Te Akau Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has ten horses racing at three venues on Saturday 1 April: Ellerslie, Awapuni, and Royal Randwick.

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 31 March the conditions were: overcast and Slow9, rail out 9.5 metres. No rain forecast.

3.37 p.m. R6 6 Zambezi Warrior (4 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Jasmine Fawcett (a4); appeared forward in condition when winning a recent 1200-metre trial with this rider aboard at Matamata, and resumes off 70 days in the $25,000 Rating 85 1500 metres. He provided the Te Akau apprentice with her first win last September, when scoring fresh-up in the Rating 75 1400 metres on heavy going at Pukekohe. He ended his previous campaign with a notable effort for sixth in the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m), was stakes placed in the Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) here as a three-year-old, and comes in competitively weighted (54kgs). Fixed odds: $6.20 & $2.20.

Awapuni:

As on Friday 31 March the conditions were: overcast and Slow9, rail out 1 metre. No rain forecast.

12.53 p.m. R1 10 Tatters (4 m Tavistock - Rattle) - Jason Waddell; franked her form when running a very good race for second in the $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 18 March at Te Rapa, and from barrier eight contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1550 metres. Having recorded her two wins on slow ground, she brings the right form to rate a strong each way chance.

2.38 p.m. R4 1 Beaumarchais (3 g Savabeel - Almaviva) - Michael McNab; ran a great race, widest on the track, in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), clocking the fastest final 600m (35.05) outside of race winning stable-mate Gingernuts and followed up with a gallant effort for fourth to the same horse in the $1m Vodafone NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) when starting at fixed odds of $126, with McNab aboard. Now the highest rated (80) at set weights in the $70,000 Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m), he showed his versatility when recording his most recent win on slow footing and must be considered a genuine hope on the strength of his last two performances. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.25.

3.12 p.m. R5 8 Echezeaux (5 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - Mark Du Plessis; along with stable-mate Zambezi Warrior, above, produced a notable effort in the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) and after being freshened she came from last with a good gallop for third when trialling over 1200 metres recently at Matamata. A first up winner over a mile in November, she is unbeaten in two starts on the course and back in grade she shapes as a threat from barrier two, under minimum weight (54kgs), in the $30,000 Rating 85 1550 metres. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.75.

3.48 p.m. R6 2 Summer Monsoon (2 g Stratum - Princess Narine) - Jason Waddell; came with a strong finish off the trail for second to subsequent Group One winner Summer Passage (Snitzel) in the $50,000 Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m) and following an eye-catching second at the trials, with Waddell aboard, he contests the $225,000 Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). He possesses the tactical speed to utilize barrier three and given his form is just the type prove a major player. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.00.

3.48 p.m. R6 7 Melody Belle (2 f Commands - Meleka Belle) - Michael McNab; pounced on the leaders from fourth to record a stunning victory in the $1,000,000 Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) on 29 January at Ellerslie, cruised home for a classy win when trialling over 1000 metres on 21 March at Matamata, and drawn barrier eight in the $225,000 Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). She has the form, pedigree, performance, and quality, that all stacks up to her proving a strong chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.80.

3.48 p.m. R6 9 Gold Fever (2 f Savabeel - Gold Rocks) - scratched.

3.48 p.m. R6 15 Swing Note (2 f Encosta De Lago - Andallthatjazz) - Jonathan Parkes; after powering home late for third when resuming over 1200 metres, she followed up with another strong finish for second, when circling from last, to race rival Joyfilly (Highly Recommended) again over 1200 metres on 15 March at Matamata. A good-sized filly with an improving form line, she will get back from a wide draw but the stern contest that this race invariably becomes should see her closing resolutely in the $225,000 Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). Fixed odds: $41.00 & $9.00.

4.23 p.m. R7 8 Astrid (5 m Pins - Astralita) - Craig Grylls; made it two wins from her last three starts when putting paid to her rivals mid straight in the Rating 85 1400 metres on 18 March at Te Rapa, and steps up in grade to contest the $50,000 Flying Handicap (Listed, 1400m). A course/distance winner at her only attempt, she has quickened best on good footing, so would prefer sharp improvement in track conditions, but has tenacity to stand her in fine stead no matter what the conditions. Fixed odds: $10.50 & $3.00.

Royal Randwick, Sydney:

As on Friday 31 March the conditions were: overcast and Heavy9, rail true. 1ml forecast Friday, no rain Saturday.

5.50 p.m. (NZ time) R7 2 Gingernuts (3 g Iffraaj - Double Elle) - Opie Bosson; has been nothing short of exceptional winning his last four races in a row, including the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), and most recently the Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) at fortnight ago in Sydney. Pleasing trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards in everything since, he is now the favourite for the $2m Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). Handling the going on offer is possibly the most crucial variable in horse racing, and his ability to cope with rain-affected ground has been unprecedented - winning the Avondale Guineas on Slow8 and Rosehill Guineas on Heavy10. With the prospect of striking similar conditions, drawing barrier twelve in a field of thirteen does not appear disadvantageous and all pointers suggest another top effort from this rising star of the turf. Fixed odds: $3.30.