Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 17 horses entered on Saturday 24 October: Ellerslie and Riccarton in New Zealand, and three horses entered at St Arnaud, Victoria.

Ellerslie: 

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft5, rail: out 8 metres. No rain forecast. 

2:18 p.m. R4 6 Pilates (4 m Savabeel – Splits) – Michael McNab; she was ridden cold when resuming with a stunning victory in Maiden 1200 metres on 3 October at Matamata, also with Michael McNab aboard, and contests the $55,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 Fillies & Mares 1200 metres. A very talented mare, she has had her issues and needed time, and while she steps up in grade, she won impressively and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.45 & $1.30.

2:53 p.m. R5 7 Drops Of God (3 f Hello Youmzain – Distinctive Lass) – Craig Grylls; she ended her previous campaign winning the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes over 1200m in fine style. Since then she has prepared for her new campaign by finishing first and second in two trials and posted a very smart last 600m (32.8) in an exhibition gallop here last Saturday also with Craig in the saddle. Resuming in the $65,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, her record of three wins from four starts speaks for itself and jumping from barrier one, she’s posted to pounce. Fixed odds: $1.75 & $1.10.

3:28 p.m. R6 5 Top Shelf (5 m Savabeel – Saoirse) – Michael McNab; she delivered fresh-up off a tough trip in the Open Handicap 1400 metres here on 19 September at Ellerslie, and fought hard for third after drawing 13 and racing wide in Listed Kaimai Stakes (1600m) on 3 October at Matamata. She has compiled a good course/distance record, including a win and she was also second in the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m). She will be right in the $65,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres from barrier four - the first of two stable starters in the event. Fixed odds: $2.35 & $1.30.

3:28 p.m. R6 6 Savoir Faire (7 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Craig Grylls; the other stable representative, he was eased back to last from an outside gate on a genuine pace, and settled 11 lengths off the leading pack at the 600m. He stayed nearer the inner and was doing his best work through the line in a trial on 6 October at Matamata. Resuming in the Open Handicap 1600 metres, his six wins from 2000-2100 metres, including in Saturday class in Melbourne speak to the fact he is a talented individual and is capable of bold showing fresh-up. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.15. 

4:09 p.m. R7 5 Day One (4 g Wootton Bassett – Eleonora) – Opie Bosson; he stretched out over the concluding stages to win the Rating 65 1300 metres here on 19 September, also with Opie aboard, and then looked good in an exhibition gallop with stable-mate System Of Play (Ole Kirk) on 14 October at Tauranga. Contesting the $55,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, he’s delivered two wins from three starts on course, and is a genuine top three prospect despite the awkward barrier nine. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.85.

4:49 p.m. R8 12 Luvabeel (5 m Savabeel – O’Lovely) – Michael McNab; she settled back from her wide draw (12) and kept closing in the home straight for fourth (fastest last 600m: 35.2) when resuming in Rating 65 1500 metres here on 19 September, also with Michael aboard. Taking on the $55,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she ended her previous campaign with a strong win in the Pearl Series Maiden 1600 metres, she likes this course and brings the right record to be respected as a top three prospect from barrier six. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.10.

Riccarton: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 7 metres to 1000m, then 9 metres to winning post. No rain forecast. 

11:45 a.m. R1 13 Never Too Much (3 g Rubick – Rebel’s Choice) – Wiremu Pinn; he finished third after securing a good position from a wide draw (11) in Maiden 1200 metres on 4 October at Timaru, and lines up in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. He placed in three of four starts as a two-year-old, including second to stable-mate Enchantment (Hello Youmzain) here in Listed Welcome Stakes (L1000m), and is a genuine top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $2.45 & $1.35.

12:19 p.m. R2 4 Balance Of Power (6 g Almanzor – Respin) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he quickened off an economical trip to win a Rating 75 2200 metres on 23 September by 3.75 lengths, and then fought hard for a close fourth in Open Handicap 2200 metres on 4 October, both with our apprentice Hayley aboard at Timaru. Contesting the $50,000 Rating 82 3000 metres, he’s notched up five wins to 2200 metres, has forged a great relationship with Hayley, is in good form and looks a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.    

1:27 p.m. R4 7 Queen’s Evidence (4 m King’s Legacy – Enjay) – Wiremu Pinn; she kept closing for fifth after getting back from her wide draw (13) when resuming in $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 4 October at Timaru. One of two stablemates contesting the corresponding event, she has been twice stakes’ placed over 1200 metres, and from barrier two can have an impact in this event as the market also suggests. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.75.

1:27 p.m. R4 14 Paper Moon (4 m Savabeel – Kansas) – Hayley Hassman (a1); she found plenty to win a Pearl Series Maiden 1200 metres in May and sustained a good effort for second in a trial on 28 September, both on the poly-track at Riccarton. The second runner for the stable in the Rating 65 1200 metres, comes in fresh with a solid record, but requires a big dose of luck from her wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.20. 

2:01 p.m. R5 6 Cool Aza Rene (4 m Cool Aza Beel – Irene) – Hayley Hassman (a1); she did well for fifth in fastest last 600m (33.5) after being back and wide from her tricky draw (12) in $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres here on 26 September, has been given time (28 days) to come through that, and contests the corresponding event. A two-time course winner, she has won a total of five times to 1400 metres, including victory in the Group 3 Barneswood Stakes (1400m). She is a mare who always tries hard and if things can go her way from her awkward gate (11) watch for her be finishing off with a flourish! Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.60.   

2:33 p.m. R6 5 One True King (4 g King’s Legacy – Chicharita) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he did a top job for second after working forward from his outside gate (14) in $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 4 October at Timaru, with Hayley in the saddle, and contests the corresponding event. It was a good effort as he was ‘on a warning’ and it should be noted that his consecutive tough efforts have come on better footing. He won his Maiden on course at same meeting last year, and has first four claims jumping from the handy barrier (4).  Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.80.

3:09 p.m. R7 1 Zafar (3 c Snitzel – Zasorceress) – Triston Moodley (a); he finished back after a wide  and tough trip in Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on 10 October at Ashburton, and is one of two starters for the stable in the $100,000 Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1400m). Last season, he won the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) here on debut, and has fashioned a good course record,. He has the undoubted ability, the blinkers are on so watch for him ready to bounce back with a strong performance. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.30.

3:09 p.m. R7 9 Sword Of Stars (3 f Sword Of State – Angelica Hall) – Wiremu Pinn; she staged a big run for third when resuming in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) here on 12 September, won by stable-mate Sweetest Thing (Hello Youmzain), and asserted dominance winning the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 4 October at Timaru. She is a talented filly from a great family and rates a top three chance from barrier four in the Group 3 feature. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.60.

3:49 p.m. R8 12 Dream Of The Moon (5 m All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Hayley Hassman (a1); she has been given time (28 days) since going forward but being unable to quicken when resuming in $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres here on 26 September, and contests the same event. Prior to resuming, she had comfortably won her last two trials, and is a stakes’ winner who has also been twice Group placed. All three of her career wins have come on this track, she carries the minimum weight (54kg), and although it’s a difficult draw again (12), this is a good opportunity for her to bounce back. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.90. 

4:29 p.m. R9 11 Court Of Appeal (6 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Hayley Hassman (a1); she came from back in the field with a strong finish for second (fastest last 600m: 35.0) in the North Canterbury Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) here on 26 September, and is one of two starters for the stable in the $80,000 Listed Pavilion Now Open Spring Classic (2000m). Amongst her five wins to 2200m to date, there is a good course/distance win, she carries the minimum weight (53kg), and has the ability to be considered a top four chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20.

4:29 p.m. R9 15 Hakkinen (5 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Wiremu Pinn; the second of the team in this event, he made it back-to-back impressive victories in Rating 75 1600 metres here on 26 September. Now unbeaten in two course attempts, he was also fourth in both the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) and Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), is simply loving the South Island, carries the minimum weight (53kg), and is ready to claim the hat-trick. Fixed odds: $2.35 & $1.35.

St. Arnaud:

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

3:24 p.m. (NZ) - 1:24 p.m. (Vic) R2 10 Girt By Sea (4 m Ocean Park – Baggy Green) – Linda Meech; she chased home solidly off the trail for second when debuting in Maiden Fillies & Mares 1450 metres on 28 September at Kilmore, and contests the A$25,000 Maiden 1550 metres. The sister to four-time Group One winner Tofane and half-sister to Group One winner No Compromise (Pins), she commenced her racing career with that good effort and is looking to repeat and go one better. 

4:05 p.m. (NZ) - 2:05 p.m. (Vic) R3 4 Fully Funded (4 m Snitzel – Bright Path) – Jack Martin; she finished well for third from a handy position in Maiden 1300 metres last Saturday at Avoca, and is one of two stablemates lining up in the A$25,000 Maiden 1100 metres. She has delivered three good efforts this time in, in fact she has placed in four of her six starts, and she is ideally drawn (4) to deliver a top three result.

4:05 p.m. (NZ)  - 205 p.m. (Vic) R3 8 Big Trouble (3 f So You Think – Kylia) – Neil Farley; she finished sixth after sharing a competitive pace when debuting in Maiden 1000 metres on 30 August at Echuca, and contests the A$25,000 Maiden 1100 metres. She showed pace in a jump out prior to commencing, is handily drawn (6), and receives an ideal opportunity to improve. 

Main picture - Drops of God winning at Ellerslie