Te Akau Rescheduled Ashburton Monday Preview
Date: 16 Oct 2023
Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Monday 16 October at the rescheduled Ashburton meeting.
Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.
12:40 p.m. R2 2 Challa (7 g Dissident – Are There Any) – Danika Wilson (a4); he produced the fastest last 600m (32.9) on the day to win the Open Handicap 1000 metres on 2 September and ran a track record time (1:06.7) winning the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 16 September, both at Riccarton. Given time (28 days), he has weight relief to 57.5kg in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, is ideally drawn (2) and rates a top three chance if he is appreciative of the course at his first attempt - one of two stablemates stepping out.
12:40 p.m. R2 6 On the Bubbles (5 g Brazen Beau – More Bubbles) – Warren Kennedy; he has been given time (27 days) since finishing sixth in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres on 17 September at Te Rapa, and contests the corresponding event. A Karaka 2YO Million and Group One winner, he has had a wind procedure but at his best he is always competitive.
1:20 p.m. R3 3 Mehzebeen (4 m Almanzor – Salkantay) – Warren Kennedy; she tracked up widest before peaking on the Heavy10 footing in the Rating 65 2000 metres on 30 September at Riccarton, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 2200 metres. She scored comfortably over 2200 metres before producing a terrific effort for second in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) last season, and is ideally drawn (4) to have serious first four claims.
2:00 p.m. R4 4 The Mighty Spar (6 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Warren Kennedy; he did a good job finishing third in the Rating 75 2000 metres on 16 September at Riccarton, has been given time (28 days), and contests the $50,000 Rating 84 2200 metres. He is ideally drawn (4) to make an impact and, if cleanly away, he rates a top three chance.
3:22 p.m. R6 2 Viva Vienna (3 f All Too Hard – Anna of Austria) – Warren Kennedy; she resumed with a defiant victory in the 3YO 1000 metres on 2 September and emulated that in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 16 September, both at Riccarton. Given a breather (28 days), she contests the $100,000 Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), is winner of four from seven, and is a top three prospect with the determination she possesses - one of two Te Akau runners in the feature.
3:22 p.m. R6 6 Star Of Justice (3 f Justify – Fair Isle) – Darren Danis; made a great start to her southern campaign when controlling the tempo to win the Maiden 1200 metres on 16 September at Riccarton. She too has been given time (28 days), likewise she contests the $100,000 Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) and is ideally drawn (5) to make the step up in class and distance - her sire Justify is on fire in Australia currently.
4:04 p.m. R7 14 Tavernia (4 m Mongolian Khan – Chaparella) – Warren Kennedy; she resumed with a brave effort for third in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 16 September at Riccarton, has trained on well since (28 days), and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Not far away in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) last season, she looks a top three chance but will require luck from a wide draw (11).
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