Te Akau Trans Tasman Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Wednesday 22 October at Te Aroha in New Zealand, and one horse entered at Geelong, Victoria.

Te Aroha: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: true. 2mls rain forecast Tuesday and 5mls Wednesday. 

1:12 p.m. R3 7 Avantaggia (3 f Wootton Bassett – Avantage) – Opie Bosson; she worked outside the leader and fought hard for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 20 September at Ellerslie, won by subsequent Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) winner Well Written (Written Tycoon). Contesting the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1100 metres, she won three trials before racing, has been patiently handled between starts and looks a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $2.25 & $1.30.

3:34 p.m. R7 11 Luvabeel (4 m Savabeel – O’Lovely) – Opie Bosson; she did well finishing third on ground (Heavy10) not to her liking in the Maiden 1400 metres on 4 October at Matamata, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres. She closed strongly for second when resuming over 1400 metres at Taupo, and she too is capable of a top three result, jumping from barrier six. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.50.

4:44 p.m. R9 1 I Am Nutz (4 g I Am Invincible – Pecans) – Craig Grylls; he copped a tough trip three-wide when resuming in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 27 September at Te Rapa, and contests the $18,500 Rating 70 1150 metres. He won two of his last three starts to 1350 metres before spelling, including a course/distance win in February, and despite drawing the outside gate (15) he can bounce back to winning form - the first of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40. 

4:44 p.m. R9 5 Age Of Discovery (4 g Savabeel – Bayrock) – Opie Bosson; he made progress from last on ground (Heavy10) that he just didn’t enjoy in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 4 October at Matamata, and also contests the $18,500 Rating 70 1150 metres. He impressed winning last season on good footing, and he can be in the first four home if he has luck from his awkward barrier (9). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.80.

Geelong:

Weather: showers, track: Good4, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast Wednesday. 

5:00 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:00 p.m. (Vic) R5 4 Azazel (3 g Shocking – Alagant Angel) – Michael Dee; he displayed plenty of grit and determination to score narrowly when debuting in the Maiden 1600 metres on 11 September at Seymour, and stepped up in class with a strong performance for fourth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) on 4 October at Flemington. Contesting the A$200,000 Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers Geelong Classic over 2200m, he has the pedigree to handle the distance, and this is an opportunity for him to shape up against a good field of three-year-olds. NZ TAB fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.60.

Main picture - I Am Nutz winning