Te Akau Super Saturday North Island Preview

Te Akau Racing has 36 horses entered on Saturday 8 October: Matamata, and Hawera.

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: true. No rain forecast.

11:06 a.m. R1 2 Espionage (4 g Savabeel - Bayrock) - Jason Laking; he finished strongly for second to stable-mate Hero Worship (Xtravagant) when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 September and was then fifth in the Rating 60 1200 metres on 21 September, both at Matamata. He has first four claims with luck from his wide draw (16) in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

11:06 a.m. R1 3 Asperitas (4 g Shooting to Win - Sehaab) - Vinny Colgan; he was unable to lift on the Heavy10 track in same race as Espionage (above) here on 21 September, and also contests the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. He too requires luck from the widest draw (21). Fixed odds: $26.00 & $7.50.

11:06 a.m. R1 5 Ifyourample (4 m Iffraaj - More than Adequate) - Ryan Elliot; she sat outside the leader and fought solidly for third in same race as the two above on 21 September at Matamata, and she likewise contests the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She shapes to race well again. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

11:06 a.m. R1 7 Elounda (4 m Contributer - Nomisma) - Opie Bosson; she had shown ability in two trials before a very good debut second to stable-mate Kai (Iffraaj) in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 21 September. She handled give in the ground and rates a top four chance in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65.

11:06 a.m. R1 10 Patriarca (4 m Savabeel - Baby Shacks) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she raced very well off a wide trip for second when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 16 September at Taupo, and contests the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She has the right form to also rate a top four prospect. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00.

11:06 a.m. R1 11 Sternland (4 m Astern - Landslide) - Kelsey Hannan (a3); she found the line for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 September at Matamata, and was the same again in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres on 16 September at Taupo. She enjoys eight relief to 53.5kg, but requires luck from the wide gate (14) in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $7.50.

11:06 a.m. R1 12 Trieste (4 m Tivaci - Domani Oro) - Samantha Spratt; she failed to handle the Heavy10 going in the Maiden 1600 metres here on 21 September, and contests the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She has placed in two of her four starts on the course, and receives better footing but does need to lift. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.

11:06 a.m. R1 15 Savoir Faire (3 g Savabeel - Etiquette) - Michael McNab; he got home well for third on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 21 September, won by stable-mate Kai (Iffraaj) while Elounda (above) finished second. He appears suited to stepping up in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres, but is yet another who has drawn dreadfully (20). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.

11:06 a.m. R1 16 Romancing The Moon (3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight) - Craig Grylls; she finished a very game second in The O'Learys Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 3 September at Wanganui, and fought hard for second to stable-mate Zantabulous (Almanzor) after leading in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 mares here on 21 September. Ideally drawn (3) in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres, the blinkers are on, and she brings the right form to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

11:37 a.m. R2 6 Hero Worship (4 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Jason Laking; he raced clear to win the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 September at Matamata, before posting a notable fifth to stable-mate She's A Showoff (Showcasing) in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 25 September at Tauranga. He is suited to stepping up in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, likes his home course, and should race well with any luck from his wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.

11:37 a.m. R2 9 I'm Not Bossy (5 m Jimmy Choux - Keffiya) - Opie Bosson; she ran the fastest last 600m in her previous two starts at Matamata, winning with an undeniable finish over 1400 metres in April and was a close third in May. Held together while going well for fourth in a trial on 27 September at Waipa, she brings the right form to rate top three contender fresh-up in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

11:37 a.m. R2 12 Baronet (3 g Contributer - Alpha Dame) - Craig Grylls; he recorded a promising debut victory in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 21 September at Matamata, and steps up in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He hails from a hardy family and shapes to race well again from barrier four. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

11:37 a.m. R2 13 Bubbles Await (3 g Almanzor - Champagne Katie) - Michael McNab; he capped good form with a long sustained run to easily win the Maiden 1400 metres here on 21 September, and steps up in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He presents as a top three chance if able to emulate his previous performance. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.

12:08 p.m. R3 6 Boomer (3 g Iffraaj - Kate Cross) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he dashed home on wet ground to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 8 June at Matamata, and was spelled after finishing fifth on extremely heavy footing later in June at Tauranga. Following two trials in September, he resumes with an ideal draw (2) in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres and is capable of bold showing. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $7.00.

12:08 p.m. R3 14 Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh - Supreme) - Opie Bosson; he made up plenty of ground from last when finishing sixth on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 27 August at Te Rapa, and took advantage of an inside run to win the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres here on 21 September. He rates a top three chance but does have to overcome a tricky gate (13) in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.40.

12:08 p.m. R3 16 Zantabulous (3 f Almanzor - Zantelagh) - Michael McNab; she let down strongly to win a trial (Heavy10) on 6 September at Tauranga, and emulated this with a debut win over stable-mate Romancing the Moon (above) in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 mares here on 21 September. A beautiful grey filly, she is another that has been dealt a blow by the draw (17) in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

12:40 p.m. R4 1 Challa (6 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Kelsey Hannan (a3); he franked his fresh-up form with victory over stable-mate Aris Aris (Contributer) in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 16 September at Taupo, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Yet to start on his home course, he does have weight relief to 59kg, always tries valiantly and is positioned to race well again. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.

12:40 p.m. R4 6 Quattro Quinta (4 g Darci Brahma - Quintette) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he peaked on his resuming run in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 16 September at Taupo, won by stable-mate Challa (above). He too is yet to start on his home track, but was a stakes' winning two-year-old and is capable of improvement but needs things to go his way to overcome his difficult alley (14) in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $11.00.

12:40 p.m. R4 7 Cote de Beaune (4 g Burgundy - Lucrative) - Jason Laking; he won three of five starts last season, and ran on from second last when resuming in the Rating 75 1100 metres won by stable-mate Challa (above) on 16 September at Taupo. He is another stable runner to step out on his home track for the first time, but he appears capable of sharp improvement in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.

12:40 p.m. R4 12 Outfit (4 m Tivaci - Costume) - Opie Bosson; she ended her previous campaign with form in stakes' races, and resumed with an impressive victory in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo. She was among the quickest last 600m times in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 18 September at Te Rapa, is placed at her only course attempt, the blinkers are on, and she is capable of a bold showing but again is a horse disadvantaged by a car park draw (17) in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

12:40 p.m. R4 14 Fashion Shoot (5 m Savabeel - High Fashion) - Craig Grylls; she resumed with a close up second to stable-mate Zeitaku (Savabeel) in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo, and looked good recording a second-up victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 18 September at Te Rapa. Stepping up in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, she is a genuine performer and should race accordingly with luck from (yes another!) wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65.

1:14 p.m. R5 7 Stella Splendida (3 f Zoustar - Scintillula) - Opie Bosson; she won three of four trials before delivering an impressive victory on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 16 September at Taupo. She has the advantage of barrier one in the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres and presents as a top three contender. Fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.10.

1:49 p.m. R6 1 Dynastic (3 c Almanzor - Meir) - Opie Bosson; he stretched out beautifully when winning the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) in January at Ellerslie - the sixth consecutive winner for Te Akau - and resumed showing terrific attributes to win the El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) on 10 September at Hastings. He has a tricky gate to overcome drawn barrier nine of 10 in the $140,000 AHD Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m), but warrants favouritism. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.25.

1:49 p.m. R6 5 Accidental Tourist (3 g Telperion - Megara) - Jason Laking; he recorded an easy fresh-up victory in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 August at Hawera, and was an eye-catching third in the Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1340m). With the addition of blinkers, he shapes to prove competitive in the $140,000 AHD Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). Fixed odds: $31.00 & $5.50.

2:24 p.m. R7 3 Markus Aurelius (6 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Michael McNab; he won the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) last season, and resumed with a notable fourth over 1400 metres at Ruakaka, but has failed to handle the rain-affected going in his last two starts. First and second in his two course attempts, he has unfortunately drawn wide (13) in the $65,000 Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) however his prospects improve if track conditions comply. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

2:24 p.m. R7 7 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Opie Bosson; he resumed with a big win (for big odds) under 60kg in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo, followed by two notable efforts at Te Rapa, most recently when finishing third in the Open 1600 metres last Friday. He is racing well, has drawn barrier two, and is capable of a bold showing in the $65,000 Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

2:24 p.m. R7 9 Belle En Rouge (4 m Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Craig Grylls; she scored a brilliant New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) victory in March at Trentham, tying with second placed stable-mate Self Obsession (Shocking) for the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title, Te Akau's ninth. She finished third last season to Champion Three-Year-Old stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) at her only course attempt in the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), overcame adversity for a close second in the Open 1400 metres on 24 September at Ruakaka, and rates a top three chance in the $65,000 Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

2:58 p.m. R8 3 Supreme Khan (5 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Opie Bosson; he returned to form with a nose margin for second in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 18 September at Te Rapa, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. He is yet to start on his home course, but has drawn barrier one and is capable of finishing in the top three if appreciative of the mile. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

2:58 p.m. R8 13 La Flora Belle (5 m Iffraaj - Tsarina Belle) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she ran the fastest last 600m (35.5) when resuming in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo, won by stable-mate Perfect Scenario (above), and was a close fourth in the Rating 82 Fillies & Mares 1600 metres on 10 September at Ruakaka. Given time (28 days), she is another stepping out on raceday for the first time on her home track, but both her wins have come at a mile. She is capable of bold showing but has to navigate her wide draw (13) in the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

3:34 p.m. R9 2 Prise De Fer (7 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Jason Laking; he resumed with a notable third in the Open 1400 metres on 20 August at Ruakaka, and delivered a huge run for second off a wide trip in the Open 1600 metres on 18 September at Te Rapa. A Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) winner, and twice Group One placed, and he can certainly feature in the finish in the $300,000 Arrowfield Stud Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.10.

3:34 p.m. R9 10 Imperatriz (4 m I Am Invincible - Berimbau) - Opie Bosson; she made it five in a row with devastating acceleration in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 27 August at Te Rapa, and was without favours when fourth in the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 10 September at Hastings, with track conditions her undoing. She looked fit in her recent exhibition gallop, and has a lot in her corner - twice a Group One winner, two for two on the course, last season's Champion 3YO, suited by the weight-for-age scale, and looks thehorse to beat in the $300,000 Arrowfield Stud Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.20.

4:09 p.m. R10 3 Leaderboard (8 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Opie Bosson; he found the going too testing in the Interprovincial (Open, 1800m) on 17 September at New Plymouth, and contests the $40,000 Open 2000 metres. He won New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) and posted a big effort for second in the Hawke's Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m) last season, possesses good course/distance credentials and receives the opportunity to improve. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.30.

5:19 p.m. R12 8 Fierce Flight (4 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Opie Bosson; he fought on in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 16 September at Taupo, and steps up in the $40,000 Rating 65 2000 metres. He has finished fourth in each of his two course attempts and receives the chance to improve with any luck from his wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

Hawera:

Weather: fine, track: Heavy10, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:24 p.m. R1 1 Prismatic (4 g Savabeel - Kaleidoscope) - Lisa Allpress; he had a solid three-year-old campaign, and resumed running the fastest last 600m (37.0) on the day for second in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 September at Matamata. Next start he was third to stable-mate Bubbles Await (Almanzor) in the Maiden 1400 metres on 21 September at Matamata. While we would prefer to see him on better footing, he nonetheless rates a top contender in the $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.30.

12:57 p.m. R2 10 Sans Doute (3 f Not A Single Doubt - My Prerogative) - Lisa Allpress; she looked very good winning all three trials before delivering two seconds to Best Seller (Wrote): debuting in the 3YO Fillies 1100 metres on 24 August at Taupo, and the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 10 September at Hastings. A filly with obvious ability, she rates a top three prospect in the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.35.

2:06 p.m. R4 5 Shepherd's Delight (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Safari Sunset) - Lisa Allpress; she was buffeted and held up in the straight when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 24 September at Ruakaka, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 14 00 metres. She finished second to stable-mate The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) - a race that saw a Te Akau first four home - and can feature in the top three if appreciative of conditions. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.