Te Akau Trans Tasman Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Friday 19 December at Matamata, New Zealand and one horse entered at Cranbourne, Victoria.

Matamata:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast Friday morning.  ?

4:03 p.m. R2 5 Arctic Jewel (3 f Frosted – Miss Gem) – Craig Grylls; she did good job to finish second on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 6 November at Avondale, and staged a big run from the outside gate (13) for third in the Maiden 1150 metres on 26 November at Te Aroha, also with Grylls aboard. Contesting the $25,000 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres, she has the blinkers on, and looks a real top three chance from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.70.

5:09 p.m. R4 6 Born To Be Royal (3 f King’s Legacy – Fatal Rendezvous) – Wiremu Pinn; she settled beyond midfield, nine lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and sustained a strong finish for third when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 26 November at Te Aroha. One of two stable runners contesting the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres, she has placed in both course attempts, including Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes over 1200m, but will need to overcome the sticky gate (14) to deliver a top three finish, of which she is more than capable. Fixed odds: $5.90 & $2.15.

5:09 p.m. R4 13 She Suits Herself (3 f Savile Row – Sleepy Girl) – Vinnie Colgan; she was ridden positively to land outside the leader, took an advantage on straightening, and sustained a solid gallop for second in trial on 9 December at Pukekohe. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres, this is a good career starting point on her home track. She is from a talented staying family, but she too has drawn wide (11) and may appreciate some give in the ground. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.60.

5:42 p.m. R5 1 Cool ‘N’ Fast (4 g Savabeel – Cool ‘N’ Sassy) – Craig Grylls; he was closing late for fifth in the Rating 65 1150 metres on 26 November at Te Aroha, won by stable-mate Paravane (Merchant Navy), and is one of two starters for the stable in the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He did very well to finish third when resuming in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 6 September at Ellerslie, impressed winning debut as two-year-old, and comes in to this race as a genuine top three prospect if he can secure a decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.

5:42 p.m. R5 6 Crown Princess (4 m Embellish – Princess Davone) – Wiremu Pinn; she travelled outside the leader in a field of three, challenged entering the home straight and knuckled down to win a trial on 25 November at Te Aroha. Resuming in the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, she was an impressive Maiden winner over 1560 metres at Rotorua, also with Pinn aboard, and ended last season with a solid fifth in Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes over 2000m. She did well in all three starts last season after returning from a serious transportation injury when heading to the races - it is just great to see her bounce back so well - she has the talent to deliver a solid first-up effort from barrier six. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.05.

6:14 p.m. R6 2 El Viento (5 g El Roca – Mandeville) – Rory Hutchings; he travelled outside the leader and fought well for second in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 21 November at New Plymouth. Given time (28 days) and patiently handled (including some extra gate tuition), he contests the $25,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, has won two of three starts on home course, and brings right form to rate a top three chance from barrier one - one of a stable duo in the race. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.75.

6:14 p.m. R6 8 Zantabulous (6 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Wiremu Pinn; she finished strongly for third when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 1 November at Tauranga, and is another who has been patiently handled since a solid performance in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 22 November at Pukekohe. Also contesting the $25,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, she has been a dual course winner among her three victories to 1600 metres, appreciates give in ground, and definitely has the ability to prove competitive if things go her way from her tricky barrier (9).  Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.20. 

Cranbourne:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 9 metres. No rain forecast. 

11:08 p.m. (NZ) - 9:08 p.m. (Vic) R7 10 Seven Oceans (3 f Flying Artie – With Purpose) – Jamie Mott; she came from second last with a strong finish for second in the Benchmark 62 1000 metres on 27 November at Mornington, and contests the A$40,000 Benchmark 62 1000 metres. A course/distance winner three starts ago, she shows the ability to handle the rise in grade, and is ideally drawn (4) to prove competitive in a good form field. NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.75. 

Main picture - Zantabulous winning