Te Akau Super Inter-Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 23 horses entered on Saturday 22 October: Te Rapa and Riccarton.

Te Rapa:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:20 p.m. R1 2 Cyclonic King (2 c Exceed and Excel - Lady Krovanh) - Opie Bosson; he came clear for a soft win at the trials on 16 August at Avondale, and extended impressively to win his trial on 27 September at Waipa. Debuting in the $30,000 2YO 1000 metres, he has good size and quality and rates a top three chance in a field that looks full of speed - the first of a Te Akau duo contesting this event. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.25.

12:20 p.m. R1 4 Balance Of Power (2 c Almanzor - Respin) - Michael McNab; he ran a close second in both of his trials and he also debuts in the $30,000 2YO 1000 metres. He has plenty of substance and quality and should race well from his ideal draw (2). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.30.

12:55 p.m. R2 14 Caravella (3 f Caravaggio - Highland Lights) - Michael McNab; she led for home before tying up on Heavy10 in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 21 September at Matamata, won by subsequent winning stable-mate Wild Night (below). Given time (31 days), she contests the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres, is perfectly drawn (3) and should appreciate better footing. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20.

2:05 p.m. R4 3 Leaderboard (8 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Opie Bosson; he raced without cover throughout when finishing fifth in the Open 2000 metres on 8 October at Matamata, and contests the $40,000 Rating 83 2400 metres. He won the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) last season, is a course/distance winner at his only attempt, and should go well in what shapes as even field. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.20.

2:41 p.m. R5 8 Romancing The Moon (3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight) - Michael McNab; she capped her second in The O'Learys Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1200m) with an impressive front running victory in the Maiden 1400 metres on 8 October at Matamata, and steps up in the $85,000 Super Seth Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). Having not put a foot wrong, she is ideally drawn (3) to prove competitive in this event with two stable representatives. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

2:41 p.m. R5 9 Stella Splendida (3 f Zoustar - Scintillula) - Opie Bosson; she won three of four trials before an impressive victory on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 16 September at Taupo, before running third in the 3YO 1400 metres on 8 October at Matamata. She has shown ability, but requires luck from wide draw (11) in the $85,000 Super Seth Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

3:51 p.m. R7 1 Dynastic (3 c Almanzor - Meir) - Opie Bosson; he won Te Akau's sixth consecutive $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and resumed with a top victory in the El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) on 10 September at Hastings. He was unable to emulate that performance in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 8 October at Matamata, but is presented with the opportunity to redeem in the $120,000 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) - the first of two 3YO's lining up for the stable in the feature. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.70.

3:51 p.m. R7 4 Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh - Supreme) - Craig Grylls; he won both the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres and Rating 65 1400 metres in his most recent two starts at Matamata, and steps up in the $120,000 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m). He is racing well, but requires luck from his wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

4:26 p.m. R8 6 Self Obsession (4 m Shocking - Mawaakib) - Michael McNab; she ended her previous campaign finishing second to stable-mate Belle En Rouge (Burgundy) in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) - tying both for the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year. She has trialled twice, and looked good in an exhibition gallop with stable-mate The Perfect Pink (below) on 8 October at Matamata. She won the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) at her only course attempt, and is ideally drawn (3) to resume with a solid showing - another race with two stable representatives. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.30.

4:26 p.m. R8 7 The Perfect Pink (4 m Savabeel - The Solitaire) - Craig Grylls; she headed home a Te Akau first four in 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) victory and ended her campaign with a good fourth in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). She has trialled twice in preparation, looked good in the exhibition gallop with stable-mate Self Obsession (above) on 8 October at Matamata, finished second in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on this track, and also has a handy gate (5) to resume in good fashion. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.55.

5:01 p.m. R9 13 Millefiori (4 m Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); she had two trials before capitalizing on a nice trip for third to form a Te Akau trifecta in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 8 October at Matamata, won by Challa (Dissident).  She is aided by weight relief to 51.5kg, but requires luck from her awkward draw (10) in the $30,000 Rating 75 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.00.

Riccarton:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 7 metres to 1000m, remainder out 10 metres. No rain forecast.

11:30 a.m. R1 9 Illicit Miss (4 m Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she recorded two big wins here on the poly-track over 1600 metres, was given time (29 days), and was then good through the line, from well back, in the Rating 75 1400 metres last Saturday at Ashburton. She is racing in good form and she rates a top three chance in the $30,000 Rating 75 1800 metres. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.40.

1:10 p.m. R4 4 Rhetorical (2 f Snitzel - Xpression) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she debuted for fifth on a Heavy10 track to stable-mate Rubicon Crossing (below) in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres on 3 September at Wanganui, before delivering a polished victory here in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres on 1 October. She rates a top three prospect in the $30,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 800 metres (eligible $13,000 bonus) - the first of three Te Akau juvenile fillies stepping out the event. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.55.

1:10 p.m. R4 5 Rubicon Crossing (2 f Rubick - Miss Foxwood) - Lisa Allpress; she did everything right when winning on debut in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres on 3 September at Wanganui, with Allpress aboard, and also contests the $30,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 800 metres (eligible $13,000 bonus). Grand-dam Foxwood (Centaine) won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) here, and she is expected to go well again. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.70.

1:10 p.m. R4 8 Sky on Fire (2 f Exceed and Excel - Elusive Meteor) - Samantha Wynne; she looked good winning her sole trial on 4 August at Te Rapa, and was grabbed (by a nose) on the line when debuting in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres on 29 September at Otaki. She should appreciate better footing in the $30,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 800 metres (eligible $13,000 bonus). Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.40.

2:58 p.m. R7 11 Dancarina (4 m Sebring - Dance for Me) - Lisa Allpress; she recorded a smart fresh-up victory in the Rating 65 1000 metres on 3 September and delivered a good third off a wide trip in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on 1 October, both at Riccarton. She rates a top three chance in this corresponding event featuring two stable starters. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.

2:58 p.m. R7 13 Image of You (5 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she won twice to 1600 metres last season and resumed with the fastest last 600m (34.3) for fifth in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on 24 September at Ruakaka. Contesting the corresponding event, she is likely destined for further but is nicely drawn (4) and should be suited by the big roomy course.  Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

3:33 p.m. R8 1 Cognito (3 g So You Think - Lady Primrose) - Jason Laking; he stormed home to win on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 24 August at Taupo, was a close up second in the 3YO 1400 metres on 10 September at Ruakaka, and ran the fastest last 600m (34.3) winning the Inglewood Stud Guineas' Trial (1400m) here on 1 October. He rates top three chance in the $90,000 War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), won last season by Te Akau trained, now sire, Noverre before he went on to claim the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas - in an event with two stablemates lining up. Fixed odds: $1.85 & $1.15.

3:33 p.m. R8 2 Malborough Bay (3 g Darci Brahma - Spin ‘N Grin) - Lisa Allpress; he continued his good record with third to stable-mate Cognito (above) in the Inglewood Stud Guineas' Trial (1400m) here on 1 October, and also faces him in the $90,000 War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). He presents as a top three contender from barrier one. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.60.

4:08 p.m. R9 3 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he continued his good form with fourth in the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) on 8 October at Matamata, and contests the $40,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile Prelude (Open, 1400m). The winner of four and stakes' placed at 2000 metres, he possesses versatility and should race well with a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.80.

4:43 p.m. R10 5 Campionessa (5 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Lisa Allpress; she continued her strong form with a close second in the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) here on 1 October and contests the $65,000 Sothys Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m). Terrifically consistent and she is a top three prospect from the perfect barrier one gate - the first of two stable starters. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.35.

4:43 p.m. R10 10 Belle of the Ball ( 4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she made it three wins from four starts this season, sprinting clear in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 1 October at Riccarton, and likewise contests the $65,000 Sothys Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m). Runner-up in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) here in April, she seems unable to secure a decent draw and has been stung again (12), nonetheless she has a first three finish well in her sights. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.50.

5:18 p.m. R11 7 Invincibeel (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she continued her improving performances with a strong finishing second in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 1 October and steps up in the $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. A maiden winner over this trip, she is stakes' performed, and racing in the Savy Yong Bonk colours, she rates a top three proposition from barrier one. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.