Te Akau Saturday NZ & Australia Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing on Saturday 30 March: Ellerslie, Awapuni, and Rosehill (Sydney).

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 29 March the conditions were: cloudy and Good3, rail out 9.5 metres. Showers forecast.

1.30 p.m. R3 3 Griffin   (4 g Iffraaj - Double Elle) - Nik Bakar (3); made it three from four during this campaign with victory in the Rating 72 1500 metres on 24 February at Wairoa, notching a double during their two-day meeting, ridden by Te Akau apprentice Chelsea Burdan (currently injured). A full brother to former stable-mate Gingernuts, he continues rising to the task and rates an each way chance with weight relief to 54kgs in the $30,000 Rating 82 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.30.

2.40 p.m. R5 1 Kingsguard   (6 g Rip Van Winkle - Her Royal Highness) - Nik Bakar (3); worked home solidly when trialling on 19 March at Matamata. He has continued to train well since and is having his first start for the stable as he resumes in the $35,000 Open 1200 metres. He placed three times on this course before going on to win five races, including the Hawkesbury Cup (Gr. 3, 1600m), and stakes of $457,000 in Australia. Weight relief to 57kgs, he meets a tidy sprint field and running home strongly would be encouraging. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.40.

Awapuni:

As on Friday 29 March the conditions were: cloudy and Dead5, rail true. No rain forecast.

3.00 p.m. R6 1 Yourdeel  (2 g Dundeel - Miss Zapper) - Opie Bosson; comes into the $225,000 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) clearly highest rated (84), and obvious favourite, having won the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 9 March at Ellerslie, following an impressive six-length victory in the Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) and third to stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel) in the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m). His 1-2-3-1-1 form line speaks for itself and he shapes as the one to beat from barrier five. Last year, Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage (Fastnet Rock) became the fourth winner of the race for Te Akau. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.25.

3.00 p.m. R6 2 Equinox(2 c Exceed and Excel - Our Ella Belle) - Johnathan Parkes; continued growing in race stature when recording his second win from three starts in the 2YO 1200 metres on NZ Oaks Day (16 March) at Trentham - his second win on the course. Drawn barrier one in the $225,000 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) should ensure a coveted and economical trip and the prospect of true footing assists. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.20.

Rosehill Gardens:

As on Friday 29 March the conditions were: fine and Soft7, rail out 6 metres. 25mls rain forecast Saturday morning.

3.50 p.m. (NZ time) R3 2 In A Twinkling   (3 g Fastnet Rock - Moment in Time) - James McDonald; followed a slashing run for second in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) with an equally tough performance for second in the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), both at Ellerslie. Among a strong trio of Kiwis in the $200,000 Tulloch Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), he certainly brings the right form to threaten and will be assisted by a terrifically strong rider. NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.60. 

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