Te Akau Trans Tasman Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Wednesday 23 September at Timaru, New Zealand and one horse entered at Geelong, Victoria.

Timaru: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: out 3 metres 1000m – 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast. 

2:32 p.m. R6 3 One True King (4 g King’s Legacy – Chicharita) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he was unable to quicken on the Heavy8 footing after being caught three-wide when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 29 August, and contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1600 metres. He won his Maiden over 1400 metres on a Good4 track, and will be looking to improve but the wide draw (14) won’t help this task.  Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.85.

3:07 p.m. R7 4 Arctic Jewel (4 m Frosted – Miss Gem) – Hayley Hassman (a1); she settled back on the outer and closed solidly to grab third in a trial on 15 September at Ashburton. Resuming in the $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres, she won twice to 1200 metres and raced consistently well last season, performs well when racing fresh, and rates a top three chance if she can secure a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.

3:44 p.m. R8 2 Cognoscenti (5 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he resumed with a notable effort for second in the $25,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres here on 6 September, also with Hayley aboard, and contests the corresponding event. He has won three of his last seven starts, and while he is destined to step up in distance, he can deliver a top three finish if our apprentice, who is riding in fine form, can navigate the tricky alley (8).  Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.35.

4:54 p.m. R10 1 Balance Of Power (6 g Almanzor – Respin) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he raced very well to finish second in the Rating 75 2000 metres on 12 September at Riccarton, again with Hayley in the saddle, and contests the $18,500 Rating 75 2200 metres. He record shows four wins to 2000 metres, three coming on soft ground, and he brings the right form to rate a top three chance in what shapes as a solid field. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.45.   

Geelong:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast. 

4:00 p.m. (NZ) - 2:00 p.m. (Vic) R2 8 Meness (3 c Ghaiyyath – Snitzel’s Moon) – Mark Zahra; he ran a bold race for a close up second after working to lead when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1300 metres on 6 September at Bendigo, also with Mark Zahra aboard, and contests the A$42,500 Maiden 1525 metres. Placed in two of of his three starts, he is by four-time Group One winner and 2020 World Champion Ghaiyyath (Dubawi), from a solid stakes’ winning family. In the hands of the two-time Melbourne Cup winning rider, he can deliver a podium finish from his handy draw (3). NZ TAB fixed odds: $1.95 & $1.05. 

Main picture - One True King winning