Te Akau Trans-Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing at three venues on Saturday 6 May: Te Rapa, Riccarton, and Gold Coast.

Te Rapa:

As on Friday 5 May the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

1.23 p.m. R4 5 Brer (8 g China Cat - La Fox) - Will Gordon (a1.5kg); follows three preparatory runs on the flat with his first jumping assignment this season: $20,000 Ken & Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase (4000m). He was fifth in the corresponding event last year, also on Dead4, before going on to finish second in both the $50,000 Waikato Steeplechase (4000m) and $50,000 Hawkes Bay Steeplechase (4800m), and third in the $50,000 McGregor Grant Steeplechase (4150m) but may again find some rivals slicker on good ground. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.70.

2.33 p.m. R6 1 Aquilo (2 c Snitzel - My My Maree) - Michael McNab; converted very good trial form into victory on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1230 metres on 12 April at Rotorua, and contests the $50,000 Waikato Equine Vet Centre Stakes (Listed, 1100m). He beat subsequent dual winner and Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) placed Felton Road (Pins) when trialling on good footing in December at Te Aroha, and ideally drawn in barrier three to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $2.90.

2.33 p.m. R6 6 Gold Fever (2 f Savabeel - Gold Rocks) - Cameron Lammas; was scratched because of Slow8 footing in the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), following a terrific effort for third after being checked early in the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 16 March at Ellerslie. She has drawn barrier six in the $50,000 Waikato Equine Vet Centre Stakes (Listed, 1100m). The winner of three races, and unbeaten in two starts here, each with Lammas aboard, her talent is matched by grit and the reason she is always a genuine threat. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.30.

4.28 p.m. R9 12 Play for Time (3 f Foxwedge - Procrastinate) - Michael McNab; never received the defections required to make the field in the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) here last Saturday. She had resumed off 78 days with a brave effort for second in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 9 April at Pukekohe, and rates a top five chance, from barrier eight, if further improved for the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, in betting market likely to be dominated by Legramor (Commands).

Riccarton:

As on Friday 5 May the conditions were: fine and Slow8, rail true. No rain forecast.

2.14 p.m. R5 1 Cousteau (2 c Exceed and Excel - Maritime) - Jonathan Riddell; became the sixth individual two-year-old winner for the stable this season with a strong 2 ¼ length win in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on heavy going at Woodville, with Riddell aboard, and had the $50,000 Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1200m) identified as his immediate target. He had strong form around him in three starts prior to winning, has shown to handle rain-affected going, and in the market as a clear second favourite (fixed odds: $2.80) behind the winner of four from five Prom Queen (Super Easy) as $2.00.

4.04 p.m. R8 9 Latin Rose (5 m Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Samantha Wynne; returned to form with a determined effort for second Rating 85 1200 metres on 22 April at Ellerslie, and ventures back to familiar territory for the $50,000 Easter Stakes (Listed, 1400m). She produced a great run for second here in the Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) during cup week last November, and ideally placed to effect by the trainers: carrying 53kgs, from barrier two. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.55.

Gold Coast, Queensland:

As on Friday 5 May the conditions were: overcast and Good4, rail true. No rain forecast.

6.16 p.m. (NZ time) R8 2 Heroic Valour (3 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Opie Bosson; freshened since a brave performance for a close fourth in the weight-for-age NRM Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) in February at Te Rapa, he was never off the bridle when third in a 1000-metre trial on 24 April at Hawkesbury, N.S.W, and ready for his first assignment in the $125,000 Gold Coast Guineas (Gr. 3, 1200m). Second highest handicapped, with a rating of 89, he requires luck from a wide draw (11). Unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, including the Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), to finish second in the 2016 Two-Year-Old NZ Free Handicaps, he was very game when finishing third in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), and has fresh legs to prove competitive.

Racenet race analysis: HEROIC VALOUR is resuming. He is an NZ colt that has won and placed at Group 1 level and unbeaten in three outings over 1200 metres. He races well fresh and his recent trial was solid, watch the market - $6.50.