Te Akau Trans Tasman Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has two horses entered on Friday 24 April at Otaki, New Zealand and two horses entered at Werribee, Victoria. 

Otaki: 

Weather: fine, track: Heavy10, rail: out 5 metres. No rain forecast. 

1:02 p.m. R1 7 Emma Twigg (3 f El Roca – Megara) – Craig Grylls; she recorded a strong debut victory on Soft5 footing in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1150 metres on 6 March at Te Aroha, and did well for fourth there on Heavy10 in the 3YO 1400 metres on 28 March. Contesting the $35,000 3YO 1400 metres, she brings solid form and should be a first four chance in a small but select field. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.90. 

4:09 p.m. R6 12 Zantabulous (6 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Craig Grylls; she was claimed on the line by subsequent Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m) winner Lupo Solitario after quickening through to lead in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 20 March at Pukekohe. Up in class for the $80,000 Listed Jenian Homes Anzac 1600 metres, she is a mare who has had many niggles over time but is now racing in career best form, won’t mind the conditions, and is ideally drawn (5) to be competitive force in a good field. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.10. 

Werribee:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast. 

5:10 p.m. (NZ) - 3:10 p.m. (Vic) R5 11 Future Frankie (3 f Frankel – Mirai E) – Liam Riordan; she displayed resilience to win Maiden 1860 metres on 29 March at Avoca after doing a lot of work in the lead, and contests the A$27,000 Benchmark 62 2238 metres. She tried hard in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) during three starts in her first campaign, was a second-up winner this time in, and this is a good opportunity for her to prove herself stepping up in grade. The main challenge for her will be her tricky barrier (10). 

7:05 p.m. (NZ) - 5:05 p.m. (Vic) R8 7 Seven Oceans (3 f Flying Artie – With Purpose) – Declan Bates; she picked up well for third after travelling handily in a jump out on 13 April at Cranbourne, and resumes in the A$27,000 Benchmark 62 1012 metres. Her last preparation delivered a win and two second placings from three starts over 1000 metres, she is ideally drawn (5) to race well first-up. 

Main picture - Zantabulous winning