Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Saturday 20 February: Ellerslie, and Caulfield (Melbourne).

Ellerslie:

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: out 8 metres. No rain forecast.

1.05 p.m. R2 9 Holyhead (3 f Pierro - Irish Sea) - Danielle Johnson; was swamped late after contesting a genuine pace on debut in December at Pukekohe, and picked up very well for second in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 January at Ruakaka. Given time (44 days), she rates a top three chance from barrier three in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $3.10 & $1.55.

3.25 p.m. R6 9 Remington (6 g Darci Brahma - Kudamm) - Danielle Johnson; ran home strongly for fourth, on par with the fastest 600m sectional (33.5), when resuming in the Open 1200 metres on 31 January at Pukekohe, and contests the $37,500 Open 1200 metres. Ideally drawn (3) in a strong field, he appears capable of matching them with minimum weight (54kg).Fixed odds: $9.50 & $3.10.

4.35 p.m. R8 2 In A Twinkling (5 g Fastnet Rock - Moment in Time) - Opie Bosson; has been terrific here in his last three starts, finishing third in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2000m) on Boxing Day, fourth to stable-mate Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) in the City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 1 January, and second in the Karaka Cup (Open, 2200m) on 23 January. He looked in great order during an exhibition gallop on 10 February at Matamata, and rates a top three chance in the $100,000 Wallen Concreting Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

4.35 p.m. R8 8 Te Akau Caliburn (6 g Camelot - Enchanted Evening) - Ashvin Goindasamy; ran on well for sixth in the City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, won by stable-mate Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel), and another top run for sixth in the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) on 30 January at Trentham. Handily drawn (7) in the $100,000 Wallen Concreting Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m), he should race well again under a light weight (52.5kg). Fixed odds:$19.00 & $5.50.

Caulfield:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

5.35 p.m. (NZ time) R6 7 Probabeel (4 m Savabeel - Far Fetched) - Damian Lane; resumed here a fortnight ago with a brilliant victory in the Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and steps up in the $500,000 Lamaro's Sth Melbourne Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). Already a dual Group One winner in Australia: Surround Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and $1m Epsom Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m), she displayed a liking for the course at her first attempt and has the class to test with the right trip from barrier nine. NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.40.