Te Akau Trans Tasman Boxing Day Preview

Te Akau Racing has 19 horses entered on Boxing Day: Ellerslie, Awapuni, Wingatui and Doomben (Brisbane).

Ellerslie:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:59 p.m. R2 4 Dynastic (2 c Almanzor - Meir) - Opie Bosson; ran home powerfully to win at the trials on 13 December at Rotorua, and debuts in the $60,000 2YO 1100 metres. He is from the first crop of European Champion Three-Year-Old Almanzor (Wotton Bassett), out of Meir (Volksraad), mile winning sister to impressive winner The Tidy Express (1600m - 2100m). Destined for further, he is likely to get back from the draw (8), but look for him getting home strongly - one of three in the race for the stable. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.70.

12:59 p.m. R2 7 Grace ‘N' Grey  (2 f Spirit of Boom - Gracious Grey) - Danielle Johnson; drew out to win at the trials on 15 November at Taupo, before a notable debut second to stable-mate I Choose You (I Am Invincible) in a Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 27 November at Te Aroha. She should race well again from barrier six in $60,000 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.30.

12:59 p.m. R2 11 Iff I Get Paid  (2 f Iffraaj - Vernal) - Craig Grylls; kept up a very good gallop for a close third at trials on 29 November at Matamata, form that stacked up in the two-year-old race on 20 December at Pukekohe, and she debuts in the $60,000 2YO 1100 metres. By internationally proven sire Iffraaj (Zafonic), her dam Vernal (Bernardini) is a half-sister to Group 1 winners Kidnapped (Viscount) and Hauraki (Reset) and Group 1 placed Academus (Lonhro). She requires luck from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.50.

2:44 p.m. R5 1 Belle En Rouge  (3 f Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Opie Bosson; produced a terrific third to stable-mate The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) - providing a Te Akau first four - on 13 November at Riccarton, and was freshened to win theEulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 11 December at Awapuni on her way back north. She's in great form and rates a top three prospect despite drawing the outside (9) in the $120,000 Jamieson Park Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m). Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.15.

3:19 p.m. R6 1 On the Bubbles  (3 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles) - Opie Bosson; completed a hat-trick in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), giving Te Akau its fifth consecutive juvenile crown, and ended his two-year-old season winning Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), the fourth in a row for Te Akau. He posted a terrific second in 3YO 1200 metres on 11 December at Te Rapa, and contests $80,000 Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m). He has a very good course record and rates top three prospect. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.30.

3:19 p.m. R6 4 Sophisticardo (3 g Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Danielle Johnson; was eye catching finishing fourth to stable-mate On the Bubbles (above) in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) last season, and ran the fastest 600m (33.8) closing for third in a 3YO 1200 metres on 11 December at Te Rapa. He drew the outside barrier (11) unfortunately but look for him getting home strongly. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.20.

3:54 p.m. R7 11 Image of You  (4 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Craig Grylls; made it two wins and two seconds this campaign with victory in a Rating 65 1600 metres on 20 November at Te Rapa, and it was a top run again for fourth there in a Rating 74 1400 metres on 18 December. Unfortunately she has copped a wide draw (18) which makes it tough in the $90,000 Stella Artois Championship Final (Special Conditions, 1500m), but will be competitive with any luck - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:54 p.m. R7 12 Campionessa  (4 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); resumed with solid third to subsequent Levin Stakes' (Listed, 1200m) winner Rose ‘N' Power (Power) in November at Te Rapa, and charged home late for third in a Rating 74 1400 metres on 4 December at Matamata. She too has drawn wide (16) which makes it a very tough ask in the $90,000 Stella Artois Championship Final (Special Conditions, 1500m) but she will be competitive with any luck. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

4:29 p.m. R8 7 Festivity (5 m I Am Invincible - Mabsam) - Opie Bosson; she would be freshened since the Taranaki Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) in October at Hawera, where she was inconvenienced on heavy ground, she trialled twice in preparation for the $80,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m). With four of five wins at 1200 metres, she has been an impressive performer on good footing, and is ideally drawn (5) - in an event with three stable starters.  Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.70.

4:29 p.m. R8 8 Romantic Lady   (5 m Power - Romantic Time) - Craig Grylls; produced a terrific run for second in the Levin Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 25 November at Otaki, and also contests the $80,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m). At her best she is competitive but requires a big dose of luck from her awkward draw (9). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.80.

4:29 p.m. R8 13 Vamos Bebe  (5 m I Am Invincible - Hurtle Myrtle) - Danielle Johnson; unleashed an impressive performance in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 23 October at Matamata, running the fastest 600m (33.5) on the day, and posted a solid fourth in the Counties Bowl (Listed, 1100m) on 20 November at Te Rapa. She won well at the trials on 13 December at Rotorua and rates a top three prospect  from barrier four in the $80,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m). Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.

5:04 p.m. R9 4 Prise De Fer  (6 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; freshened and trialled after a top third to stable-mate Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) in the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 16 October at Hastings, he worked through with a big run for second in Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 11 December at Te Rapa. Going well, with three wins on the course, he just requires luck from his tricky draw (12) to rate a first four chance in the $240,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2000m). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.

Awapuni:

Weather: fine, track: Dead6, rail: out 2 metres (inside bend). No rain forecast.

1:12 p.m. R3 7 Mohawk Brave  (3 g Extreme Choice - Ben's Duchess) - Niranjan Parmar (a4); flattened out with a good turn of foot for a debut victory in Maiden 3YO 1000 metres on 28 October at Te Aroha, with Parmar aboard. Unpressured making ground for fourth to stable-mate Vamos Bebe (above) at the trials on 13 December at Rotorua, and resuming in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres he rates top three prospect carrying 53.5kg. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.60.

2:22 p.m. R5 3 Need I Say More  (4 g No Nay Never - Bo Bardi) - Johnathan Parkes; winner of seven (six stakes' wins) from 11 starts, he spelled after two subpar performances in the spring and recently trialled in preparation to resume in the $40,000 Open 1200 metres. His best is certainly good enough to see him finish in the first four - one of a stable duo. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

2:22 p.m. R5 5 Top Brass (6 g Epaulette - Highlight) - Niranjan Parmar (a4); drew on reserves to win an Open 1200 metres on 4 December at Matamata, with Parmar aboard, and he too contests the $40,000 Open 1200 metres. He would likely attempt to lead from barrier one, and enjoys weight relief to 54.5kg, and he does possess tough qualities. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

4:12 p.m. R8 7 Perfect Scenario (4 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Courtney Barnes; was notable finishing third here in an Open 1400 metres on 11 December and steps up in the $40,000 Open 1550 metres. Stakes' placed in Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) last season, he has placed three from three on course, and can be competitive with luck from yet another awkward draw (11). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

Wingatui:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

3:45 p.m. R6 9 Irish Red (3 f Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Rohan Mudhoo; finished third in Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m), won easily over 1200 metres, and was freshened following 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November. She was held up and soft to the line for fourth when trialling on 14 December at Riccarton, and rates a top four proposition with luck from wide draw (13 - is there a theme here?) in the $30,000 2 & 3YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.50.

4:20 p.m. R7 4 Summer Monsoon  (7 g Stratum - Princess Narine) - Jason Laking; continued his outstanding form to powerfully win Stewards Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and made good ground for sixth in Open 1400 metres during Cup Week at Riccarton on the seven-day back up. He closed late for third when trialling on 14 December at Riccarton, and has first four claims from barrier four in the $60,000 Alleviate Administration Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

Doomben:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out .5 metres. 5mls rain forecast.

6:22 p.m. (NZ time) R6 10 Bright Blue Sky  (2 f Fastnet Rock - Blue Blue Sky) - Tommy Berry; quickened under her own steam to win very well when trialling on 4 November at Matamata, and impressed winning on debut on 20 November in Fasttrack Insurance 2YO Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Te Rapa. Freshened, she finished third when trialling on 14 December at Rosehill, with Berry aboard, and resumes in the $250,000 Magic Millions B J McLachlan Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) is strongly supported ($1.35), but Bright Blue Sky is certainly in the market with top three credentials. NZ TAB fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.50.