Te Akau Trans Tasman Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Wednesday 26 February at Taupo, and one at Sandown, Victoria.

Taupo:  

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:37 p.m. R1 9 Shockabella (3 f Shocking – My Isabella) – Craig Grylls; she kept closing from beyond midfield in the Maiden 1600 metres on 31 January at Te Rapa, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1800 metres. Suited stepping in distance, she brings the right form to rate a top three chance but will need everything to go her way from the outside gate (9). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.95.

3:47 p.m. R3 10 Lady Of Court (4 m Savabeel – Are There Any) – Craig Grylls; she was unable to quicken out of midfield in the Rating 60 1400 metres on 7 February at Tauranga, and contests the $25,000 Rating 60 1400 metres. She had recorded two second placings in two starts prior, the blinkers go on, and she is ideally drawn (4) to bounce back with a solid performance - one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.35. 

3:47 p.m. R3 6 Rue de Rivoli (4 m Tivaci – Boulevard) – Rory Hutchings; she was okay off an economic trip when finishing sixth in the Rating 60 1400 metres on 7 February at Tauranga, and contests the $25,000 Rating 60 1400 metres. She is a capable mare, she also sees the blinkers go on, and with her solid form line, she rates a top three chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.60.

4:59 p.m. R5 4 Moon Rocket (4 g Merchant Navy – Moonlover) – Craig Grylls; he sustained a good gallop for third in a trial on 11 February at Ellerslie, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He continued racing solidly after winning over 1400 metres earlier in season, and has first four claims fresh-up from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.25.

6:04 p.m. R7 2 Talisker (4 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Craig Grylls; he ran a good race for third in the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy over 1600m on 4 January at Trentham, won by stable-mate My Lips Are Sealed, and quickened to lead inside the 200m when winning the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 1 February at New Plymouth. He carries equal top weight (60kg) in the $25,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres, but is perfectly drawn (3) to deliver a top three finish - one of two talented 4YOs in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.55.

6:04 p.m. R7 6 Trobriand (4 g Kermadec – Arboreal) – Michael McNab; the second of the stable duo contesting the Open Handicap 1400m, he received a nice trail and finished strongly for third in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 February at Tauranga. He charged away for a fresh-up victory in the Rating 75 1200 metres here in August at his only previous course attempt, and is ideally weighted (55.5kg) to also deliver a dividend. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.55.

6:37 p.m. R8 11 Court Of Appeal (4 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Masa Hashizume; she was held up when running home with more to offer in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 27 January at Tauranga, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1800 metres. Second-up, she is bred for staying distances, and is perfectly drawn (1) to prove competitive in what is a solid field she faces. Fixed odds: $10.00 $3.20. 

Sandown:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast. 

8:30 p.m. (NZ) ~ 6:30 p.m. (Vic) R6 1 Leaderboard (10 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy) – Tom Prebble (a3); the stable’s senior statesman, he finished seventh when resuming in the Marong Cup (Benchmark 78, 2200m) on 15 February at Bendigo, and contests the A$55,000 Benchmark 74 2400 metres. He ended his previous campaign with a brave third placing in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and was also second in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m). A dual winner over this distance, he enjoys weight relief to 57kg, and preparing for jumps campaign, he is more than capable of a competitive showing. Bet365: $51.00.