Te Akau Trans-Tasman Boxing Day Preview
25 December, 2023
Te Akau Racing has 14 horses entered on Boxing Day (26 December): Pukekohe, Wingatui, and Caulfield (Melbourne).
Pukekohe:
Weather: showery, track: Soft5, rail: true. 14mls rain forecast 25th and 3mls 26th.
12:40 p.m. R1 4 Cool ‘N’ Fast (2 c Savabeel – Cool ‘N’ Sassy) – Opie Bosson; he drew out to win after co-leading trial on 5 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $80,000 2YO 1100 metres. Following a close second to subsequent impressive winning stable-mate Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) in his first trial, he is the full brother of Te Akau trained Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Group 1 winner Cool Aza Beel, now at stud in Australia, the colt has the speed to negate barrier eight and rates a top three chance - one of two juveniles on debut in the first. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.25.
12:40 p.m. R1 8 Kansas Storm (2 f Savabeel – Kansas) – Michael McNab; she quickened into the clear at the 150m mark, and then finished strongly for second to Cool ‘N’ Fast (above) in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and also debuts in the $80,000 2YO 1100 metres. There is a depth of quality in her family and, likely to find cover, any replication of her trial would see her right in the thick of the finish.emulation would rate her top three. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.85.
1:15 p.m. R2 1 Petrucci (4 m I Am Invincible – Via Napoli) – Opie Bosson; she finished strongly for a close fifth to stable-mate Freeze Frame (Vadamos) in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 2 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $80,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She was a notable fourth in an Open Handicap 1200 metres here two starts ago, has a good record, and rates a top three prospect if she can secure a decent trip from outside gate (9). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.55.
2:30 p.m. R4 5 Wild Night (4 g Vanbrugh – Supreme) – Opie Bosson; he resumed with an eye-catching effort for third in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 30 November at Otaki, and ran home fine in a trial on 22 December at Matamata. He won the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at the corresponding meet last year, placed here in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m), and rates a top three chance from barrier one in the $90,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.65.
3:42 p.m. R6 1 Tokyo Tycoon (3 g Satono Aladdin – All About The Coin) – Opie Bosson; he resumed with a solid third in the 3YO 1200 metres on 16 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $225,000 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). He became the seventh consecutive winner for Te Akau in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) here last season, Champion Two-Year-Old, and presents as a top three prospect with a decent trip from barrier nine - the first of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.
3:42 p.m. R6 11 Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Michael McNab; she resumed with the fastest last 600m (33.0) on the day for second to race rival Pendragon (U S Navy Flag) in the 3YO 1200 metres on 16 December at Te Rapa, and likewise contests the $225,000 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). She unleashed powerfully to cement a hat-trick in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), has a smart record, and rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.
5:27 p.m. R9 3 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Blake Shinn; he fought hard for a close second in the Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 16 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $450,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m). Runner-up in the corresponding event last year, he does prefer decent footing but is ideally drawn (3) to race well - the first of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.60.
5:27 p.m. R9 8 Campionessa (6 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Opie Bosson; she resumed with a big effort to win the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) here on 25 November, and raced clear to win the Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 16 December at Te Rapa. Second in both the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 1, 2050m) last season, she will make her presence felt if the track holds up in the $450,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m). Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.45.
6:08 p.m. R10 3 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he ran on from beyond midfield for fifth in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 16 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $80,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He resumed with an eye-catching fifth off an economical trip in the Rating 65 1200 metres here prior, has shown to handle give in the track, but requires luck from the wide draw (14) - the first of two for the stable.. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.
6:08 p.m. R10 8 Francee (4 m Iffraaj – Calveen) – Opie Bosson; she burst through late for second, running the fastest last 600m (35.0), in the Rating 65 1230 metres on 10 December at Rotorua, and also contests the $80,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She built to a nice win over 1400 metres in May at Matamata, can handle give in ground, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.60.
Wingatui:
Weather: showery, track: Soft7, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast 26th.
1:30 p.m. R3 3 Valorious (3 g Heroic Valour – Maputo Express) – Tina Comignaghi; he controlled the pace and won easily on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 8 December at Riccarton (poly-track). Collared late for a close third in trial on 22 November at Taupo prior, he meets a stronger field in the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres but speed to negate awkward draw (8). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.55.
3:22 p.m. R6 1 Millefiori (5 m Iffraaj – Miss Bluebell) – Joe Kamaruddin; she quickened nicely near the rail for a close fourth in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and resumes in the $80,000 Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m). Highest rated, she carries the top weight of 59kg, but she has the ability to well act fresh and handles give in the ground - the first of a stable duo. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.
3:22 p.m. R6 11 Kai (5 m Ocean Park – Brilliant Blush) – Kylie Williams; she ran home well in a trial on 11 December at Ellerslie, and also resumes in the $80,000 Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m). She ended her previous campaign with an unrelenting finish to win the Rating 75 1300 metres on 21 October at Te Rapa, handles wet ground, and carries the minimum weight (53kg), but requires luck from her outside gate (14). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.
Caulfield:
Weather: showers, track: Good4, rail: true. 30mls rain forecast 25th and 5mls 26th.
5:40 p.m. (NZ time) - 3:40 p.m. (Vic) R5 16 Rubicon Crossing (3 f Rubick – Miss Foxwood) – Jamie Kah; she was unable to quicken off an economical trip when fifth in the Benchmark 70 1000 metres on 3 December at Warrnambool, and contests the A$65,000 Benchmark 70 1100 metres. A smart fresh-up winner over 1000 metres in Australia, she will be required to handle the likelihood of deteriorating ground. NZ TAB fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.