Te Akau Super Trans Tasman Saturday

Te Akau Racing has 25 horses entered on Saturday 23 March: Tauranga and Riccarton in New Zealand and Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Australia.

Tauranga:

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 4.5 metres from 1000m – 400m, remainder out 1.5 metres. 13mls rain forecast Saturday, starting midday. 

12:25 p.m. R1 1 El Viento (3 g El Roca – Mandeville) – Wiremu Pinn; he made it two wins from his last three appearances with a strong finish in the Special Conditions 1400 metres on 24 February at Matamata, has been given time (28 days), and contests the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres. He finds the line strongly and rates a top three chance from barrier five - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.40.    

12:25 p.m. R1 5 Vivacious (3 f Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Craig Grylls; she ran the fastest last 600m (33.5) when resuming in the Special Conditions 1200 metres on 10 February at Te Rapa, and was the same again (34.2) when second in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 28 February at Hastings. Ideally drawn (2) in the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres, she too looks to be a top three chance. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30. 

1:35 p.m. R3 2 Freeze Frame (4 g Vadamos – Snow Petal) – Jess Allen (a3); he ran fastest last 600m (34.7) to decisively win the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on 24 February at Matamata, and contests the corresponding event. With weight relief to 58kg, he was course/distance placed in January, and is a top three contender if he can secure a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75. 

2:10 p.m. R4 2 Aris Aris (5 m Contributer – Irish Encore) – Jess Allen (a3); she sustained a strong gallop for a close second when trialling on 14 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $50,000 Rating 82 1200 metres. Back in class from the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m), she was a course/distance winner at corresponding meeting last year, enjoys weight relief to 56kg, and is capable;e of a top three finish, jumping from the handy barrier three. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.25. 

3:20 p.m. R6 1 Devoted (6 g Contributer – Mapmaker) – Jess Allen (a3); he was given a good ride by Allen for second in the Rating 65 2000 metres on 29 February at Matamata, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 2100 metres. The same combination won here over 1600 metres in December, the weight relief to 57kg is key, and while he is racing solidly, he requires luck from his wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00. 

3:55 p.m. R7 2 Cognito (4 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Wiremu Pinn; he got home well for third in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 28 February at Hastings, and is one of two for the stable contesting the $175,000 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m). The Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) winner last season, he has delivered good form this campaign, and is capable of matching them if he gets an ounce (or three) from his outside gate (14). Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.40.

3:55 p.m. R7 5 Aotea Lad (7 g Savabeel – Corsage) – Craig Grylls; he stepped up with a top run for third in the Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) on 24 February at Matamata, and also contests the $175,000 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m). A Group 2 on debut as a 2YO, he has been consistent all his career, he brings good course and distance stats to this task and is the winner of five races to 1600 metres.  While he does meet a strong field is does have an advantageous draw (5) to race well. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

Riccarton:

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

12:45 p.m. R2 1 Nucleozor (2 g Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he cruised past to win a trial here on 23 February, and unleashed a huge finish for a debut victory in the 2YO 820 metres on 2 March at Wingatui. He warrants favouritism in the $40,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 1000 metres one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $1.70 & $1.15.    

12:45 p.m. R2 3 Discretion Rules (2 g Alabama Express – Miss Madonna) – Ashvin Goindasamy; he did well from a handy spot for third to Nucleozor (above) when also debuting in the 2YO 820 metres on 2 March at Wingatui, and likewise contests the $40,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 1000 metres. He has addition of blinkers and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.30.    

1:20 p.m. R3 2 Mazzucato (3 f Tivaci – Yellen) – Lily Sutherland (a1); she ran home strongly for fourth when resuming in the 3YO 1200 metres on 9 February at Wanganui, and finished sixth in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 2 March at Wingatui. One of three in the event lining up in the tangerine, she is two from two on the course over 1400 metres, and she is capable of delivering a top three finish from barrier four in the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80. 

1:20 p.m. R3 4 Sense of Timing (3 f Time Test – Pin Up Lae) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she raced very well for a close third in the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m) on 3 February, and was the same again off an interrupted passage for second in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 2 March, both at Wingatui. Also contesting the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres, look for her to be right on. the thick of the action at the business end if she can harness some luck from her wide gate (11). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00. 

1:20 p.m. R3 8 Lady Of Court (3 f Savabeel – Are There Any) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she sustained a big finish to win the Maiden 1400 metres here on 10 February, and was solid through the line after a luckless run in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 2 March at Wingatui. She has first four claims and is capable of a bold effort. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40. 

1:55 p.m. R4 1 Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Donovan Cooper (a4); he was given a super ride to defend his title in the White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 3 February at Wingatui, has been given time (49 days), and resumes in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. Loving life in the south as he always does, he has very good course/distance record, the apprentice brings weight relief to 58kg, he has drawn the ace and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.35.

3:47 p.m. R7 1 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he finished strongly for second in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 7 March, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. One of a stable trio in this race, he has been performing very well on the course, and he has top three prospects. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

3:47 p.m. R7 4 Beau Brummell (3 g Embellish – Fashion Forward) – Ashvin Goindasamy; he won the Maiden 1600 metres by three lengths here on 10 February, before a notable effort for fourth in the Southland Guineas (Listed, 1600m) on 17 February at Invercargill on the week back-up. Given time (35 days), he quickened appreciably widest on the track for fourth when trialling here on the polytrack this week, and appears capable of bold effort if he can navigate the carpark draw (19) in the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80. 

3:47 p.m. R7 15 Our Milly Bee (4 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Lily Sutherland (a1); she got back and found the line belatedly in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 7 March. Also ontesting the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she won her Maiden at 1600 metres, is fitter for two runs back and is capable of bold effort with luck from barrier 12. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

4:22 p.m. R8 4 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Niranjan Parmar (a); she was freshened following a strong finish for second in the Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m) on 3 February at Wingatui, and resumes in the $110,000 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). She has won three of her last five appearances to 2200 metres, enjoys a good course record, and is strategically drawn (5) to race well. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

5:05 p.m. R9 3 Stella Splendida (4 m Zoustar – Scintillula) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she tracked through strongly from last for second to Caravella (below) in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 7 March, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. One of a stable trio engaged in this event, she has been impressive winning four from seven starts over 1200 metres, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

5:05 p.m. R9 6 Caravella (4 m Caravaggio – Highland Lights) – Ashvin Goindasamy; the second starter in this race for the team, she quickened to winning advantage in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 7 March, and likewise contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She does have a weight increase (two kilos) to carry 56.5kg, but her form in this campaign is very good and she is perfectly drawn (2) to command respect. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

5:05 p.m. R9 14 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Lily Sutherland (a1); she worked through on the bridle to finish close up when trialling here on polytrack this week, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. A dual winner over 1200 metres, she does act well in a fresh state, but needs everything to go her way with the wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50. 

Moonee Valley:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

2:05 p.m. (NZ time) R1 7 Prismatic (5 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Michael Dee; he looked good winning a jump out over 1200 metres on 19 February at Cranbourne, and finished strongly from the rear when resuming in the Benchmark 70 1600 metres on 29 February at Pakenham. Stepping up in the A$130,000 Benchmark 84 2040 metres, he is a very consistent performer, is handily drawn (4), and is capable of good effort if appreciative of the unique course at his first attempt. NZ TAB fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.20.   

4:15 p.m. (NZ time) R5 1 Campionessa (6 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Opie Bosson; she gained another valuable victory in the Peter Young Stakes (Gr. 2, 1800m) on 24 February at Caulfield – her first start in Australia this season – and contests the A$300,000 BMD Group Sunline Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m). She has recorded an impressive 11 victories, including the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, with four from seven over 1600 metres. She is the consummate professional, and is a serious contender for line honours from barrier one. NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.35.     

4:55 p.m. (NZ time) R6 2 Certainly (3 f Savabeel – Frankly) – Opie Bosson; she justified favouritism with a big performance to win the Mufhasa Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on Derby Day (2 March) at Ellerslie, and contests the A$200,000 Dynamic Print Group Alexandra Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). Winning two from five, she ran the fastest last 600m (34.0) for a close sixth to stable-mate Quintessa (below) in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 13 January at Trentham, and rates a top three chance from barrier three. NZ TAB fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.65

5:35 p.m. (NZ time) R7 12 Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Opie Bosson; she displayed tenacity when winning the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 13 January at Trentham, and posted the fastest last 600m (34.2) for fourth in the BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) against the older horses on 10 February at Te Rapa. She then again ran great race for fourth in the Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 2 March at Flemington. While she is awkwardly drawn (9) in the A$500,000 DCE Alister Clark Stakes (Gr. 2, 2040m), she is a tough filly, her sire Shamus Award (Snitzel) was a course/distance winner in the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m), and she certainly has claims to be in the thick of things at the business end. NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65. 

6:15 p.m. (NZ time) R8 5 Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible – Berimbau) – Opie Bosson; she won the A$3 million Champions' Sprint (Gr. 1, 1200m) in November, and was then spelled, and resumed with victory in the A$1 million Lightning Stakes (Gr. 1, 1000m) on 17 February. She then bravely carried top weight (58.5kg) for second in the Newmarket Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 9 March, all at Flemington. Unbeaten in four starts at Moonee Valley, she is suited back to the weight-for-age scale, and is attempting to defend her title in the A$1 million Point Motors William Reid Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). NZ TAB fixed odds: $1.65 & $1.15.