Te Akau Trans-Tasman Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered on Wednesday 7 August at Riccarton, New Zealand and one horse at Sandown, Victoria.

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: poly track, rail: true. ?

12:00 p.m. R2 5 Not Straight Laced (4 m Turn Me Loose – Clos De Tart) – Craig Grylls; she did well after missing the start and racing wide in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly track) on 12 July. She continued good form when finishing second in the Maiden 1200 metres here on the poly track the start prior. Today she has the opportunity to bounce back and does look a top three chance from the handy barrier two in the $20,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.25. 

1:08 p.m. R4 4 Moon Rocket (4 g Merchant Navy – Moon Lover) – Craig Grylls; he was ridden positively to level in front on straightening when finishing fifth in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly track) on 12 July, and contests the $20,000 Maiden 1400 metres. With that initial poly track experience under his belt, he should keep improving and having drawn the ace, can certainly figure in the finish.  Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.35.

1:44 p.m. R5 3 Star In The Sky (5 m Savabeel – Pikari Star) – Adam Scott (am); she raced away to win the Rating 65 & Jumpers 2200 metres here by 3.5 lengths on the poly track on 27 June, and then was sixth when up in grade for the Rating 75 2200 metres also here on that same track on 12 July. She is dropping back in grade for the $35,000 Rating 65 2200 metres for amateur riders and, one of two in the event for the stable, she is top three chance from a useful gate (2). Fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.65.

1:44 p.m. R5 5 Hayate (6 m Maurice – Vamoose) – Caitlin McKee (am); the second runner for the team in this event, she did well for sixth after being slowly away in the Rating 65 1600 metres here on the poly track on 27 June, and finished sixth again in the Rating 65 1600 metres in the same track on 12 July. She won a Rating 60 2000 metres in May on the Cambridge poly track, and comes in to the $35,000 Rating 65 2200 metres for amateur riders with first four claims. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.80.

2:54 p.m. R7 10 Rue de Rivoli (4 m Tivaci – Boulevard) – Craig Grylls; she led a competitive pace and fought hard for a close third in the Rating 60 1200 metres here on the poly track on 26 July, and lines up in the $35,000 Rating 60 over 1400 metres. She has placed in two of three attempts here on the poly track and appeals as a top four chance. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

3:29 p.m. R8 7 Sorcha (5 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Craig Grylls; she stylishly won the Rating 84 1400 metres on 13 June and continued her very solid form with an eye-catching fourth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 12 July, both here on poly track. She possesses a very good record on the poly, including three wins, and is more than capable of a bold showing- however she will need to navigate her dreadful barrier (16) in the $100,000 Special Conditions 1200 metres feature. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

4:04 p.m. R9 10 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Craig Grylls; she speared through stylishly over the concluding stages to win her trial here on the poly track on 16 July, and resumes in the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She definitely has the ability to win more races, and presents as a top three chance but will need to overcome a horror draw (17) - the first of a stable trio contesting this event. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.

4:04 p.m. R9 11 Angels Wings (5 m Heroic Valour – Gowana) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she fought on resolutely following a decent trip for fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on the poly track on 12 July, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She has delivered solid performances on poly tracks, is drawn handily (7), and is capable of proving competitive. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

4:04 p.m. R9 12 French Rose (5 m Burgundy – Paraiba) – Warren Kennedy; she was stymied for room following an economical trip in the Rating 65 1200 metres here (poly track) on 12 July, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She brings good poly track form to this battle and rates a top four chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

4:34 p.m. R10 4 Time Is King (3 g Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Craig Grylls; she won the Maiden 1600 metres on 27 June and finished sixth after leading in the 3YO 1400 metres on 12 July, won by stable-mate Mitre Peak, both here on poly track. He is ideally drawn (2) to prove competitive in the $35,000 Rating 65 12600 metres. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70.

Sandown: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

3.35 p.m. (NZ time) R3 1 I Choose You (4 m I Am Invincible – Choose) – Ryan Houston (a3); she negated an awkward draw (9) to secure a good trip and once again finish strongly for a close second in the Benchmark 78 1000 metres here a fortnight ago, also with Houston aboard. Contesting the A$50,000 Benchmark 64 1200 metres, she has the apprentice weight relief to 61kg, is racing in top form without quite nailing a victory, and is a definite first three chance with decent trip from barrier nine. NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.