Te Akau Super Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 21 horses entered on Saturday 23 October: Matamata, Riccarton, Royal Randwick (Sydney) and Moonee Valley (Melbourne).

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 3.5 metres. No rain forecast.

12.37 p.m. R1 5 Seajetz (4 g Iffraaj - Bellazeel) - Danielle Johnson; remained back when resuming in a Rating 74 1300 metres on 17 September at Taupo, won by stable-mate Maasir (Proisir), and made it three from three on course when winning the Rating 74 1500 metres on 3 October at Te Aroha. Up two kilos to carry 58.5kg in $30,000 Rating 74 1600 metres, he finished second at his only course/distance attempt and rates a top three prospect from barrier six. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

1.12 p.m. R2 7 Image of You (4 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Danielle Johnson; resumed with a strong winning performance in a Maiden 1300 metres on 6 October at Taupo, charging between horses, and she steps up in $30,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She has unfortunately drawn wide (12) but should be getting home strongly again. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

1.47 p.m. R3 4 Fellini  (2 g Belardo - Silke Top) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); finished strongly for a close second when trialling on 14 October at Taupo, and debuts in $30,000 2YO 1000 metres. Well educated, with weight relief to 55kg, he should race well with right trip from barrier eight. He has the honour of being the first of Te Akau's two year olds to step out on race day. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70.

2.23 p.m. R4 6 Luxuriant  (4 m Iffraaj - Opulent) - Niranjan Parmar (a4); was good through line in quiet trial on 28 September at Cambridge (poly-track), and debuts in the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. From the beautifully bred Keeper (Danehill) mare that Te Akau trained to win three races and finish fifth at Group 3 level, she has weight relief to 53.5kg, has drawn barrier one, and is capable of bold performance. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $4.50.

2.23 p.m. R4 7 Polaris  (3 g Deep Field - Miss Fi) - Danielle Johnson; produced a notable effort for close fourth on debut in a Maiden 3YO 1000 metres on 6 October at Taupo, and contests the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He is ideally drawn (4) to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

2.57 p.m. R5 6 Vamos Bebe  (5 m I Am Invincible - Hurtle Myrtle) - Danielle Johnson; never got into race from a wide draw (12) when resuming in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 18 September at Hastings. Talented and consistent prior and given time (35 days), she can bounce back from barrier two and can post a podium finish in the $30,000 Rating 74 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.25.

3.33 p.m. R6 1 Imperatriz  (3 f I Am Invincible - Berimbau) - Danielle Johnson; made it consecutive wins as a two-year-old in Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, and resumed beating stable-mate I Wish I Win (Savabeel) in the Northland Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 4 September at Te Rapa. Given time (35 days) since her close third in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 18 September at Hastings, she rates top three chance despite drawing wide (12) in $80,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). The first of a Te Akau trio of fillies to contest this event transferred from Ellerslie. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.60.

3.33 p.m. R6 6 Millefiori (3 f Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); won two of three starts as two-year-old and although yet to threaten in two starts this season, she was fine through line in a 3YO 1200 metres on 1 October at Te Rapa. Nicely drawn (5) in the $80,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), she has talent to compete. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $7.50.

3.33 p.m. R6 8 Belle En Rouge  (3 f Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Sarah Macnab; followed two good performances for second and fourth, respectively, racing away by three lengths in NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1300 metres on 6 October at Taupo. Up in class for the $80,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), she should race well from barrier one. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.50.

3.33 p.m. R6 14 The Perfect Pink  (3 f Savabeel - The Solitaire) - Ashvin Goindasamy; made ground for fourth when resuming in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 4 September at Te Rapa, and was eye-catching late winning NZB Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1300 metres on 22 September at Cambridge (poly-track). Given time (31 days), she should be fighting out the finish in the $80,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.60.

4.08 p.m. R7 5 Mai Tai (5 m Atlante - Tropical Punch)- Danielle Johnson; ended her previous campaign winning the Anzac Mile (Listed, 1550m) at Awapuni, and posted a solid sixth when resuming in a Open 1400 metres on 2 October at Hastings. Quickly through grades, having won five from 11, she has first three claims from the good barrier (3) in the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.60.

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: out 8 metres to 1000m and 11 metres to winning post. No rain forecast.

11.45 a.m. R1 13 Irish Red  (3 f Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Kozzi Asano; finished third in Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 18 September and was eye-catching when third again in a Maiden 1400 metres on 2 October, both at Riccarton. Deserving of a win, she has side winkers on and has the ability to feature in the finish in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.25.

12.20 p.m. R2 12 Shepherd's Delight  (3 f Rip Van Winkle - Safari Sunset) - Kozzi Asano; came off the trail for a close second in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 8 October at Timaru, and steps up in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She rates a top three chance with the right trip from barrier 12. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.40.

2.05 p.m. R5 1 Challa (5 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Sanu Toolooa (a3); finished close when resuming here in a very competitive $30,000 Rating 74 1200 metres on 2 October and contests a corresponding event. Runner-up in first three starts at Riccarton, including the  Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m), he receives weight relief to 58kg in a strong field. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.

3.15 p.m. R7 9 Zouluminous  (5 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Rohan Mudhoo (a1); resumed with a midfield performance in a Rating 74 1400 metres on 18 September and improved for a notable fourth in a Rating 74 1600 metres on 2 October, both at Riccarton. She is capable of a first four finish from barrier two in $30,000 Rating 74 1800 metres. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3.50 p.m. R8 3 Noverre  (3 c Savabeel - Magic Dancer) - Jason Laking; wound up strongly for third when resuming in Rating 65 1200 metres on 4 September at Te Rapa, and ran the fastest last 600m (33.6) for second to race rival Field Of Gold (Starspangledbanner) in 3YO 1400 metres here on 2 October. He has first three claims in $90,000 War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.40.

4.25 p.m. R9 3 Markus Aurelius (5 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Jason Laking; finished well once clear when resuming in the Open 1200 metres on 18 September and posted a top run for second in the Open 1400 metres on 2 October, both at Riccarton. The winner of six from 14, including a hat-trick earlier this year, he possesses a very good course record and rates a first three prospect from barrier two in $40,000 Open 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.50.

4.25 p.m. R9 9 Secret Amour (5 m Niagara - My Secret) - Rohan Mudhoo (a1); produced a notable fresh-up third in Rating 74 1200 metres on 6 September at Ashburton, and was very strong winning Rating 74 1200 metres on 8 October at Timaru. She rises in class for the $40,000 Open 1400 metres but carries the minimum weight (53kg). The winner of four from 10, she rates a top three contender from the handy four barrier. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

4.58 p.m. R10 5 Leaderboard (7 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Kozzi Asano; ended previous campaign winning consecutively to 2400 metres, resumed with strong closing fourth in Open 1600 metres on 6 September at Ashburton, but never was in Open 2000 metres here on 2 October. Two wins from three starts on course (1600m & 2000m) and he receives opportunity to bounce back in $60,000 Sothys Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

Randwick:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 8 metres 1000m to winning post, 5 metres remainder. No rain forecast.

7.35 p.m. (NZ time) R9 6 Entriviere  (5 m Tavistock - Marcey's Belt) - Tommy Berry; resumed with a dominant victory in Coolmore Sheraco Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 11 September at Kembla Grange, and circled from last with big run for third in Golden Pendant (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 25 September at Rosehill - with the best final sectionals of any race on the day. Second in quiet trial on 8 October at Randwick behind the talented Classic Legend, she contests $2m The Invitation (1400m). Awkwardly drawn (11), but winner of six from nine and never further back than third, she rates a definite top three chance despite her tricky barrier. NZ TAB Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50.

Moonee Valley:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast Friday, 12mls Saturday.

7.10 p.m. (NZ time) R9 7 Probabeel  (5 m Savabeel - Far Fetched) - Brett Prebble; resumed with victory in W.W. Cockram Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 28 August and was a close fifth in Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 18 September, both at Caulfield. She produced a great run for second to Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux) in Underwood Stakes (Gr. 1, 1800m) on 25 September at Sandown, and turned tables with a great victory in the Might And Power Caulfield Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) a fortnight ago. A quadruple Group 1 winner in Australia, she brings tremendous form to the 101st $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) with best prospects if the footing remains reasonable. NZ TAB fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.50.