contesting the Rating 75 1200 metres, he brings a good course/distance record to the event, is racing well and can be competitive with any luck from his wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.60.

1:42 p.m. R5 14 Porcia Catonis (4 m Super Seth – Dark Heather) – Tina Comignaghi; she remained back over a sprint trip when trialling here on 29 September, and resumes in the Rating 75 1200 metres. Her two wins here have been on the poly-track over 1400 metres, and while she is awkwardly drawn (9), look for her finding the line strongly. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.00.

2:48 p.m. R7 2 I’m A Dirty Rascal (8 g Galileo – Remember When, by Danehill Dancer) – Opie Bosson;  he fought well for a close fifth after making a move at 1000 metres to get handier in the Rating 75 2600 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Contesting the $50,000 Rating 82 3000 metres, he has been a winner at 2500 metres, looks the type to appreciate this course, and has the credentials to deliver a top three finish from barrier one. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.60.

3:25 p.m. R8 1 War Of Silence (3 c Snitzel – Silent Sedition) – Opie Bosson; he lifted when challenged to secure a debut victory in the Maiden 1200 metres on 13 September and was claimed only late (second) after racing outside the leader in the Guineas Trial (3YO, 1400 metres) on 27 September, both here at Riccarton. One of two stablemates contesting the $100,000 Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1600m), he is progressing well and can certainly deliver a result in one of the day’s features.  Fixed odds: $2.25 & $1.25.

3:25 p.m. R8 8 Origin Of Love (3 f Snitzel – Re Edit) – Joe Doyle; she sustained a strong run for a second start victory in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 27 September, and fought well for fifth after having to work hard early in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on 11 October at Ashburton, won by stable-mate Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel). Also contesting the War Decree Stakes, she’s doing everything well and from barrier two, can be right in the thick of the action as she chases black type.  Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.60.

4:00 p.m. R9 1 Perfect Scenario (8 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Sage Duric (a3); he fought hard for second after being posted three-wide in the Open Handicap 1400 metres here on 27 September, won by stable-mate and race rival Stonybreck (below). They face off again in the $50,000 TAB Mile Trial (Open Handicap 1400 metres) and enjoys weight relief to 59.5kg. He’s been an amazing campaigner, the winner of 11 races including four here, with four wins 1400 metres, and he has definite top four credentials despite his awkward draw (9). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.70.

4:00 p.m. R9 5 Stonybreck (6 g Tavistock – Fair Isle) – Opie Bosson; he demolished his rivals when winning the Open Handicap 1400 metres by five lengths here on 27 September, and he too contests the TAB Mile Trial. He’s now the winner of eight races, has been first and second from two course attempts, is in great form loving life in the south, and rates a top three chance from barrier two. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.85. 

4:35 p.m. R10 3 Cognito (6 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Opie Bosson; he recorded back-to-back wins on course to 1800 metres, before finishing fourth to race rival Sir Albert in the Ashburton Cup on 11 October at Ashburton. Contesting the $80,000 Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m), he just loves this course, and brings right form to keep that winning theme coming if he can overcome his wide gate (10) - one of two lining up here for the team.  Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.45.

4:35 p.m. R10 7 Elegant Lady (6 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Kate Hercock; she avoided the race skirmish to finish second in the North Canterbury Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) here on 27 September, and also contests the Sothys Spring Classic. She’s put together four wins to 2200 metres, has been twice stakes’ placed to 2400m, boasts a good course/distance record, and is a top four chance, but again is another who has landed on the wrong side of the barrier gods (13).  Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

5:10 p.m. R11 11 Shockabella (4 m Shocking – My Isabella) – Opie Bosson; she worked forward to secure a handy position and fought well for fourth when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 11 October at Ashburton. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she won her Maiden over 1800 metres in February at Taupo, and definitely has the ability to prove competitive with - you guessed - things going her way from her wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.15. 

Main picture - Cognito winning at Riccarton