Te Akau Saturday North/South Preview
Date: 13 Jan 2024
Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Saturday 13 January: Trentham, and Wingatui.
Trentham:
Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. Showers forecast.
2:28 p.m. R4 1 Nebuchadnezzar (2 g Rageese – Meir) – Warren Kennedy; he won his sole trial on 5 December at Waipa, after contesting the pace and sustaining a strong gallop, defeating stable-mates and subsequent race winner When Stars Align (Zoustar) and second placed Quintefeuille (Xtravagant). Debuting in the $90,000 IRT Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m), he is the half-brother to Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winning stable-mate Dynastic (Almanzor), he shapes to race well - one of two in the compact field for the stable. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.10.
2:28 p.m. R4 4 The Victress (2 f Zousain – Liesele) – Opie Bosson; she looked good in her action when winning her sole trial on 1 August at Te Rapa, and did the job nicely with debut win in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha. Stepping up in the $90,000 IRT Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m), she has drawn the ace and presents as a top three contender. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.20.
3:41 p.m. R6 1 Trobriand (3 c Kermadec – Arboreal) – Matt Cameron; he was freshened after running the fastest last 600m (34.5) for fourth in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and ran home strongly for a close fourth in trial on 2 January at Tauranga. a Group Two Ellerslie winner, he has been super consistent against the best of his age group, he acts well in a fresh state, and rates a top three chance from barrier one in the $500,000 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) - the first of a stable trio. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.
3:41 p.m. R6 10 Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Opie Bosson; she continued her good form with a close second in the Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, and also contests the $500,000 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m). With three wins and two seconds from her five career starts, including a Group Three win, she is extremely tenacious and can really threaten in this field from barrier five. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65.
3:41 p.m. R6 13 Certainly (3 f Savabeel – Frankly) – Warren Kennedy; she ran the fastest last 600m (34.5) for second on debut to subsequent stakes' winner Pendragon (U S Navy Flag) in the Maiden 1200 metres on 29 November at Te Aroha, and impressively won the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, posting the fastest last 600m (34.7), on 22 December at Matamata. While stepping up in class for the $500,000 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), she seems capable of proving competitive if she can secure luck from her wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.
Te Akau has won the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) four times, and quinelled last year when Romancing The Moon (El Roca) beat stable-mate Skew Wiff (Savabeel).
4:16 p.m. R7 1 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Opie Bosson; he fought hard for a close second in the Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 16 December at Te Rapa, and ran home well in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. The Captain Cook (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner here last season, he is more than capable of a top four finish but will require luck from his wide draw (10) in the $120,000 Mode Technology Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.
Wingatui:
Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.
2:08 p.m. R4 1 Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Ngakau Hailey (a3); he ran on without threatening in the Timaru Heritage Cup (Open Handicap, 1600m) on 28 December at Timaru, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. Impressive when winning the White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m) here last season, he enjoys weight relief to 59kg, and rates a top three chance from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.25.
3:49 p.m. R7 5 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Tina Comignaghi; she cemented a hat-trick of wins when claiming the Rating 75 2200 metres on 20 December at Ashburton, and contests the $50,000 Waikouaiti Cup (Rating 89 2200 metres). She brings excellent form to this contest so will be up to a top three finish with her advantageous gate (3). Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.25.
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