Te Akau Trans Tasman Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Friday 8 December: Riccarton, and Moonee Valley (Melbourne).

Riccarton: 

Weather: cloudy, track: poly track, rail: true. 

2:47 p.m. R1 6 Valorious (3 g Heroic Valour – Maputo Express) – Warren Kennedy; he began smartly to cross and lead before being collared late for a close third in trial on 22 November at Taupo, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He drew clear to win a trial on the poly track prior at Cambridge, and is ideally drawn (4) to rate a top three chance one of two in the event for the stable. 

2:47 p.m. R1 15 Sailing Away (3 g Merchant Navy – Anchovy) – Lisa Allpress; he finished back but ran home fine in a trial on 13 November at Waipa, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Handily drawn (6), look for him to be finding the line. 

3:57 p.m. R3 4 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Warren Kennedy; she capped a hat-trick of seconds with a nice victory in the Rating 65 2000 metres here on New Zealand Cup Day (18 Nov.), and contests the $25,000 Rating 75 2100 metres. She has raced well in both poly track starts on the course and rates a top three chance. 

5:07 p.m. R5 9 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Warren Kennedy; she did well from back in the field for fifth in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on New Zealand Cup Day (18 Nov.), and contests the $25,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. She resumed in August with consecutive poly track wins over 1200 metres on the course (winning two Pearl Bonuses in the process), running the fastest last 600m in both, and she certainly is capable of a podium finish.

6:59 p.m. R8 2 Angels Wings (4 m Heroic Valour – Gowana) – Warren Kennedy; she sustained her run while holding her position in trial on 13 November at Waipa, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She ended her previous campaign winning on the poly track at Cambridge and Awapuni, and presents as a top three chance from barrier five. 

Moonee Valley: 

Weather: showers, track: Soft5, rail: out 5 metres.

9:15 p.m. (NZ time) R3 2 Rhetorical (3 f Snitzel – Xpression) – Michael Dee; she resumed with a good effort for third to stable-mate Viva Vienna (All Too Hard) in the 3YO 1000 metres on 2 September and finished fourth to her in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 16 September, both at Riccarton. Resuming from barrier one in the A$60,000 Benchmark 64 1000 metres, she finished third in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) last season and has the ability to act in a fresh state. NZ TAB Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.00 (main picture).

10:15 p.m. (NZ time) R5 4 Savoir Faire (4 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Wiremu Pinn (a2); he capped two good efforts when racing away for victory in the Benchmark 64 2000 metres on 10 November at Pakenham (Victoria), and contests the A$60,000 Benchmark 70 2040 metres. Stakes' placed in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m), he has some weight relief to 60kg and is ideally drawn (4) to race well again if appreciative of the course at his first attempt. NZ TAB Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.