Te Akau NZ Huge Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has eleven horses racing on Saturday 11 November: Te Rapa, Riccarton, and Flemington.

Te Rapa:

As on Friday 10 November the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail out 8 metres. No rain forecast.

12.20 R1 2 Al Hasa (2 c Exceed and Excel - Oasis Rose) - Cameron Lammas; did a few things wrong early, before settling into the race and rounding off solidly for second on debut in the 2YO 880 metres a fortnight ago at Ellerslie. He had shown to be professional and exuded a good action when finishing first and second respectively in two trials. From an immensely talented filly, Oasis Rose (Oasis Dream), a winner here debut over 1000 metres and finished second in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), he appears ideally placed to force the issue in a small field for the $22,500 2YO 1000 metres.

3.20 p.m. R6 5 Chambord (7 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Cameron Lammas; returned to winning form with a big run from last in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 10 December at Awapuni, before an injury enforced layoff, and following two trials he resumes in the $50,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m). Hopefully he is seen finding the line, pulls up soundly and carries on into a campaign. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.80.

3.20 p.m. R6 6 Heroic Valour (4 h Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Troy Harris; became the first Group One winning two-year-old for his champion sire, when unbeaten in three starts that season. Not all went to plan after his first up second when campaigned during the winter in Queensland, but he jogged up to win a trial recently at Waipa, finished fourth here in the NRM Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) at his only course attempt, and has ability to match any of his rivals from barrier three in the $50,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.80.

4.40 p.m. R8 10 Princess Davone (5 m Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Cameron Lammas; missed the start and remained back in the field when resuming with an apprentice aboard in the Rating 75 1215 metres on 21 October at Rotorua. Suited stepping up in distance for the $25,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, she ran a very good third here in a Rating 85 1400 metres at her only course attempt, and can produce a much improved performance. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $8.20.

Riccarton:

As on Friday 10 November the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail true. 2mls rain forecast Friday, fine race day.

3.00 p.m. R6 9 King Kane (4 g Showcasing - Vannista Belle) - Matt Cameron; won by nearly four lengths when taking out the Rating 65 1400 metres last Sunday at Motukarara, with Cameron aboard, and backs up in the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. He ran good time when winning: 1:22.6, last 600m 35.4, reportedly came through the race in good order and rates an each way chance if appreciative of the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.60.

3.40 p.m. R7 5 Te Akau Shark (3 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Chief) - Michael McNab; followed his impressive debut win in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 20 September at Te Rapa, coming from last in the fastest final 600m (34.7) on the day, with an equally emphatic effort to win the 3YO 1400 metres on 14 October at Matamata. He relished slow ground in each of those wins, possesses sheer athleticism and the conditions should provide an even playing field for all runners in the $500,000 Al Basti Equiworld NZ 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.

3.40 p.m. R7 7 Embellish (3 c Savabeel - Bling) - Opie Bosson; cemented his place as favourite for the $500,000 Al Basti Equiworld NZ 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) with a comprehensive victory in the Rating 65 1400 metres at Trentham, having resumed prior with a stylish win over race rival Ever Loyal (Sebring) in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres at Ruakaka, each time with Bosson aboard. Beautifully drawn in barrier five, he has the addition of side winkers to keep him focussed and looks set to run a big race. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.35.

3.40 p.m. R7 8 Age of Fire (3 c Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Matt Cameron; followed a win here in the Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial (1400 metres) on 7 October with a third to race rival Sensei (Dream Ahead) in the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400 metres) on 21 October at Ashburton. Based at Riccarton, has given him time to adjust to his surroundings. Drawn the outside barrier (12) will result in settling rearward, but a solid tempo and luck in the straight can see him finishing strongly. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.00.

5.00 p.m. R9 4 Grazia (5 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Michael McNab; impressively achieved the first target of her campaign when winning the Christchurch Casino Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) here a fortnight ago by 3.5 lengths and now contests the $75,000 Metropolitan Trophy Handicap (Listed, 2500m). She has won three of her last four starts over 2000m/2100m, thrived during a southern sojourn and could not wish for better lead-up form. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.35.

5.00 p.m. R9 6 Imperium (6 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Matt Cameron; came from last to beat stable-mate Grazia (above), amongst a line up for the minors, resuming here in the Rating 75 1600 metres and indicated he was looking for further when finishing fourth in the Rating 85 2100 metres last time out at Ashburton. He finished third to Nymph Monte (Tavistock) in the Metropolitan Handicap last year, before filling the same position in the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) a week later, and he appears in the right fettle to match or better the results. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.10.

Flemington, Melbourne:

As on Friday 10 November the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail out 3 metres. No rain forecast, temperatures to 23 degrees.

6.55 p.m. (NZ time) R8 10 Gingernuts (4 g Iffraaj - Double Elle) - Michael Dee; has drawn barrier 11 of 14 in the weight-for-age $2m Emirates Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m), formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes. His three runs in this campaign, all Group One weight-for-age events at Hastings, have each contained plenty of merit. Finding the line for fifth fresh-up in the Tarzino Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), winning the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), and denied by a narrow margin in the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m). He pressed claims for the title of Champion Three-Year-Old, and Horse of the Year, after winning the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), and Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), last season. A top quality racehorse in every respect, he is a worthy representative in such a prestigious race and will have the eyes of a nation on him. Fixed odds: $6.50.