Te Akau Trans-Tasman Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Friday 13 September at Matamata, and Geelong, Victoria.

Matamata:

Weather: cloudy, track: Heavy8, rail: out 10 metres. Showers forecast. 

1:43 p.m. R3 3 Court Of Appeal (4 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Opie Bosson; she was unfortunately unable to quicken on Heavy10 footing when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 4 September, and contests the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). She will be aided by the increased distance she faces here, as well as the slightly improved footing. Having placed three times to 2000 metres in her first campaign, and from a staying type family, it appears a win is not too far off. 

2:18 p.m. R4 1 Merlotti (5 g Burgundy – Ruppertsberg) – Warren Kennedy; he has been given time (30 days) since the Rating 60 1300 metres at Cambridge (poly-track), and contests the $18,500 Rating 60 1050 metres in a fresh state. He is a previous course winner over 1200 metres on Soft6 footing in April, and his best efforts have been with give in the ground, so look for him to be finishing strongly with the newly crowned 2023/24 Champion Jockey of the Year engaged.

3:27 p.m. R6 6 Charmrose (4 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose) – Vinnie Colgan; she quickened to win trial on 6 August at Te Rapa, but finished back in field when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres on 21 August at Taupo. She has been a slower maturing type of mare, and while she receives the opportunity to show improvement in the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres, she will need a big dose of luck from her 'carpark' gate (15). 

4:02 p.m. R7 3 Mazzucato (4 m Tivaci – Yellen) – Opie Bosson; she remained on the bridle when running on strongly for second in a trial on 3 September at Cambridge (poly-track), and resumes in the $18,500 Rating 65 1400 metres. She was a dual winner last season over 1400 metres at Riccarton, and concluded her previous campaign with solid efforts in stakes' races. She has placed at her only course attempt and rates a top three chance. 

Geelong:

Weather: showers, track: Good4, rail: out 7 metres 1800m – 800m, remainder out 9 metres. No rain forecast. 

3.10 p.m. (NZ) ~ 1.10p.m. (Vic) R1 6 Exuberance (3 f Savabeel – Miss Opulence) – Blake Shinn; she sustained a big effort for third in a trial on 6 August at Te Rapa, and circled from last with a strong finish for second in a jump out on 2 September at Cranbourne. Debuting in the A$27,000 Maiden 1140 metres, she is the sister to talented former stable-mate Zeitaku, the winner of three races: 1300m – 1400m. She hails from the family of Champion Middle Distance Horse Sir Slick and Group 1 NZ Derby winner and sire Puccini. She displayed ability for a first and two thirds when trialling in New Zealand, and a bold run expected, despite the negative draw she has copped (12). NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.70.