Te Akau Trans Tasman Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Friday 6 February at Tauherenikau, New Zealand, and two horses entered at Colac, Victoria. 

Tauherenikau:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

12:28 p.m. R1 6 Arctic Jewel (3 f Frosted – Miss Gem) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she finished fifth after racing handily in the Maiden 1200 metres on 23 January at Matamata, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1000 metres. She placed with good efforts in her first two starts, was a close fourth two starts ago, enjoys weight relief to 54kg, and rates a top three chance with decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $1.95 & $1.15. 

1:06 p.m. R2 1 Honour Roll (2 g Savabeel – Honor) – Bruno Queiroz; he began well to position nicely in third and drew out on the bridle for stylish win in trial on 20 January at Pukekohe. Debuting in the $18,500 2YO 1000 metres, brother to recent smart debut winner Get Honor, from Te Akau stable in Melbourne, and rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $3.70 & $1.45.

1:41 p.m. R3 1 Discretion Rules (4 g Alabama Express – Miss Madonna) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he worked forward to lead, took a handy advantage to the 200m, and was claimed late when a close up fourth in a Group & Listed trial on 23 January at Matamata, also with Hassman aboard. Resuming in the $18,500 Rating 65 1000 metres, the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) winner as two-year-old, he has the advantage of weight relief to 58.5kg, is handily drawn (5) and has the ability to perform well in a  fresh state. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $2.90.

2:51 p.m. R5 7 Paravane (4 m Merchant Navy – In The Vanguard) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she recorded a stylish fresh-up victory in the Rating 65 1150 metres on 26 November at Te Aroha, and finished well for third once clear in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 8 January at Tauranga, won by stable-mate When Stars Align (Zoustar). Continuing her association with Hassman, she has weight relief to 53kg, and is a genuine top three chance if things go right from barrier eight in the $18,500 Rating 75 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $2.45 & $1.30. 

Colac:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

7.00 p.m. (NZ time) R7 3 The Mighty Spar (8 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Liam Riordan; he resumed with terrific run for second in the Hanging Rock Cup (1800m) on 26 January at Kyneton, and contests the $80,000 Mortimer Petroleum Colac Cup (2000 metres). He won four jumping races in a row before ending campaign finishing second in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m), while contributing to trainer Mark Walker winning the JJ Houlahan Championship Jumps Trainer award. Preparing for jumps, but good first-up and ideally drawn (3) to race well again.

7.00 p.m. (NZ time) R8 8 Our Paramour (4 m Contributer – Victory Parade) – Liam Riordan; she remained back in leader dominated Benchmark 0 – 62 2050 metres on 21 January at Sandown, and contests the $35,000 Benchmark 0 – 62 2000 metres. She had fought well for fifth prior, Maiden winner over 2025 metres, and ideally drawn (3) to prove competitive.