Te Akau Trans Tasman Monday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered on Monday 27 October at Te Rapa in Hamilton, New Zealand & 

two horses at Wangaratta (Victoria).

Te Rapa: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out 5 metres. Showers forecast Monday, late rain.   

2:09 p.m. R3 8 Hostility (3 c I Am Invincible – Shillelagh) – Opie Bosson; he got back to last, was carted wide, basically off the track, when improving around the home turn, and still ran the fastest last 600m (35.7) in the Maiden 1200 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Contesting the $25,000 Maiden 1300 metres, he followed his debut second being runner up in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), won by stable-mate La Dorada, and is still a top chance chance despite the awful gate (18) which negates a lot of options.  Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.45.

3:17 p.m. R5 2 He Who Dares (3 c Snitzel – Rondinella) – Opie Bosson; he resumed with a strong performance for close second in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on 6 September at Ellerslie, and contests the $150,000 Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m). An impressive winner on debut, he was then second in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), and fifth in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) last season,. He looked good in a recent exhibition gallop, is a very genuine performer, and from the ace draw can certainly be right in the thick of the finish. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.75.

3:57 p.m. R6 2 Wild Night (6 g Vanbrugh – Supreme) – Opie Bosson; the first of three runners in this event, he ran on well from last when resuming in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 10 October at Taupo, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. His eight career wins include the Group 2 Sarten Memorial at the corresponding meeting as three-year-old, and he is ideally drawn (2) to rate a top four chance. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $3.00.

3:57 p.m. R6 9 Captured By Love (4 m Written Tycoon – Moldova) – Craig Grylls; she got back from her outside gate (14), circled and ran home strongly for second when resuming in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Also contesting the Open Handicap 1400 metres, she recorded a high class Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) victory last season, and is a high quality multiple Group winner. She has copped an awkward draw (9) but if she can navigate that with last season’s champion jockey aboard, she will deliver a top three finish. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90. 

3:57 p.m. R6 10 Talisker (5 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Bruno Queiroz; he rhas everything go wrong in his first up run in thee Open Handicap 1300 metres at Taupo on 10 October - he was caught wide buffeted mid-straight when peaking on his run first-up. He is the third of Te Akau’s trio in the Open Handicap 1400 metres, has been Group One placed to 1600 metres, placed in all three starts on course, and is more than capable of a solid showing from barrier six. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.35. 

4:31 p.m. R7 1 Trobriand (5 g Kermadec – Arboreal) – Opie Bosson; the next race, and another stable trio engaged - the son of Kermadec got back beyond midfield and copped a mid-straight check when looking to improve in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, he has notched up two wins from three starts on this course, but does carry top weight (60.5kg) and needs a whole lot to go his way from the awkward gate (9) in what shapes up as a very even field. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

4:31 p.m. R7 2 Malmaison (5 g Darci Brahma – Altai Rose) – Joe Doyle; he got back and was unable to quicken on Heavy9 footing when resuming in the Rating 75 1100 metres here on 27 September. Also lining up in the Rating 75 1200 metres, he won four times to 1200 metres in his last campaign, is ideally drawn (2) and this is a very good opportunity to see him bounce back to form. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.50.

4:31 p.m. R7 19 Zantabulous (6 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she travelled easily in fourth slot, ranged up rounding the home turn, and ran home well for third in a trial on 9 October at Waipa. It’s been a long wait for her very patience owners as she resumes in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres today - she enjoys the apprentice weight relief to 51.5kg, has had three career wins to 1600 metres, and this is an ideal starting point for her to resume in encouraging fashion. Fixed odds: $27.00 & $6.50.

5:04 p.m. R8 1 Family Ties (6 m Contributer – Glamazon) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she remained in midfield when resuming in the Rating 75 1400 metres here on 27 September, and is one of two stable runners taking their place in the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. With weight relief to 56.5kg, she has been a stakes' winner over 1800 metres, and while she is a very genuine performer, her wide gate (13) stands in her way so she will need a dose of luck - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $7.00.

5:04 p.m. R8 6 El Viento (5 g El Roca – Mandeville) – Warren Kennedy; he found the line belatedly after racing wide when resuming in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 6 September at Ellerslie, and ran on without threatening in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 12 October at Rotorua. Also contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, he meets smart field, and while he is definitely capable of a result,  he too has been dealt a wide gate (11) so a lot will need to go his way for a positive result. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20. 

Wangaratta:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. 15mls rain forecast Sunday and no rain Monday.

3:30 p.m. (NZ time) ~ 1:30 p.m. (Vic) R1 2 Donato (3 c Extreme Choice – Burgundy Belle) – Patrick Moloney; she won a jump out on 15 September at Cranbourne, and quickened near the rail after trailing for a close second on debut in the $A32,000 Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 30 September at Tatura, also with Moloney aboard on that occasion. Contesting the corresponding event, she is the first foal from Te Akau bred and trained Burgundy Belle (Burgundy), a Group One and stakes’ placed winner of four races to 1400 metres,. He has the ability but the draw won’t help his cause (1). NZ TAB fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.60.

4:30 p.m. (NZ time) ~ 2:30 p.m. (Vic) R3 11 Signoretti (3 g Hello Youmzain – I Am Grande) – Patrick Moloney; he fought well for fifth after being caught three-wide when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 4 October at Murtoa, and contests the A$32,000 Maiden 1400 metres. He delivered two seconds from three starts last season, is the type of horse that uses himself well, and brings the right form to prove competitive from barrier one. NZ TAB fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

Main picture - Wild Night winning