Te Akau Three Venue Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 22 horses entered on Saturday 15 April: Te Rapa, Hastings, and Riccarton. 

Te Rapa:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast.

1:46 p.m. R3 5 Viva Vienna (2 f All Too Hard - Anna of Austria) - Warren Kennedy; she led from barrier one and did the job well when winning at the trials on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $30,000 2YO 1100 metres. She has shown promise in her three starts to date, including winning here in November and finishing second to stable-mate and Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin). She has the speed to race handily and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.25. 

2:20 p.m. R4 1 I Choose You (3 f I Am Invincible - Choose) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she has been given time (42 days) after missing the start in the Mufhasa Stakes (Listed, 1400m) here, and resumes in the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres. She proved a class above winning the Rating 65 1100 metres here on 3 February, is multiple stakes' placed, and rates a top three prospect from barrier three. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.45. 

2:20 p.m. R4 2 Puketiro (3 f Savabeel - Matakana) - Vinnie Colgan; she has also been given time (42 days) since winning the Rating 65 1400 metres at Awapuni, and likewise resumes in the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres. She impressed winning on debut, has a class factor, and has top three credentials, jumping from barrier one. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.45.

2:20 p.m. R4 3 Petrucci (3 f I Am Invincible - Via Napoli) - Warren Kennedy; she sprouted wings for her debut win in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres on 15 March at Matamata, and thens tepped up in grade winning the Rating 65 1000 metres on 26 March at Tauherenikau. She is hard to fault, winning two from two, and presents as a winning contender in the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.40. 

2:55 p.m. R5 6 Hero Worship (4 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Jessica Allen (a4); he bolstered his fine course record when storming home to win the Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 March at Matamata, and contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Providing Te Akau apprentice Jessica Allen with her first race day ride, he will get back from the draw (12) and expect to see him find the line strongly. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80. 

2:55 p.m. R5 7 Navalha (5 g Sebring - Afiado) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he has been given time (49 days) since the Rating 75 1400 metres in February at Matamata, and also contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Racing well, he performs when fresh, but requires luck from his difficult wide draw (15). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

2:55 p.m. R5 10 Pisco Sour (4 m I Am Invincible - Refreshing) - Warren Kennedy; she was not pressured when finding the line among the minors in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She impressed winning over 1200 metres, is placed at her only course attempt, and is certainly capable of a bold effort but is another that needs thing to go well from her wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10. 

3:27 p.m. R6 3 Aotea Lad (6 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Jessica Allen (a4); he sustained his run to win in terrific fashion when resuming the Open 1200 metres on 18 March at Tauranga, and ran the same last 600m (34.3) as the eventual winner in the corresponding event on 1 April at Avondale. Aided by weight relief to 54kg, he is ideally drawn (5) to rate a top three chance in the $35,000 Open 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.90. 

3:27 p.m. R6 7 Millefiori (4 m Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she roared home in the fastest last 600m (33.9) of the day to score under a light weight (52kg) in the Open 1400 metres on 25 March at Tauranga, and also lines up in the $35,000 Open 1400 metres. She staged a big run for fifth here prior, brings winning form to the challenge, and presents as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.50. 

4:38 p.m. R8 4 Zeitaku (4 g Savabeel - Miss Opulence) - Jessica Allen (a4); he ran home well for fourth to stable-mate Millefiori (above) in the Open 1400 metres on 25 March at Tauranga, and drops in grade for the $30,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. First and second in two course attempts, he has weight relief to 55.5kg, and should be finding line strongly if he can secure a decent trip from barrier 11. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80. 

4:38 p.m. R8 14 Zantabulous (3 f Almanzor - Zantelagh) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she ran the fastest last 600m when resuming over 1200 metres, before posting a dashing victory in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 March at Matamata. Stepping up in the $30,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, this classy grey filly will be right in the fight for line honours. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90. 

Hastings:

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

12:53 p.m. R2 1 What You Wish For (2 g Embellish - Grand Wish) - Craig Grylls; he finished strongly to win a trial on 21 March at Taupo and came from the rear, running the fastest last 600m (34.8) for second, on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1050 metres on 29 March at Matamata. Drawn barrier three in the $30,000 2YO 1300 metres, he rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $1.65 & $1.05. 

2:38 p.m. R5 4 Sophisticardo (4 g Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Kozzi Asano; he won well at the trials on 21 March at Taupo, and produced a top run for second to race rival Sumi (Atlante) when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 1 April at Awapuni. Ideally drawn (2) in the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, he is course/distance placed, and can deliver a first three finish. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

3:14 p.m. R6 8 Aris Aris (4 m Contributer - Irish Encore) - Kozzi Asano; she extended her very good record with a second-up victory in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 25 March at Tauranga, and contests the $65,000 Power Turf Sprint (Listed, 1200m). She is a top three proposition from the handy barrier three draw. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

3:14 p.m. R6 12 Pin Me Up (4 m Pins - Brampton Loco) - Craig Grylls; she resumed with a big run for third to stable-mate Aris Aris (above) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 25 March at Tauranga, and she too contests the $65,000 Power Turf Sprint (Listed, 1200m). The 2022 $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed, 1600m) winner and has the class to secure a podium finish but will require luck from her awkward draw (10). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20. 

3:50 p.m. R7 6 Fierce Flight (4 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Michael McNab; he was unlucky finishing second to subsequent Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) placed Ladies Man (Zed) in the Open Handicap 2200 metres on 4 March at Te Rapa, and delivered a top run for second in the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) on 18 March at Trentham. Racing very well, he has won three of his last seven starts, and is perfectly drawn (5) to rate a real danger in the $100,000 Power Farming Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m). Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.

3:50 p.m. R7 10 The Mighty Spar (5 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Craig Grylls; he came from last to beat a small but select field in the South Waikato Cup (Rating 86, 2000m) on 15 March at Matamata, and is another from the stable contesting the $100,000 Power Farming Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m). While he is likely to get back from his wide draw (11), he possesses the credentials to rate a top four chance in the race if run to suit. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

Riccarton:

Weather: drizzling, track: Heavy8, rail: out 4 metres.

3:07 p.m. R6 3 Family Ties (3 f Contributer - Glamazon) - Courtney Barnes; she peaked on her run in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) on 18 March at Trentham, and comes back in trip for the $65,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m). Impressive winning the Oaks' Prelude (Listed, 1800m), she closed hard for sixth in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m), and is expected to handle track conditions - one of three contesting the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20. 

3:07 p.m. R6 4 Miss Dunsford (3 f Dissident - She Chose Me) - Kavish Chowdhoory; she produced a huge effort for third to subsequent Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winning stable-mate Romancing The Moon (El Roca) in the NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 4 March at Wingatui, before finishing third again in the 3YO 1400 metres here on 25 March. A course winner, she is racing well, and is drawn (2) for an economical trip in the $65,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20.

3:07 p.m. R6 8 Alminette (3 f Burgundy - High Heels) - Corey Campbell; she fought hard for second off a tough trip in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 5 April at Ashburton, and is our third runner contesting the $65,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m). She is racing very well and has the ability to continue that trend. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.80.

4:17 p.m. R8 2 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Jason Laking; he closed late from well back for fifth to stable-mate and subsequent Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr. 2, 2000m) winner Brando (Savabeel) in the Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 25 March at Tauranga, and contests the $65,000 Avon City Ford Easter Cup (Listed, 1600m). He won the White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 4 February at Wingatui, brings impressive course/distance winner to this, and warrants favouritism. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.30.