Te Akau Saturday North & South Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered on Saturday 2 October: Hastings and Riccarton.

Hastings:

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

1.30 p.m. R3 5 Mai Tai (5 m Atlante - Tropical Punch)- Samantha Collett; ended her previous campaign winning the Anzac Mile (Listed, 1550m) at Awapuni, and never off the bridle finishing fourth when trialling on 21 September at Cambridge (poly-track). Quickly through the grades, having won five from 10, she meets a strong field in the $40,000 Open 1400 metres but competitive with decent trip from barrier 11. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.50.

1.30 p.m. R3 9 Cornflower Blue (4 m Savabeel - Tiffany Yellow) - Danielle Johnson; had a terrific season at three, winning the Barnswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), finishing third to stable-mate Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), and third in the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). No joy under top weight (60.5kg) when resuming in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 8 September at Taupo, she carries minimum (54kg) in the $40,000 Open 1400 metres and capable of bold showing with decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00..

4.25 p.m. R8 2 Prise De Fer  (6 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Troy Harris; found line very well for third when resuming in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 4 September at Te Rapa, and made good ground from rear for seventh in the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) here a fortnight ago. Likely to get back again from barrier 10 in the $220,000 Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), but with luck rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.40.

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 7 metres. No rain forecast.

11.40 a.m. R2 13 Irish Red (3 f Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Krishna Mudhoo; ran on well for third when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 970 metres on 2 September at Cambridge (poly-track), and third again in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) here a fortnight ago. Back in class for $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres, she rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.40.

1.45 p.m. R6 4 Noverre  (3 c Savabeel - Magic Dancer) - Jason Laking; delivered second-up over 1200 metres in February at Wanganui, and wound up strongly for third when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 4 September at Te Rapa. Bringing good form to the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres, he rates a top three chance with right trip from slightly awkward draw (10). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.

3.00 p.m. R8 6 Markus Aurelius  (5 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Jason Laking; finished well once clear in the Open 1200 metres when resuming here a fortnight ago, and steps up in the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. Winner of six from 12, including hat-trick earlier this year, and very good at Riccarton, he rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

3.33 p.m. R9 2 Challa  (5 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Sanu Toolooa (a3); ran well for third when resuming in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 8 September at Taupo, and contests the $30,000 Rating 74 1200 metres. Runner-up in his first three starts at Riccarton, including the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m), and should go well from barrier three with weight relief to 58kg. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

3.33 p.m. R9 5 Supreme Khan  (4 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Rohan Mudhoo (a1); produced a notable fresh-up effort for fourth behind subsequent winner Maximus Prime (Echoes of Heaven) in the $30,000 Rating 74 1200 metres on 6 September at Ashburton, and contests the corresponding event. He has a good record and rates top three chance with the right trip from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

4.08 p.m. R10 2 Leaderboard  (7 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Courtney Barnes; ended his previous campaign with consecutive wins to 2400 metres and resumed with strong closing fourth in the Open 1600 metres on 6 September at Ashburton. Unbeaten in two starts on the course (1600m & 2000m), he rates a top three chance in the $40,000 Open 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

4.43 p.m. R11 17 Zouluminous (5 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Rohan Mudhoo (a1); ended her campaign finishing third over 2100 metres in May at Te Rapa, and resumed with midfield performance in the Rating 74 1400 metres here a fortnight ago. Drawn 18 makes it tough, but suited stepping in distance for the $30,000 Rating 74 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.