Te Akau Saturday NZ & Australia Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Saturday 16 March: Trentham, and Rosehill (Sydney).

Trentham:

As on Friday 15 March the conditions were: overcast and Dead6, rail true. No rain forecast.

1.05 p.m. R2 1 Equinox  (2 c Exceed and Excel - Our Ella Belle) - Michael McNab replaces Troy Harris; forewent the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) last Saturday on heavy footing at Ellerslie, and ideally drawn (3) in the $30,000 2YO 1200 metres. He flattened out stylishly for an impressive debut win here in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 26 January, and should go well with the addition of blinkers and a tongue tie. Fixed odds: $1.60 & $1.10.

3.30 p.m. R6 6 Weaponry(3 g Declaration of War - Cat Shmea) - Dylan Turner; got the job done with a dominant victory in the Southland Guineas (Listed, 1600m) on 16 February at Invercargill, ridden by Turner. Having won his first two starts, he had been a touch unlucky finishing third and fourth, respectively, in the Gore Guineas (Listed, 1335m) and Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m). Drawn wide (16) against a far stronger field in the $100,000 Norwood Family Wellington Guineas (G. 2, 1400m) makes for a tough task, but he is fit and racing well. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.00.

4.05 p.m. R7 8 Sasso Corbaro  (4 m All Too Hard - Furline) - Rosie Myers; could hardly have been more impressive in her first start for the stable when winning the Rating 82 1200 metres on 23 February at Otaki, where she appeared to relish give in the ground. Up in class to contest the $50,000 gavelhouse.com Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m), she has won four times on good footing and ideally weighted (53kgs) to race well again. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.80.

4.45 p.m. R8 4 Shezathinka(3 f So You Think - Headsup) - Chris Johnson; produced a terrific performance for second off a wide trip in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) on 27 February at Hastings, and contests the $400,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). She was a touch luckless prior and having finished runner-up to race rival and current favourite Queen of Diamonds (Savabeel) puts her in the frame. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

4.45 p.m. R8 8 Savy Yong Blonk (3 f Savabeel - Ampin) - Michael McNab; followed consecutive wins with a notable midfield finish here in the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 19 January, and her efforts since for fifth in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) and third in the Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) provide plenty of credence for her chances in the $400,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

Rosehill Gardens:

As on Friday 15 March the conditions were: overcast and Soft 7, rail true. 10mls rain forecast overnight Friday, 10mls Saturday.

4.15 p.m. (NZ time) R3 1 Probabeel(2 f Savabeel - Far Fetched) - Opie Bosson; killed them in the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 26 January at Ellerslie, and freshened since she looked all class when winning a 1000-metre trial by four lengths on 5 March at Rotorua. The winner of three from four, with an X factor superior to most, she contests the $175,000 Harolds Magic Night Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). Drawn wide (14) and the prospect of yielding ground are variables set to test, but class will take her a long way. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.95, Bet 365 $5.50.

6.10 p.m. (NZ time) R6 2 Age of Fire(4 h Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Opie Bosson; transferred to the stables of Ciaron Maher & David Eustace at Warwick Farm, NSW, he produced a very good run for third here on Soft7 in the Parramatta Cup (Listed, 1900m) on 23 February, and drawn barrier one in the $350,000 Schweppes Sky High Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m). A Group One winner of the Levin Classic (1600m) and runner-up to stable-mate Embellish (Savabeel) in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) last season, he should race well on the strength of his most recent effort. Fixed Odds: $12.00 & $3.50.

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