Te Akau Trans-Tasman Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Friday 6 October: Timaru, and Moonee Valley (Melbourne).

Timaru:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

1:08 p.m. R4 8 French Rose (4 m Burgundy – Paraiba) – Lisa Allpress; she trailed winning stable-mate Sorcha (Burgundy) when running home well for second in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1200 metres on 31 August at Riccarton (poly track), has been given time (36 days), and contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. She continues to race solidly and has first four claims with a decent trip from barrier 10. 

1:43 p.m. R5 9 Talisker (3 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Warren Kennedy; he strode clear to win easing down when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres (poly track) on 31 August at Riccarton, and contests $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. Last season he finished powerfully for second to stable-mate Trobriand (Kermadec) in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and stretched out late in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) won by stable-mate Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin). While he is up in grade against a stronger field, he has the ability to be a top three chance with luck from his wide draw (14). 

2:18 p.m. R6 2 Cote de Beaune (5 g Burgundy – Lucrative) – Lisa Allpress; he recorded back-to-back wins before being caught wide in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 2 September at Riccarton, won by subsequent winning stable-mate It’s Business Time (Turn Me Loose). Given time (34 days), he receives opportunity to bounce back in the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres but needs a good dose of luck from his wide gate (13) - one of two in the event for the team.

2:18 p.m. R6 12 Insatiable (4 g All Too Hard – All Day Baby) – Warren Kennedy; he received a perfect trip when resuming with victory in the Rating 65 1000 metres on 2 September at Riccarton, and steps up in the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres. Competitive in good fields, he shapes to measure up well if he can navigate ehe tricky barrier (10), and he has the rider board to assist this.

2:53 p.m. R7 6 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Warren Kennedy; she was held up before finishing strongly for second in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 13 September at Riccarton (poly track), and contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1600 metres. A Maiden winner over 1900 metres last season at New Plymouth, she has the credentials to deliver a top three finish with decent trip from barrier 10. 

3:20 p.m. R8 2 Our Milly Bee (4 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Warren Kennedy; she was unable to quicken when fifth in the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres on 13 September at Riccarton (poly track), and contests the corresponding race. Racing consistently, she can continue that trend if appreciative of the course at her first attempt. 

4:36 p.m. R10 1 Prismatic (5 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Warren Kennedy; he ran the equal fastest last 600m (35.7) on the day when winning the Rating 75 1600 metres on 27 August at Matamata, and produced a top run for second in the Rating 75 2000 metres on 16 September at Riccarton. Having already won at the distance, he presents as a top three chance in the $18,500 Rating 75 2200 metres.

Moonee Valley: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out 7 metres. Showers forecast. 

11:15 p.m. (NZ time) R7 4 Sans Doute (4 m Not A Single Doubt – My Prerogative) – Opie Bosson; she sustained a good gallop for second to stable-mate Zourion (Zoustar) when trialling on 15 September at Taupo, and resumes in the A$60,000 Benchmark 70 Mares 1000 metres. She impressed winning three times last season, was runner-up in Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), acts well fresh, and is ideally drawn (5) to rate a top three chance if appreciative of The Valley at her first attempt. She has the services of our stable jockey who certainly knows how to guide them home at this venue.  NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.60.