Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview
Date: 7 May 2021
Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Saturday 8 May: Te Rapa, and Gold Coast (Queensland).
Te Rapa:
Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 8 metres. No rain forecast.
11.47 p.m. R2 4 Bak Da Master (6 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Michael Roustoby (a2); has raced twice on the flat in preparation for the $20,000 Open Hurdle (2800m). He looked promising in the jumping role when recording two hurdles wins last season and shapes to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.20.
12.20 p.m. R3 1 The Panther (3 g Iffraaj - La Panthere) - Craig Grylls; delivered off a perfect trip when debuting in the Maiden 1100 metres on 27 February at Otaki, and given time (52 days) since finishing second to subsequent winner Side By Side (Star Witness) in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 17 March at Matamata. He requires luck from a wide draw (17) in the $22,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.
2.38 p.m. R7 2 Noverre (2 c Savabeel - Magic Dancer) - Johnathan Parkes; ran fastest last 600m (35.1) on the day when finishing second on debut and duly delivered second-up in the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 19 February at Wanganui. Freshened, he ran home solidly for second when trialling on 27 April at Taupo. Resuming in the $50,000 Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (Listed, 1200m), he rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.60.
3.13 p.m. R8 7 Romantic Lady (4 m Power - Romantic Time) - Craig Grylls; continued notable performances when finishing fifth, without luck, in the Power Turf Sprint (Listed, 1200m) on 17 April at Hastings, and contests the $32,500 Open 1200 metres. Placed at both course attempts, she rates a top four chance, from barrier five, in a strong field. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.
3.13 p.m. R8 12 Top Brass (5 g Epaulette - Highlight) - Joe Kamaruddin (a3); followed a fresh-up third here finishing second to stable-mate Supreme Khan (Mongolian Khan) on the course last Saturday in the Rating 74 1200 metres. Claiming to 51kg in the $32,500 Open 1200 metres, his customary resolve should be to the fore from barrier four. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.
3.48 p.m. R9 3 The Mighty Spar (3 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Danielle Johnson; ran on well in two starts before powering home to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 31 March at Matamata, and staged a big run for second (fastest last 600m: 35.1) here in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 17 April. He rates a top three chance from barrier five in the $22,500 Rating 65 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $3.10 & $1.55.
3.48 p.m. R9 9 Lucky Shark (4 g Darci Brahma - Shamardal Luck) - Johnathan Parkes; finished third in a Te Akau trifecta behind Shebringsmerubies (Sebring) in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 17 March at Matamata. He kept finding to finish third off a three wide trip when trialling on 20 April at Cambridge, and resumes in the $22,500 Rating 65 1600 metres. He requires luck from a wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.25.
4.23 p.m. R10 15 Campionessa (3 f Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Danielle Johnson; won both starts before resuming with fourth here to subsequent Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) winner Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) in the 3YO 1200 metres on 17 April, given Slow8 footing. She can improve further on better ground in the $27,500 Rating 74 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.25.
Gold Coast:
Weather: fine, track: Heavy8, rail: true. No rain forecast.
5.44 p.m. (NZ time) R8 9 Melody Belle (6 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; wound up an enormous finish to win the Bonecrusher NZ Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on Auckland Cup Day (13 March), superseding Sunline (Desert Sun) with her 14thGroup One win. Freshened following a good effort from last to finish sixth in the Tancred Stakes (Gr. 1, 2400m) on Easter Saturday (3 April) at Rosehill, she looked good through the line in a quiet 1030-metre trial on 27 April at Rosehill. The dual Horse of the Year has drawn widest (14) in the $500,000 TAB A. D. Hollindale Stakes (Gr. 2, 1800m). Much will depend on the pattern of racing and how she appreciates the type of slow conditions on offer. NZ TAB fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.
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