Te Akau Smashing Trans-Tasman, North, South Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 25 horses entered on Saturday 11 November: Te Rapa, Riccarton, and Flemington (Melbourne). 

Te Rapa: 

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 8 metres. No rain forecast.

12:50 p.m. R1 2 Maracatu (2 g Ardrossan – Cortado) – Vinnie Colgan; he lifted appreciably to grab a win when trialling here on 31 October, and debuts in the $40,000 2YO 1000 metres. His dam won as two-year-old, he's from a smart family, and shapes to race well luck as long as he can secure luck from his from wide draw (10) - one of a stable trio of juveniles in the event. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.80. 

12:50 p.m. R1 6 Hooray For Harry (2 c Harry Angel – Here We Come) – Joe Kamaruddin; he sustained a good run for second after leading in a trial on 15 August at Avondale, has been given time, and also debuts in the $40,000 2YO 1000 metres. By the World Champion Sprinter, he is from a mare that won three times to 1200 metres in Australia, and is likely to race handily from barrier six. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.50. 

12:50 p.m. R1 7 Bellatrix Star (2 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she won her sole trial here before justifying favouritism when winning first two-year-old race of the season on 2 September at Wanganui. Also patiently handled and given time (70 days), she kept up a strong gallop for a close second in a trial here on 31 October and rates a top three chance in the $40,000 2YO 1000 metres. Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.30. 

1:59 p.m. R3 4 War Of Succession (3 g Tavistock – Ziffel) – Samantha Spratt; he kept lifting with a notable effort for third in the Maiden 1600 metres on 18 October at Tauranga, and contests the $40,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres. He looks a top three prospect if he can secure a decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.75. 

2:34 p.m. R4 6 Spellcraft (4 g Savabeel – Bewitching) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he was dictated to by drawing the outside gate (14) in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 18 October at Tauranga, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He receives the opportunity to improve from barrier six. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20. 

3:11 p.m. R5 5 Inca Belle (4 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she sustained a solid run in the straight to finish close up in a trial here on 31 October, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. One of two lining up for the team, she fashioned a good record winning her first three starts in succession, she acts well in a fresh state, and is aided by drawing barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.  

3:11 p.m. R5 9 Francee (4 m Iffraaj – Calveen) – Vinnie Colgan; she let down well to finish close up in trial here on 31 October, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She built to a nice win over 1400 metres in May at Matamata, should appreciate good footing and is perfectly drawn (3) to resume with a solid performance. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

3:43 p.m. R6 4 Wolverine (4 m Tivaci – Knew It) – Matt Cameron; she angled widest from last and finished powerfully to grab a win when trialling here on 31 October, and resumes in the $90,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m) in her first start for the stable. She won the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) here as two-year-old, was very well performed as three-year-old in Australia, acts well fresh, and rates a top three chance from the handy barrier four - in the feature which sees four Te Akau mares compete. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.60. 

3:43 p.m. R6 6 Maven Belle (4 m Burgundy – Doyenne) – Niranjan Parmar (a); she finished strongly to dead-heat for first with Aris Aris (below) in a trial here on 31 October, and also resumes in the $90,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m). The Champion Two-Year-Old of her year, she is a course/distance stakes' winner, another who races well fresh up, has drawn the ace - so a lot in her favour as she presents as a top three chance.  Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.75. 

3:43 p.m. R6 7 Aris Aris (5 m Contributer – Irish Encore) – Joe Kamaruddin; she quickened to lead in the straight and sustained a good run to dead-heat for first with Maven Belle (above) in a trial here on 31 October, and likewise resumes in the $90,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m). She brings great record to this contest, has placed in all three course attempts, and is has strong first four claims with decent a trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.20. 

3:43 p.m. R6 10 Petrucci (4 m I Am Invincible – Via Napoli) – Lisa Allpress; she resumed in fine style running the fastest last 600m (34.9) to win the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 October at Matamata, and was a notable fourth in a slickly run last 600m (32.4) to the Open 1200 metres on 28 October at Pukekohe. The visor blinkers are on, she was second in the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) here, and took looks a serious top four contender from barrier four. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.60.

4:17 p.m. R7 2 Accidental Tourist (4 g Telperion – Megara) – Vinnie Colgan; he drew outside (14) and produced an eye-catching effort for fifth when resuming here in the $40,000 Rating 75 1300 metres on 21 October, won by stable-mate Kai (Ocean Park), and contests the corresponding event. He won three of his last four starts to end his three-year-old season, has been placed in two of three course attempts, and rates a top three chance from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

4:57 p.m. R8 1 Belle of the Ball (5 m Savabeel – Lady Tatia) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she has hindered her chances by frustratingly missing the start in her last two races, most recently in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 7 October at Matamata. She recorded a hat-trick of wins to 1600 metres last season, is twice stakes' placed and is looking to improve. She will however requires luck from wide gate (11) in the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres - a race with three stable runners. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80. 

4:57 p.m. R8 13 Popthebubbles (4 m Wrote – Vickezzlepin) – Vinnie Colgan; she closed strongly for second when resuming in the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres here on 21 October, with Colgan aboard, and contests the corresponding event. She produced two stylish wins over a mile and is certainly capable of another bold showing but is another drawn poorly (16) so will need a lot to go her way. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80. 

4:57 p.m. R8 14 Family Ties (4 m Contributer – Glamazon) – Lisa Allpress; she utilized barrier one to produce a good effort for third in the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres here on 21 October and contests the corresponding event. Drawn the same alley (1), she should strip near peak fourth up in campaign and presents as a first four contender. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

Riccarton: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:15 p.m. R5 1 Challa (7 g Dissident – Are There Any) – Johnathan Parkes; he ran a track record time (1:06.7) winning the Open Handicap 1200 metres here on 16 September, before finishing ninth in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 16 October at Ashburton, won by stable-mate On The Bubbles (below) in a race not run to suit. He enjoys the South and possesses a good course/distance record, but does have to lug the top weight (59kg) and the wide draw (12) makes it tough in the $90,000 Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m) - one of three entered for the stable. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $4.80.

2:15 p.m. R5 2 On the Bubbles (5 g Brazen Beau – More Bubbles) – Craig Grylls; he made a perfect start to his South Island campaign when winning the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 16 October at Ashburton, and also contests the $90,000 Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m). A Karaka 2YO Million and Group One winner, at his best he is always competitive, but requires a good dose of luck from his wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

2:15 p.m. R5 11 Dancarina (5 m Sebring – Dance for Me) – Warren Kennedy; she richly deserved victory in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 6 September at Avondale, lifted nicely near the rail for third in a trial on 31 October at Te Rapa, and likewise contests the $90,000 Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m). She owns a very good course/distance record, but is another with a shocking draw to contend with (15). Fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.00.

2:48 p.m. R6 5 Insatiable (4 g All Too Hard – All Day Baby) – Warren Kennedy; he received the perfect trip when resuming with victory in the Rating 65 1000 metres here on 2 September, and chased down the leader to win the Rating 75 1200 metres on 6 October at Timaru, with Kennedy aboard. He is fashioning a good record and rates a top three chance but, you guessed it, needs it all to go his way as he navigates the wide gate (11) - the country's leading jockey is the man for that task. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65.

3:28 p.m. R7 12 The Mighty Spar (6 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Rohan Mudhoo; he did a good job finishing third in the Rating 75 2000 metres here on 16 September, before coming from well back for third in the Rating 84 2200 metres on 16 October at Ashburton. He rates a top four chance from barrier two if jumping cleanly in the $100,000 Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2600m) - the first of a stable duo in the race won last season by Group 1 performer Campionessa. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.00. 

3:28 p.m. R7 13 Mehzebeen (4 m Almanzor – Salkantay) – Michael McNab; she ran the equal fastest last 600m (33.4) for a super win in the Rating 65 2200 metres on 16 October at Ashburton, and steps up in the $100,000 Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2600m). She produced a terrific effort for second in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) last season, the distance is right up her alley, but she has also copped a poor barrier (11) so will need Lady Luck on her shoulder. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00. 

4:43 p.m. R9 4 Trobriand (3 c Kermadec – Arboreal) – Michael McNab; he proved too good winning the Guineas' Trial (1400m) on 30 September and ran fastest last 600m (32.5) for second to race rival Burn To Shine (So You Think) in the War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 28 October, both at Riccarton. Very good last season as two-year-old, he is franking the form, and rates a top three chance in the $600,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) - the feature that will see two Te Akau horses take their place. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $2.50. 

4:43 p.m. R9 11 Talisker (3 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Sam Weatherley; he capped a hat-trick of wins in the 3YO 1300 metres on 22 October at Ashburton, and steps up in the $600,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Last season he finished powerfully for second to Trobriand (above) in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and stretched out late in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) won by stable-mate Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin). Doing everything right, he is likely go forward from the outside gate (11), and his sire Embellish (Savabeel) won the race for Te Akau in 2017. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $3.60.

Te Akau has won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) seven times, most recently in 2021 with Noverre (Savabeel) who now stands at Waikato Stud.

5:19 p.m. R10 16 Our Milly Bee (4 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Michael McNab; she sprinted home to easily win the Maiden 1600 metres on 6 October at Timaru, and ran the fastest last 600m (33.6) for fourth in the Rating 65 1600 metres here on 28 October. Race hardened, she is continuing to put in and is capable of another bold showing in the $65,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.

Flemington: 

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 8 metres. No rain forecast.

5:50 p.m. (NZ time) - 3:50 p.m. (Melb. time) R6 8 Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible – Berimbau) – Opie Bosson; she claimed her seventh Group One victory with another sterling performance in the A$2 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 28 October at Moonee Valley to ow have won more Group 1 races than any horse in the world in 2023. She contests the A$3 million Darley Champions Sprint (Gr. 1, 1200m) and while it is her first race on the course, she pleased in a gallop down the straight, is racing impeccably and warrants hot favouritism. NZ TAB fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.20.