Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Group 1 Preview

Te Akau Racing has 20 horses entered on Saturday 7 November: Te Rapa and Riccarton in New Zealand, and three horses entered at Flemington (Melbourne). 

Riccarton: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:08 p.m. R2 2 Cognoscenti (5 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye) – Jack Taplin (a1); he finished beyond midfield in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 10 October at Ashburton, and drops in grade for the $65,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. He has notched up four wins to 2000 metres, with four wins on this course. The first of two runners in this event, he looks ready for the step in distance and is ideally drawn (2) to make an impact. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.75.

12:08 p.m. R2 4 Perlino (4 m Super Seth – Palomino) – Craig Grylls; she was unable to quicken second-up in Rating 75 1600 metres on 17 October at Ellerslie, with Craig aboard, and also contests the Rating 75 2000 metres. She ended her previous campaign with a terrific course/distance victory in the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m), and resumed with a good second placing. We are looking forward to her new prep., and this is a good opportunity for her to make her presence felt with a bold showing. Fixed odds: $2.45 & $1.25.

12:38 p.m. R3 18 Callidonta (3 f North Pacific – Linden) – Craig Grylls; she worked forward three-wide among a group in behind the leaders, ranged up entering the home straight and maintained a solid effort for fourth in a trial on 6 October at Matamata. Resuming in the $30,000 Maiden 1200 metres, she is from a sprint family, and recently arrived in the south, she will be looking for a positive start to her racing career. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.30.

1:11 p.m. R4 10 Queen’s Evidence (4 m King’s Legacy – Enjay) – Michael McNab; she produced another smart winning performance in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 24 October, and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1100 metres. Her three career wins have been up to 1200 metres, she has twice been stakes’ placed, and presents as a top four chance with a good dose of luck from her wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.85.

1:44 p.m. R5 5 Marokopa Falls (4 m Hellbent – Beside You) – Michael McNab; she finished strongly for second in Rating 65 1200 metres here on 12 September, and ran the fastest last 600m (34.1) for third after getting back from a wide draw (10) in the corresponding event on 4 October at Timaru. The first of two stablemates lining up in the $65,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she is dual stakes’ placed, comes into this event in very good order and looks a realistic top three chance on her current form. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.15.

1:44 p.m. R5 12 Novelette (4 m Cool Aza Beel – Fiction) – Craig Grylls; she finished off solidly in midfield without threatening when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 18 October at Ashburton, and also takes on the Rating 65 1200 metres. She unleashed a powerful finish to win her Maiden over 1200 metres, and has since continued to race solidly. She has placed in two of three starts on this track but hasn’t copped the right rub of the green draw-wise (12) to make this an easy task. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.50.

2:16 p.m. R6 3 Charmrose (5 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose) – Michael McNab; she crossed to lead when winning the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 10 October at Ashburton, and is the first of a stable duo lining up in the $90,000 Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes over 1000m. She is undoubtedly a fast mare who simply loves her racing.  She’s recorded six wins to 1200 metres, and  has to rate a top three chance from barrier one. $3.40 & $1.55.

2:16 p.m. R6 4 Trobriand (6 g Kermadec – Arboreal) – Lily Sutherland; the second for the team in the Listed Pegasus Stakes, he found the line well in Open Handicap 1200 metres on 10 October at Ashburton, won by stable-mate Charmrose (above). He has fashioned a good course and distance record, and is a Group Two winner who is multiple-times Group Three placed. The visor blinkers are on, but unfortunately the gate (15) brings him no favours. Fixed odds: $20.00 & $4.80.

2:48 p.m. R7 5 Dream Of The Moon (5 m All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Michael McNab; she found the line without threatening after being back and wide from her tricky barrier 12 in Open Handicap 1400 metres here on 24 October, and contests the $120,000 Group 3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes over 1400m. She is a stakes’ winner who has been twice Group placed, all three  of her career wins have been on this course, and she possesses the ability to prove competitive with a decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.90. 

3;24 p.m. R8 4 Court Of Appeal (6 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Michael McNab; she finished strongly for second in North Canterbury Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) on 26 September and delivered the same strong performance again for third in Listed Spring Classic (2000m) on 24 October, both here at Riccarton. Contesting the $100,000 Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2500m), she boasts five wins to 2200 metres, has carved out a good course record, is racing well and is ideally drawn (3) to be a realistic top three chance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.90.

4:39 p.m. R10 1 Asturia (3 f Almanzor – Kay’s Legacy) – Michael McNab; she produced a commanding victory in Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) on 17 October at Ellerslie, with Michael also aboard, and is one of two for the team contesting the $600,000 Group 1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). She’s made an early impact with three starts delivering two wins and an unlucky second against the boys in the Group 2 Hawkes Bay Guineas. She gives every indication she will relish the course and distance, and has drawn (3) to give this field a real shake. Fixed odds: $2.05 & $1.25.

4:39 p.m. R10 6 Sweetest Thing (3 f Hello Youmzain – Ocean Drive) – Wiremu Pinn; she resumed with victory in Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) here on 12 September, and closed strongly for fourth after being checking entering the home straight in Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on 10 October at Ashburton. She too takes her place in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas, has a very good record in stakes races, and is capable of bold effort despite her wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.90. 

Te Akau has won the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) seven times, most recently in 2024 with Captured By Love (Written Tycoon).

Te Rapa: 

Weather: showery, track: Soft6, rail: out 4 metres. 11mls rain forecast Friday and 25mls Saturday. 

12:53 p.m. R1 3 Pick Up Artist (2 g Trapeze Artist – Pick Up The Pieces) – Matt Cameron; he shared a competitive pace from barrier one, continued the duel in the home straight, and sustained a strong gallop for close a second in a trial on 29 October at Avondale. Debuting in the $40,000 2YO 1100 metres, he is by the Champion 3YO Colt in Australia,Trapeze Artist (Snitzel), and his dam Pickup the Pieces (Bel Esprit) won three times to 1300 metres. He did things right and quickened in his sole trial, and rates a top three chance with plenty of experience to come from this first race day outing. Fixed odds: $2.20 win only

2:32 p.m. R4 8 Sibling Rivalry (4 m Satono Aladdin – Justlikeyasister) – Hayley Hassman (a1); she had a glitch in the Rating 65 1000 metres on 25 October at Trentham, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She found the line in eye catching fashion after being back and wide when resuming the start prior, and is ideally drawn (3) to get her campaign back on track. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.35.

3:42 p.m. R6 14 King’s English (4 h Snitzel – English) – Hayley Hassman (a); he resumed with a smart victory in the Rating 75 1000 metres on 9 October at Taupo, and contests the $100,000 Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint over 1200m). He has a terrific strike rate, winning four of his eight starts, and is asked to again rise in class for this assignment, However the manner of his victories carries a lot of merit, he carries the minimum weight (53kg), and rates a top three chance if all goes well from his tricky gate (9).  Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.50.

4:18 p.m. R7 1 War Of Succession (6 g Tavistock – Ziffel) – Cooper Stumbles (a4); he remained back but ran on nicely for a staying horse over sprint trip in a trial on 22 October at Waipa. One of a stable trio contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, he enjoys weight relief to 56kg, and has recorded four wins to 2100 metres. He placed at his only previous course attempt and is capable of a bold showing first-up with luck from his negative draw (14). Fixed odds: $23.00 & $6.00.

4:18 p.m. R7 2 Altari (5 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Hayley Hassman (a1); the second of the stable trio, he continued his terrific fresh-up record when winning the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on 14 October at Tauranga, also with Hayley aboard. He has placed in two of three course attempts, won well first-up and is a genuine top four chance but again, is another who has not fared well draw-wise (13) which is of no help. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.  

4:18 p.m. R7 15 Stella Ma Bella (4 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – unfixed; she resumed with a strong victory in Rating 65 1300 metres here on 26 October, and also contests the Rating 75 1400 metres. She is held in high regard, and competed in Group and Listed races following her impressive Maiden win over 1400 metres last season. She brings a good record to this contest and from barrier one, she has very strong credentials. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.35.

4:58 p.m. R8 3 Towering Vision (4 g Circus Maximus – Qiji Vision) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he produced a big finish to win Rating 75 1600 metres on 19 September and closed in the fastest last 600m (34.7) for fourth in Rating 75 1600 metres on 17 October, both at Ellerslie. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, he has been a Listed winner and Group Two placed from three starts on this course, is racing well and from barrier one, he will be right in the thick of this - the first of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

4:58 p.m. R8 15 Typhoon Lucy (4 m Dundeel – Stormy Lucy) – Matt Cameron; she raced clear for a fresh-up victory in Rating 65 1400 metres on 16 September and was a very close third in Rating 75 1600 metres on 3 October, both at Matamata. She has been patiently handled and given time (35 days) since her last outing, and also taking her place in the Rating 75 1600 metres, she has top four claims with luck from her wide alley (16). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.10.

Flemington:

Weather: showers, track: Good4, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast overnight Friday and 8mls rain Saturday.

3:15 p.m. (NZ) - 1:15 p.m. (Vic) R2 12 Stage ‘n’ Screen (5 m Ace High – Inthespotlight) – Daniel Stackhouse; she rallied well near the rail for a close seventh in the Benchmark 78 1600 metres on 23 October at Cranbourne, and contests the A$150,000 Benchmark 84 1600 metres. She has recorded four wins to 1400 metres, including a very good course win in August, has placed at 1600m and 2000m, and is more than capable of proving competitive from barrier six. NZ TAB fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.00.

5:50 p.m. (NZ) - 3:50 p.m. (Vic) R6 10 Geegees Mistruth (5 m Wordsmith – Miss Mana) – Craig Williams; she finished powerfully under the top weight (59kg) for second in Group 3 Asahi Super Dry Sprint (1100m) here last Saturday, and contests the A$3 million Group 1 VRC Champions Sprint (1200m). She has been Group One winner over 1200 metres in the past year, is racing well, and is handily drawn (5), but she is on the quick back up and meets a hot field. NZ TAB fixed odds: $27.00 & $5.00.

7:50 p.m. (NZ) - 5:50 p.m. (Vic) R9 14 Royal Rendezvous (4 g Royal Meeting – Alana’s Party) – Logan Bates (a1.5); he produced chis ustomary strong finish to win a Benchmark 66 1100 metres on 21 October at Geelong, and contests the A$150,000 Benchmark 80 1100 metres. The half-brother to Te Akau trained, four-time stakes’ winner Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), he does have a good record, but is yet another who needs it all to go his way from his nasty gate (17). NZ TAB fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.40.

Main picture - Asturia winning