Te Akau Saturday Trans Tasman Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Saturday: Ellerslie (Auckland Cup Day), Trentham, and Randwick.

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 9 March the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 2.5 metres 1000m - 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast.

2.25 p.m. R4 1 Scrutinize (5 g Savabeel - Legs) - Opie Bosson; clocked the fastest last 600m (34.0) when sprinting through late for third in the Rating 85 1600 metres on 24 February at Matamata, and increases distance in the $50,000 Rating 75 2100 metres. Being from New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) and Kelt Capital (Gr. 1, 2040m) winner Legs (Pins), aids his prospects and despite carrying 60kgs he appears in the right fettle to rate an each way chance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.15.

3.35 p.m. R6 1 Sword of Osman (2 g Savabeel - Bunyah) - Opie Bosson; was incredibly dominant winning the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 24 February at Matamata. An impressive debut winner over 1100 metres in December at Awapuni, he finished eighth here to stable-mate and race rival Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m). A strong two-year-old, with gate speed to lead or race handy from barrier one, he brings an exciting component to the $200,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) - a race won two years ago by stable-mate Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock). Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.25.

3.35 p.m. R6 5 Avantage (2 f Fastnet Rock - Asavant) - Matt Cameron; capitalized on a sweet trip and was super when winning the $1m Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) here on 27 January. Off 42 days, drawn barrier eight in the $200,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), she is unbeaten in four starts as a two-year-old, possesses volumes of quality, but requires a smooth passage from the outside gate (8) to prove a compelling factor. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.35.

3.35 p.m. R6 8 The Real Beel (2 f Savabeel - Ahna) - Danielle Johnson; is the third of three Te Akau runners in the $200,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), but far from the least. Having displayed classy attributes winning on debut, she fought courageously after working hard from the outside gate (14) in the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m), and was back on song when running home stoutly to finish third in the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Ideally drawn (4), she rates an each way chance in a great field. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $3.50.

Trentham:

As on Friday 9 March the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail. No rain forecast.

12.55 p.m. R2 7 Byzantine (2 c Savabeel - Baradevi) - Shafiq Rusof; makes his debut in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1000 metres. A beautiful colt, from a classy family, he was freshened following two spring trials and looked good when getting home for second over 800 metres on 27 February at Avondale. Although barrier nine appears awkward, he has the right rider aboard to secure cover and present him at a timely moment.

2.40 p.m. R5 5 Our Abbadean (5 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights) - Samantha Wynne; finished strongly for fifth in the Rating 85 1600 metres on 24 February at Matamata, the same race as stable-mate Scrutinize (above). She had no chance prior, from a rearward position in the Westbury Classic (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Karaka Million night at Ellerslie. Having recorded two strong finishes on the course for fourth: in the Douro Cup (Rating 85, 1600m) and Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), and impressing when last tried over ground, she can threaten a small field of five in the $35,000 Open Handicap 2100 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.20.

Royal Randwick:

As on Friday 9 March the conditions were: fine and Soft5, rail. No rain forecast.

6.20 p.m. (NZ time) R7 4 Age of Fire (3 c Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Jason Collett; presented very well and bounded home stylishly from the rear for third in the 3YO 1400 metres on 24 February at Matamata. Runner-up to stable-mate Embellish (Savabeel), with a massive effort in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and winner of the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), he has stamped himself as a very good colt. Although drawn wide (13) in the $1m Randwick Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), he has the right pilot aboard and appears a brighter hope than the odds suggest, before stepping up in distance. Fixed odds: $19.00 & $4.50.