Te Akau Te Aroha Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Wednesday 26 November at Te Aroha.   

Te Aroha: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 5.5 metres. Showers forecast. 

2:45 p.m. R3 7 King’s English (3 c Snitzel – English) – Craig Grylls; he ran on well for third in the first of his two starts at Taupo, most recently in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 10 October, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1150 metres. He has been patiently handled, and has been given time (47 days) since last racing and he looks a top three chance if last season’s leading rider can navigate the difficult gate (8).  Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.35.

3:20 p.m. R4 9 Arctic Jewel (3 f Frosted – Miss Gem) – Craig Grylls; she did good job after racing handily to finish second on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 6 November at Avondale, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1150 metres. She’s a filly who has shown natural talent through her trials’ stage, and this was reflected in her first-up effort. She has the ability to make things interesting at the business end of proceedings, if she can overcome her dreadful draw (13). Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.50.

3:55 p.m. R5 10 Born To Be Royal (3 f King’s Legacy – Fatal Rendezvous) – Craig Grylls; she was easy from the gates to settle back, and then finished strongly down the outside for second in a trial on 14 November at Avondale. Resuming in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, she has undoubted ability which was seen in her third in Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes over 1200m)last season, won by stable-mate La Dorada, who went on to be the season’s Champion 2YO. Unfortunately - she too has drawn awkwardly (10) so it would seem that her options are limited, and she could well adopt similar tactics to trial. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.55.

6:25 p.m. R9 1 Cool ‘N’ Fast (4 g Savabeel – Cool ‘N’ Sassy) – Vinnie Colgan; he ruined his chances when rearing at the start in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 10 October at Taupo, and he’s another who has been given time to prepare to his return to racing (47 days). Contesting the $25,000 Rating 65 1150 metres, he did very well to finish third when resuming in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 6 September at Ellerslie, and impressed winning his debut as two-year-old - one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.15.

6:25 p.m. R9 6 Paravane (4 m Merchant Navy – In The Vanguard) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she trailed in third from barrier one and remained well held together in the straight when trialling on 23 October at Ellerslie. Resuming in the $25,000 Rating 65 1150 metres, she quickened clear for an easy fresh-up win over 1200 metres last season, has weight relief to 54kg with the apprentice engagement, and possesses the ability to prove competitive if she has any luck from - you guessed it, story of the meeting, her wide gate (10). Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.65.

6:59 p.m. R10 1 I Am Nutz (4 g I Am Invincible – Pecans) – Craig Grylls; he ran home well for fifth after racing three back on the rail in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 15 November at Tauranga, won by stable-mate Charmrose. Contesting the $25,000 Rating 68 1400 metres, he is a previous course winner over 1200 metres, and like all those racing before him, he has the handicap of the difficult gate (8) to overcome. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.10.