Te Akau Trans-Tasman Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Wednesday 13 March at Matamata, and one at Caulfield, Melbourne:

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 6.5 metres. No rain forecast.

2:10 p.m. R1 6 Spellcraft (4 g Savabeel – Bewitching) – Opie Bosson; he came from the rear in the fastest last 600m (35.7) for second to subsequent winner Mahoe (Alamosa) in the Rating 60 2000 metres on 14 February at Taupo, has been given time (28 days), and contests the $25,000 Rating 60 1600 metres. Course/distance placed in December, he rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65. 

2:45 p.m. R2 14 Lightning Dream (3 f Rip Van Winkle – Alana’s Dream) – Opie Bosson; she found the line strongly once clear for fourth on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres here on 29 February, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Her dam Alana’s Dream (Bernardini) won at 1600 metres, she's from a smart family, and looks a top three prospect with luck from barrier 10 - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.     

2:45 p.m. R2 16 Brisance (3 f Staphanos – Ultra Explosive) – Warren Kennedy; she has been given time since finishing back in a trial on 8 February at Cambridge (poly track), and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. While she hails from a talented family, she too requires an abundance of luck from her wide alley (15). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.      

3:20 p.m. R3 10 The Sky Above (3 f American Pharoah – Blue Blue Sky) – Opie Bosson; she got back from an outside gate (9) and ran home well for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres on 14 February at Taupo, and contests the $25,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 in bonuses). The blinkers are on, and she has first four claims if she can negate her difficult draw (11) - the first of a stable duo lining up in the event. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70. 

3:20 p.m. R3 13 Fascination (3 f Pierro – Obsession) – Warren Kennedy; she showed newness and then struck an interrupted passage in the straight when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 29 February. Also contesting the $25,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (also eligible for $26,000 in bonuses), she appears suited stepping up in distance and is ideally drawn (3) to show improvement. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.50.

3:55 p.m. R4 11 Donna Chiara (2 f Belardo – Bellabaci) – Opie Bosson; she was back and wide but fought well for a close sixth to stable-mate Altari (Savabeel) when resuming in the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres here on 29 February, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. She quickened to win well at the trials prior, has shown ability to date and rates a top four chance. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00. 

4:27 p.m. R5 3 Alminette (4 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Opie Bosson; she was caught back and wide in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 24 February, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. In good form prior, she is also a previous course/distance winner, and is perfectly drawn (1) to bounce back to her best form - the first of a stable trio contesting the event. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75. 

4:27 p.m. R5 6 Baronet (4 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Jess Allen (a3); he did well while holding his spot for a close fourth in trial on 20 February at Tauranga, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. A course/distance winner on debut, he enjoys weight relief to 54.5kg, and is ideally drawn (4) to race well first-up. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70. 

4:27 p.m. R5 9 Ragamuffin (5 g Belardo – Short Tale) – Warren Kennedy; he ran home fine for fifth in a trial on 20 February at Tauranga, and also resumes in the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He too is a course winner but over 1400 metres, has shown the ability to act fresh, and is handily drawn (5) to make his presence felt. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80. 

4:59 p.m. R6 2 Time Is King (3 g Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Opie Bosson; he last raced in October at Rotorua, and resumes without a trial in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1050 metres. He finished third here when debuting as a two-year-old over 1000 metres, but is another who will need everything to go his way from a challenging barrier (11). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

5:34 p.m. R7 3 The Mighty Spar (6 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Jess Allen (a3); he made ground belatedly from last to finish sixth when resuming in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 28 February at Hastings, with Allen aboard, and is the first of two stable runners lining up in the $35,000 South Waikato Cup (Rating 81, 2000m). He came from last to beat a small but select field in the corresponding race last year, possesses a very good course/distance record, brings weight relief to 55.5kg, and is ideally drawn (4) to rate a top four chance in his attempt to replicate his 2023 performance. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.60. 

5:34 p.m. R7 4 Accidental Tourist (4 g Telperion – Megara) – Opie Bosson; he ran on from back in the field to finish close up in the Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) here on 24 February, and also contests the $35,000 South Waikato Cup (Rating 81, 2000m). Stakes' placed last season, he has been impressive in winning four races, and shapes to prove competitive in the good field. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.40. 

Caulfield:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. 5mls rain forecast early Wednesday morning. 

9.00 p.m. (NZ time) - 7.00 p.m. (Vic) R8 1 Lord Dynastic (4 g Almanzor – Meir) – Tayla Childs (a3); he found the line in two races to a mile before finishing strongly for second in the Avoca Cup (1860m), and was spelled following the Ararat Gold Cup (2200m) in November. He quickened clear to win a jump out over 1200 metres on 26 February at Cranbourne, and resumes in the A$55,000 Benchmark 70 1500 metres. With weight relief to 61kg, any emulation of his trial would be ideal but he requires a good dose of luck from his very wide draw (13). NZ TAB fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.