Te Akau Super Saturday NZ Preview

Te Akau Racing has 21 horses entered on Saturday 5 November: Te Rapa, and Riccarton.

Te Rapa:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast.

12:45 p.m. R1 1 Viva Vienna (2 f All Too Hard - Anna of Austria) - Warren Kennedy; she won her solitary trial before fighting well for third when debuting in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres on 24 September at Ruakaka, and contests the $30,000 2YO 1000 metres. She has speed and should be right there throughout. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.20.

12:45 p.m. R1 5 My Lips Are Sealed (2 f Ace High - Tellmeaboutit) - Craig Zackey; she finished third and second, respectively, in two trials and debuts in the $30,000 2YO 1000 metres. Shown the natural ability to race at two, she shapes as lovely three-year-old, and this is an ideal starting point. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.40.

12:45 p.m. R1 6 Never Forgotten (2 f Fastnet Rock - Memories of You) - Samantha Spratt; she debuts without a trial in the $30,000 2YO 1000 metres. She is sister to Te Akau trained dual winner and stakes' placed Special Memories and Unforgotten, who won the Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) and six times from 1250m - 2400m. She has a classy pedigree and has drawn barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.80.

1:55 p.m. R3 6 Soprano Supreme (5 m Contributer - Falsetto) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); she received a tough trip in Staphanos Classic (Listed, 1950m) on 16 October at Rotorua, and contests the $40,000 Rating 86 2200 metres. With weight relief to 51kg, and a winner at this distance, she is best ridden with cover and can prove competitive. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.90.

2:32 p.m. R4 2 Savoir Faire (3 g Savabeel - Etiquette) - Craig Zackey; he got home well for third on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 21 September at Matamata, won by stable-mate Kai (Iffraaj), and closed well again for third in the Maiden 1400 metres on 16 October at Rotorua. From barrier two, he rates a top three prospect in the $15,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.50.

4:19 p.m. R7 11 Millefiori (4 m Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); she capitalised 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), and then ran the fastest last 600m (34.1) for third in the $30,000 Rating 75 1300 metres here a fortnight ago. She enjoys weight relief to 52kg, has drawn the ace, and looks a definite top three chance in the corresponding event. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.40.

4:59 p.m. R8 10 Kai (4 m Ocean Park - Brilliant Blush) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); she capped six seconds from seven starts with a well-deserved and stylish victory in the Maiden 1200 metres on 21 September at Matamata, and ran the fastest last 600m (34.8) for third in the Rating 65 1215 metres on 16 October at Rotorua. She requires luck from her wide draw (13) in the  $30,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, but with weight relief to 54kg, she has first four claims if appreciative of the course at her first attempt. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65.

Riccarton:

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

1:05 p.m. R3 5 Image of You (5 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Joshua Parr; 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. Presented early, she battled in the Rating 75 1200 metres here a fortnight ago, but comes back in grade for $50,000 Rating 65 1200 metres and is a chance to improve with any luck from the wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00.

1:40 p.m. R4 11 Dancarina (4 m Sebring - Dance for Me) - Joshua Parr; 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 wasn't the same in corresponding event here a fortnight ago, but the blinkers are on and she has the ability to redeem in the $50,000 Rating 75 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

2:15 p.m. R5 2 Burgundy Rose (6 m Burgundy - Paraiba) - Joshua Parr; she raced very well last season for two wins and was second in the Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m). She recorded her eighth win with a very good fresh-up performance here in the Open 1000 metres on 3 September. Freshened since second to stable-mate Summer Monsoon (Stratum) in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 17 September, she carries same weight (59.5kg) which is of some concern as she is not overly big but she should race well again in the $80,000 Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m). Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.40.

2:15 p.m. R5 3 Challa (6 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Craig Grylls; he franked his fresh-up form with victory over stable-mate Aris Aris (below) in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 16 September at Taupo, and was too slick again in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 8 October at Matamata. He knows and likes this course, and brings great form to the $80,000 Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

2:15 p.m. R5 8 Aris Aris (4 m Contributer - Irish Encore) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she was narrowly beaten in a battle with stable-mate Challa (above) when resuming in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 16 September at Taupo, and won comfortably in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 October at Timaru. She boasts a very good record, has the blinkers on, carries the minimum weight (53kg), and rates nice chance from barrier one in the $80,000 Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

2:49 p.m. R6 11 Illicit Miss (4 m Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Craig Grylls; she recorded two big wins here on the poly-track over 1600 metres, was freshened and was good through the line in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 October at Ashburton. She did well after missing the start in the Rating 75 1800 metres here a fortnight ago but does need things to go her way from a difficult draw (12) in the $50,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

3:24 p.m. R7 4 Campionessa (5 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Joshua Parr; she continued good form with a close second in the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) here on 1 October and again in the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) a fortnight ago. She faces a tougher task from very wide draw (14) in the $100,000 Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2500m), but is terrifically consistent and cannot be overlooked. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

3:24 p.m. R7 5 Leaderboard (8 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Craig Grylls; he remained back in the Rating 83 2400 metres on 22 October at Te Rapa, and contests the $100,000 Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2500m). He won the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) last season, finished third here in NZ Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) which he is targeting again, and likes the course. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.

3:24 p.m. R7 10 Belle of the Ball (4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she made it three wins from four starts this season, sprinting clear in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 1 October at Riccarton, and posted a top run from last for fourth in the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) a fortnight ago. She carries the minimum weight (54kg) in the $100,000 Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2500m) and rates a top three chance from the handy barrier four. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:59 p.m. R8 7 Navalha (5 g Sebring - Afiado) - Joshua Parr; he was given a top ride to win Rating 65 1200 metres on 17 September before finishing fourth in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 1 October, both at Riccarton. He made up plenty for fifth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 October at Ashburton, and presents as a top four candidate in the $50,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

4:39 p.m. R9 2 Dynastic (3 c Almanzor - Meir) - Joshua Parr; he got back and ran home strongly for third to stable-mate Wild Night (Vanbrugh) in the Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 22 October at Te Rapa, and contests the $550,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 50^thNew Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). The 2022 $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner and Group One placed, he has drawn wide (12), but possesses the ability to deliver a top three finish. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

4:39 p.m. R9 4 Cognito (3 g So You Think - Lady Primrose) - Jason Laking; he continued his very good form when running the fastest last 600m (33.2) for second in the War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) here a fortnight ago, and also contests the $550,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 50^thNew Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). He has had four starts for two wins and two seconds, and while he meets a stronger field here, he shapes to race well again. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

4:39 p.m. R9 8 Malborough Bay (3 g Darci Brahma - Spin ‘N Grin) - Craig Grylls; he continued his good record with third to stable-mate Cognito (above) in the Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial (1400m) here on 1 October, and was third again in the War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). He meets a stronger line-up in this event, but is ideally drawn (4) to race well again. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.20.

5:19 p.m. R10 7 Invincibeel (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Joshua Parr; she was shuffled back nearing the home turn before finishing strongly for second in the Rating 65 1600 metres here a fortnight ago, and contests the $50,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. She is racing very well and rates top three chance but will need plenty of luck from the wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.