Te Akau Trans Tasman G1 Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 16 horses entered on Saturday 28 March: Te Aroha and Trentham, New Zealand; one horse entered at Flemington, Melbourne, and one horse entered at Rosehill, Sydney.?

Te Aroha: 

Weather: showers, track: Heavy10, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday.

12:12 p.m. R1 8 Geneva Queen (3 f Swiss Ace – Sigiriya) – Courtney Barnes; she sustained a big finish from well back in the field for second, running the fastest last 600m (34.2) on day, when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres on 11 March at Matamata. One of two stable runners contesting the $25,000 Maiden 1150 metres, there is evidence of family members in her pedigree handling wet ground and she does rate a top three chance with any luck from her wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.35. 

12:12 p.m. R1 9 Paper Moon (3 f Savabeel – Kansas) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she circled from last with a good finish for fifth in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres on 11 March at Matamata, and also contests the Maiden 1150 metres with weight relief to 54kg. She won her first trial as two-year-old on heavy ground, but there is a question mark whether she will really appreciate the conditions, and she too has drawn abysmally (12).  Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.35.

12:45 p.m. R2 2 Altari (4 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Courtney Barnes; the first of two stable starters in this event, he raced well for third in the South Waikato Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) on 11 March at Matamata, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 2200 metres. It was a solid effort stepping up to middle-distance for the first time at Matamata, and on the strength of that, he does have first four credentials if he handles the going. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.65.

12:45 p.m. R2 5 Crown Princess (4 m Embellish – Princess Davone) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she picked a path near the rail from back in the field for second in the South Waikato Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) on 11 March at Matamata, and also lines up in the contests the Rating 75 2200 metres with weight relief to 54kg. She recorded a strong victory two starts ago in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 22 February at Taupo, and while her two wins have been on good footing, she nonetheless  looks a top three chance if she handles prevailing conditions - she’s our come-back Queen from a near death float injury heading to the races last year - just so happy to see her back. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.25.

1:20 p.m. R3 3 Queen’s Evidence (3 f King’s Legacy – Enjay) – Courtney Barnes; she was unable to quicken from rear on Heavy8 footing in the 3YO 1200 metres on 14 March at Tauranga, and contests the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres. The first of a stable duo, she has been twice stakes’ placed over 1200 metres and is a very genuine filly, but much depends on her coping with the heavy conditions. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.15.

1:20 p.m. R3 8 Emma Twigg (3 f El Roca – Megara) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she recorded a strong debut victory on Soft5 footing in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1150 metres here on 6 March, and also contests the 3YO 1400 metres. She does step up in class, but did win well on course - it’s interesting to note that her half-brother and former Te Akau trained Accidental Tourist (Telperion) has recorded four of five wins on heavy tracks, and she can definitely deliver a top three finish. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.80.

1:57 p.m. R4 7 Brazen Affair (4 m Brazen Beau – Southern Romance) – Corentin Berge; she remained back when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 28 February at Matamata, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1150 metres. A dual trial winner on heavy tracks, she ended her previous campaign with three wins and three seconds from six starts on the poly-track at Cambridge, and an improved performance can be expected if she too can handle the challenging conditions. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.20.

2:37 p.m. R5 12 Viva Glam (4 m Savabeel – Style By Design) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she was unable to quicken out of midfield when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres last Sunday at Matamata, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She recorded a dominant Maiden win on a Heavy9 track last season, has the plus of weight relief to 54.5kg, is twice placed at this distance, and receives her opportunity to improve. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.

3:12 p.m. R6 5 Colonel Warden (4 g Russian Revolution – Moralto) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he sustained a strong finish while closing the margin for third in a trial on 10 March at Ellerslie, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Two of his three wins have come on poly-tracks, however he does race well when fresh up, drops to 55kg with our apprentice engaged, but he is yet another required to handle conditions - how can this be March we can all ask! Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.60.

3:47 p.m. R7 12 Balance Of Power (5 g Almanzor – Respin) – Courtney Barnes; he finished off nicely when held together behind the leaders for fourth when trialling on 17 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres. He has previously been a course/distance winner on Soft5 going, has notched up four wins to 2000 metres, has the ability to race well fresh, but sounding like a stuck record, he needs to be able to deal with the track conditions. Fixed odds: $19.00 & $4.80.

Trentham: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: true. 2mls rain forecast Friday and 4mls rain Saturday.

12:30 p.m. R1 1 When Stars Align (4 g Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Opie Bosson; he continued his good current form when fighting well for second in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 7 March at New Plymouth, and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Has won two of his last five starts, was a course winner on debut, and while he carries top weight (60kg) he brings the right form to present as a genuine top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.50.

2:53 p.m. R5 4 What You Wish For (5 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Masa Hashizume; he came from last in the fastest final 600m (34.2) for second in the Open Handicap 1600 metres here last Saturday, and contests the $200,000 Group 2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). He was fourth in this corresponding event last year, is racing in career best form, and is more than capable of delivering a top three result. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.50. 

3:28 p.m. R6 4 Seize The Day (2 c I Am Invincible – Zimaretto) – Opie Bosson; he ran the fastest last 600m (34.2) for third on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 21 February at Ellerslie, and was the same again (34.6) when displaying a good action to win the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 11 March at Matamata. Contesting the $550,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), he has unfortunately drawn wide (11) which does not aid his quest but he should rate a top three chance nonetheless. Fixed odds: $2.45 & $1.30. 

Te Akau has won the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) nine times – seven of the previous eight – including last year with Champion Two-Year-Old La Dorada (Super Seth).

4:38 p.m. R8 2 Qali Al Farrasha (5 m Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Bruno Queiroz; the first of three Te Akau mares lining up in the other feature, she did well fighting hard for fourth on Heavy8 in the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) on 14 March at Tauranga, and contests the $600,000 Group 1 Sportnation.nz NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Quadruple Group One placed, she is simply a terrific mare with excellent credentials, who has placed in both her prior course attempts, and she can certainly be right in the thick of the finish. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.40.

4:38 p.m. R8 3 Quintessa (5 m Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Opie Bosson; she finished strongly from back in the field for third in the Group 2 Dubai Classic (1400m) on Champions Day (7 March) at Ellerslie, and is the second stable mare contesting the Group 1 Sportnation.nz NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. A dual Group One winner in the Levin Classic (1600m) – at Trentham – and the Proisir Plate (1400m), there is no question she possesses the class to also rate a top three chance from barrier four. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.70.

4:38 p.m. R8 5 Captured By Love (4 m Written Tycoon – Moldova) – Craig Grylls; she did the job nicely when winning the Rabobank Cup (Open Handicap, 1400 metres) on 22 February at Taupo, and has since run home strongly for third in a trial on 17 March, also at Taupo. The third of the Te Akau trio in the Group 1  Sportnation.nz NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, she was the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner, has won two of her last three starts, brings good course record to the battle, and also right form to make a statement here. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.20.

Rosehill:

Weather: showers, track: Soft7, rail: out 5 metres. 4mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday.

5:25 p.m. (NZ) - 3:25 p.m. (NSW) R6 2 Belle Cheval (3 f Savabeel – Keepa Cheval) – Zac Lloyd; she stormed home from back in the field for unlucky second (nose) in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) on Champions Day (7 March) at Ellerslie, and contests the A$750,000 Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes over 2000m. She has fashioned a terrific record: three wins, second, and two thirds, from six starts, including two Group Three wins and also being Group One placed. A high-quality filly by our 10-time Champion Sire, from barrier two she will be poised to pounce in the hands of last weekend’s Golden Slipper winning rider. NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.50. 

Flemington:

Weather: showers, track: Soft6, rail: true. 13mls rain forecast Saturday.

6:15 p.m. (NZ) - 4:15 p.m. (Vic) R8 9 Damask Rose (4 m Savabeel – Sombreuil) – Jamie Melham; she finished solidly in line for the minors in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) on 21 March at Caulfield, and contests the A$2 million Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m). She has four wins to 1600 metres to her credit, including $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) and the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) last season in New Zealand. In a test, she will step to middle-distance for first time and has drawn the ace with the Melbourne Cup winning jockey engaged. NZ TAB fixed odds: $35.00 & $7.00.

Main picture - Quintessa winning in Melbourne