Te Akau Trans-Tasman Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses racing on Saturday 2 November: Pukekohe, Awapuni, and Flemington (Melbourne).

Pukekohe:

Weather: cloudy, track: Dead4, rail: out 7 metres. No rain forecast.

2.30 p.m. R4 2 Weaponry  (4 g Declaration of War - Cat Shmea) - Michael McNab; resumed on 4 October with a strong finishing second in the $25,000 Rating 72 1200 metres at Te Rapa, and contests the corresponding event. He won three from five during his first campaign, culminating with a dominant victory in the Southland Guineas (Listed, 1600m). Equal top weight (61kgs) stiffens the task, but he rates a top four chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

3.10 p.m. R5 1 Kingsguard (7 g Rip Van Winkle - Her Royal Highness) - Chelsea Burdan (a3); resumed with a win over 1200 metres in March at Ellerslie, at his first start for the stable, and fresh-up again in the $35,000 Open 1200 metres. The winner of five races in Australia, including the Hawkesbury Cup (Gr. 3, 1600m) and stakes of $507,107, he claims to 57kgs and ideally drawn (2), but meets a smart field. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.80.

3.50 p.m. R6 10 Ripley  (6 g Rip Van Winkle - Visique) - Troy Harris; given time (42 days) since resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres at Hastings, and looking for an improved performance in the $22,500 Rating 65 1400 metres. $15.00 & $4.00.

5.10 p.m. R8 2 Prise De Fer (4 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Michael McNab; capped a solid fresh-up third with a well-timed victory in the Rating 72 1400 metres on 6 October at Te Teko. Remaining in the same grade for the $25,000 Rating 72 1600 metres, but up in weight to carry 60kgs, he rates an each way chance. Last season, he showed ability when contesting the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed, 1600m), Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), and NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65.

Awapuni:

Weather: fine, track: Dead6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

11.55 a.m. R1 6 Cicciolina (4 m Burgundy - A La Votre) - Chris Johnson; ended her previous stint with a big effort for third over 1400 metres in May at Te Rapa, and resumes in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. The footing should suit and she has shown enough to rate an each way chance. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.70.

1.00 p.m. R3 9 Burgundy Rose  (3 f Burgundy - Paraiba) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); annihilated her rivals by six lengths in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 9 October at Taupo, and steps in grade for the $22,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. Aided by claiming to 51.5kgs, but drawn the outside (10), she warrants favouritism in this field and can measure up if sensibly ridden. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.30.

1.35 p.m. R4 9 Duck Road  (4 g Ekraar - Silver Buttons) - Chris Johnson; never fired second-up on Heavy10 footing in the $22,500 Rating 65 1400 metres on 12 October at Matamata, and capable of marked improvement from barrier one in the corresponding event if able to recapture his best from last season. Fixed odds: $19.00 & $5.00. 

1.35 p.m. R4 17 Scottish Star (4 m Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Dylan Turner; resumed with a close second after trailing in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 14 September at Ruakaka, but no joy when posted three wide in the $22,500 Rating 65 1400 metres on 4 October at Te Rapa. Given time (29 days) since, and drawn handily (4), she can bounce back with a much improved effort in the corresponding event. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

Flemington:

Weather: showery, track: Good4, rail: true. 20mls rain forecast Saturday.

4.20 p.m. (NZ time) R5 2 Melody Belle (5 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; made history becoming the first Hawkes Bay Triple Crown victor when winning the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 5 October at Hastings, and the NZ Horse of the Year is attempting to make it 10 Group Ones in the $1,000,000 TAB Empire Rose Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). Drawn wide (13), along with others that are favoured, the star mare gets her chance to reign over the female set. NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65.

Back