Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Date: 18 Nov 2023

Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

 

Te Akau Racing has 24 horses entered on Saturday 18 November: Tauranga, Riccarton, and Caulfield (Melbourne). 

 

Tauranga:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 3 metres. 5mls rain forecast Friday and 12mls Saturday.

 

12:32 p.m. R1 1 Rule Of Law (3 g Justify – Repeat) – Vinnie Colgan; he lifted for an eye-catching third when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres on 20 September at Matamata, and found plenty after leading to win comfortably in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres here on 18 October. Up in class for the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres, he rates a top three chance from the handy barrier one. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.45.

1:38 p.m. R3 1 Wairau Cove (5 g Darci Brahma – Distinctive Lass) – Jess Allen (a3); he was trapped wide from the outside gate and quickened nicely for a close second in a trial on 31 October at Te Rapa. Resuming in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, he enjoys weight relief to 58kg, is stakes' placed, has the ability to act well fresh, and has definite first four claims - the first ion a stable quartet competing in the event.  Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

1:38 p.m. R3 2 Fellini (4 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Joe Kamaruddin; he got back and rolled on nicely through the line when trialling on 31 October at Te Rapa, and also resumes in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He does carry the top weight of 60.5kg, but he has won two from four ending his last campaign. He too is stakes' placed, races well fresh, and can also figure in the first four. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

1:38 p.m. R3 6 Kabugee (4 g Satono Aladdin – Kabuki) – Vinnie Colgan; he was clear turning for home and quickened well for a close second in a trial on 31 October at Te Rapa. Another resuming in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, all three of his wins have come first up, he's a very good athlete, and rates a top three prospect from barrier three. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

1:38 p.m. R3 10 I Choose You (4 m I Am Invincible – Choose) – Billy Jacobson; she was held up and ran on belatedly in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres here on 4 November and contests the corresponding event. Impressive winning on Soft7 going previously, she is multiple times stakes' placed, and presents as a realistic top four proposition with a grain of luck from her challenging outside gate (13). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

2:10 p.m. R4 1 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Joe Kamaruddin; he tracked up widest into the straight and sprinted very well to grab the win when trialling on 31 October at Te Rapa. Resuming in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, he drops in class here, is a winner on soft and heavy going, performs well when fresh, and is certainly capable of a bold effort if he emulates his trial performance. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

2:10 p.m. R4 6 Aequus (4 m Iffraaj – Equanimity) – Billy Jacobson; she produced a notable third off an economical trip when resuming in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres here on 4 November, and contests the corresponding event. A capable mare who is lightly raced, she was a second-up winner last season, and rates a top four chance. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40. 

3:54 p.m. R7 2 Brando (6 g Savabeel – Saoirse) – Vinnie Colgan; he did well rounding off for third in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 29 September at Te Rapa, and performed in a similar vein when last on the inner , closing off for fifth in the Open Handicap 1400 metres here on 4 November. A course/distance winner in the Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m), he is twice placed at Group One level, and has the credentials to make an impact in the $150,000 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) - the first of two entered for the team. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.55.

3:54 p.m. R7 3 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Billy Jacobson; he remained back when resuming on Heavy8 in the Open 1600 metres on 29 September at Te Rapa, and was forced wide rounding the home turn in the Open 1500 metres on 28 October at Pukekohe. Also contesting the $150,000 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m), he was second in the same event last year, was the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner last December, and is looking to recapture his form. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.80. 

4:29 p.m. R8 13 Invincibeel (5 m Savabeel – Matakana) – Billy Jacobson; she finished strongly for third when trialling on 10 October at Matamata, and did well behind the leaders on unsuitable heavy ground when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 3 November at Te Aroha. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she is a winner over a mile, is placed to 2000m, appreciates good footing and can race well if conditions hold up. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30. 

 

Riccarton:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

 

12:49 p.m. R3 8 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Opie Bosson; she closed strongly for second in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 6 October at Timaru, and did well for second again after facing the breeze in the Rating 65 1600 metres here on 28 October. A maiden winner over 1900 metres last season at New Plymouth, she rates a top three chance from barrier four in the $65,000 Rating 65 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80. 

1:55 p.m. R5 1 Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Lily Sutherland (a2); he worked forward outside the leader and quickened under a hand ride to win well at the trials on 7 October at Matamata, and resumes in the $75,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. He won the White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m) last season, and of course is weighted accordingly (60kg) in a capacity field, but he does perform well in a fresh state and is capable of a bold showing if he can secure any luck from his wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

2:28 p.m. R6 2 Fierce Flight (5 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Opie Bosson; he ran a good race for fourth in the Open Handicap 2000 metres here on Wednesday and back up in the $65,000 Rating 82 2600 metres. Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m) winner and second in the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) last season, he rates a top four chance if he handles the three-day backup and also can garner luck from his wide draw (15). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

2:58 p.m. R7 2 Star Of Justice (3 f Justify – Fair Isle) – Opie Bosson; she made a great start to her southern campaign when controlling the tempo to win the Maiden 1200 metres here on 16 September, and raced into contention for the $500,000 Barneswood Farm 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) after winning the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 16 October at Ashburton. She finds the line, appears suited to a mile, and can really make her presence felt. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

2:58 p.m. R7 3 Viva Vienna (3 f All Too Hard – Anna of Austria) – Sam Weatherley; she resumed with a defiant victory in the 3YO 1000 metres on 2 September and emulated that effort in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 16 September, both at Riccarton. She fought hard for second to stable-mate Star Of Justice (above) in the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 16 October at Ashburton, and has first four credentials in the $500,000 Barneswood Farm 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $31.00 & $7.00.

Te Akau has won the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) six times, most recently with The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) in 2021 - leading home a Te Akau first four finish. 

3:40 p.m. R8 3 Dancarina (5 m Sebring – Dance for Me) – Warren Kennedy; she lifted nicely near the rail for third in a trial on 31 October at Te Rapa, but had no chance when back and wide from an outside gate (15) in the Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m) here last Saturday. Back in grade for the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, she brings a good course/distance record to the table, and rates a top four chance from barrier three - the first of a stable trio lining up in this event. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

3:40 p.m. R8 6 Insatiable (4 g All Too Hard – All Day Baby) – Opie Bosson; he fought hard for a notable fourth in the Rating 75 1100 metres here last Saturday and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. With two good victories prior, including a fresh up win here with Bosson aboard, he rates a top three chance but will need a ton of luck from his carpark draw (21). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:40 p.m. R8 16 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Michael McNab; she quickened to lead before being claimed late in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 19 October at Wingatui, and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Sith two wins under her belt in this campaign, she's undoubtedly consistent, and is capable of a bold showing with luck from her wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

4:15 p.m. R9 1 Challa (7 g Dissident – Are There Any) – Opie Bosson; he was back and wide which took its toll in the Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m) here last Saturday and contests the $140,000 Lindauer Stewards Stakes (Listed, 1200m). He loves the South Island and enjoys a good course/distance record, but he has to lug the top weight (59kg) and his wide draw (15) makes it a tough exercise - in a race with twee stables reps. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.

4:15 p.m. R9 3 On the Bubbles (5 g Brazen Beau – More Bubbles) – Craig Grylls; he made a perfect start to his South Island campaign when winning the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 16 October at Ashburton, but was unable to lift in the Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m) here last Saturday. Contesting the $140,000 Lindauer Stewards Stakes (Listed, 1200m), he's a Karaka 2YO Million and Group One winner, who at his best is always competitive, but requires luck from wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.50.

5:24 p.m. R11 12 The Mighty Spar (6 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Craig Grylls; he ran well for a close fourth in the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2600m) here last Saturday and contests the $300,000 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m). Drawn (2) to receive an economical trip, he's in good form, and rates a top four chance. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

5:24 p.m. R11 15 Prismatic (5 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Michael McNab; he tried hard for second in the Rating 82 3000 metres here on 28 October and contests the $300,000 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m). Racing very well, he likewise has strong first four claims. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.50.

 

Caulfield: 

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

 

5:45 p.m. (NZ time) R7 7 Zourion (3 f Zoustar – Irion) – Michael Dee; she produced a strong finish when resuming in the Scarborough Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 29 September at Moonee Valley, and put in a huge run off a wide trip for third in the Thousand Guineas Prelude (Gr. 2, 1400m) here on 21 October. She undeniably shows class and resolve, up to a mile should suit her, but she does require luck from her sticky gate in the A$1.5 million Schweppes Thousand Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). NZ TAB fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80.   

6:25 p.m. (NZ time) R8 5 Skew Wiff (4 m Savabeel – Starvoia) – Craig Williams; she was a close sixth in the Tristarc Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) here on 21 October, and delivered a wicked acceleration to win The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day (7 Nov.) at Flemington. She beat a smart Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) field in September at Hastings, and rates a top four chance if she can make things go her way from the difficult barrier (12) in the $1 million Ned Sir Rupert Clark Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). NZ TAB fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.   

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