Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 22 horses entered on Saturday 4 March: Te Rapa, Wingatui, and Randwick (Sydney).

Te Rapa:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 2 metres. Showers forecast.

1:18 p.m. R2 1 Fashion Shoot (5 m Savabeel - High Fashion) - Opie Bosson; she got back from an outside gate (10) and worked through with a strong finish for second in the Rating 75 1400 metres here on 11 February, and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1300 metres. She delivered big runs in the Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) and Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m) prior, has an excellent course record and rates a top three despite (yet another!) wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

1:18 p.m. R2 4 Millefiori (4 m Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Andrew Adkins; she got back last and ran the fastest last 600m (34.0) in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 11 February, after winning the Rating 75 1200 metres on 13 January at Tauranga. She is racing well but she too requires luck from her wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.50.

2:28 p.m. R4 3 Belle En Rouge (4 m Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Opie Bosson; she capped her top form when powering home to win the Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 14 January at Trentham, before pulling up lame after the Wairarpa Breeders' Stakes (Listed, 1600m) on 6 February at Taurherenikau. The joint reigning NZB Filly of the Year, she looks a top three prospect in the $75,000 Open Handicap 1500 metres despite (yes another) drawing wide (12). Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

2:28 p.m. R4 11 Aromatic (6 m Sacred Falls - Vickezzchardonnay) - Andrew Adkins; she was freshened since the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) here on 1 January, and worked home nicely over a sprint trip in a trial on 21 February at Avondale. A very consistent stakes' winning mare, she acts well fresh, but requires luck from her (!!) wide draw (13) in the $75,000 Open Handicap 1500 metres. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.00. 

2:28 p.m. R4 15 Zouluminous (6 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Niranjan Parmar (a2); she was not far away over a sprint trip in a trial on 17 January at Tauranga, and resumed running the fastest last 600m (34) for third in the Rating 88 1200 metres on 10 February at Hastings. Also contesting the $75,000 Open Handicap 1500 metres, she is stakes' placed, enjoys weight relief to 52kg, and is one that is ideally drawn (5) to race well. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.00. 

3:06 p.m. R5 1 Cognito (3 g So You Think - Lady Primrose) - Andrew Adkins; he dashed home after getting clear late to win the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) when resuming on 14 January at Trentham, and was then fourth in the 3YO 1200 metres on 18 February at Pukekohe. Better suited up in trip here, the blinkers are on, and he presents as a top three chance, jumping from barrier two in the $80,000 Vertical Logistics Mufhasa Stakes (Listed, 1400m). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.

3:06 p.m. R5 2 Maven Belle (3 f Burgundy - Doyenne) - Opie Bosson; she chased home very well for fourth to impressive winning stable-mate Imperatriz (below) in the BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) here on 11 February, and likewise contests the $80,000 Vertical Logistics Mufhasa Stakes (Listed, 1400m). She resumed with consecutive victories prior, including the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m), and is the reigning Champion Two-Year-Old - she is a top three proposition from her handy gate (5). Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.35.

3:06 p.m. R5 10 I Choose You (3 f I Am Invincible - Choose) - Joe Doyle; she raced well for second in the 3YO 1200 metres on 18 February at Pukekohe, and she also contests the $80,000 Vertical Logistics Mufhasa Stakes (Listed, 1400m). She proved a class above when winning the Rating 65 1100 metres here on 3 February, is multiple stakes' placed, and will prove competitive with a decent trip from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

3:38 p.m. R6 9 Fierce Flight (4 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Joe Doyle; he ran the fastest last 600m (34.5) for third in the Wairarapa Cup (Rating 75 2050m) on 6 February at Tauherenikau, and contests the $75,000 Open Handicap 2200 metres. He has won three of his last five starts, drops to the minimum weight (54kg), and should race well if things go his way from his wide gate (12). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.60. 

4:12 p.m. R7 7 Safura (3 f Almanzor - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; she finished sixth in the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) here on 11 February, and contests the $100,000 McKee Family Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m). She produced a big effort for third in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) here on 1 January, then  impressed when winning the Maiden 2000 metres on 25 January at Matamata, and should race well with some Bosson magic from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.

4:12 p.m. R7 10 Elegant Lady (3 f Highly Recommended - Lady Masako) - Jason Laking; she dropped in class to win the Maiden 1900 metres on 17 February at New Plymouth, and also contests the $100,000 McKee Family Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m). She placed at her only course attempt, is racing well and should continue with her progressive preparation if she gets a rub of the green from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.

4:12 p.m. R7 11 Marvelouz (3 f Almanzor - Miraculous Miss) - Warren Kennedy; she followed two seconds with a well deserved and easy victory in the Maiden 1400 metres on 7 February at Taupo, and found line solidly for fifth in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 17 February at New Plymouth. She is racing solidly and shapes to measure up in the $100,000 McKee Family Sunlike Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) if things go her way from barrier 11. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

4:47 p.m. R8 3 Dynastic (3 g Almanzor - Meir) - Opie Bosson; he finished strongly to win the Rating 75 2000 metres last Saturday at Matamata, and contests the $1 million Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). Placed in two of three course attempts, he is back in winning form at right time, is race hardened, and should go well again. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.00.

4:47 p.m. R8 9 Savoir Faire (3 g Savabeel - Etiquette) - Joe Doyle; he ran home well for second in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) here on 3 February, and also contests the $1 million Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). He scored a deserved success over 2000 metres, is placed two from three on the course, and should race competitively if can can overcome the tricky barrier nine. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $6.00.

5:27 p.m. R9 4 Amalfi Prince (4 g Sebring - Campania) - Andrew Adkins; he kept finding the line off a wide trip in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 10 February at Hastings, and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. He ended his previous campaign winning the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m), is a winner at the mile, and is ideally drawn (3) to make his presence felt. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.00. 

5:27 p.m. R9 12 Felicienne (4 m Savabeel - Flavigny) - Opie Bosson; she scored under a copybook ride by Bosson in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 10 February at Hastings, and steps up in the $65,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. Terrifically consistent, she rates a top three chance from barrier four. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

6:07 p.m. R10 1 Cote de Beaune (4 g Burgundy - Lucrative) - Andrew Adkins; he travelled back in the field, three wide with cover, and found the line well for seventh in the Rating 65 1300 metres here on 11 February. He receives his opportunity to improve further with the blinkers on, and he's drawn well (2) in the $65,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

Wingatui:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. 4mls rain forecast Friday, 7mls Saturday.

12:25 p.m. R1 2 Cu Chulainn (2 g Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he sustained a resolute gallop for a close second in a trial on 21 February at Avondale, and debuts in the $30,000 2YO 820 metres. Brother to triple stakes' placed stable-mate Irish Red, who included a second in the Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m) here in her resume, he meets a field dominated by first starters. Fixed odds: $1.85 & $1.10.

2:10 p.m. R4 1 Burgundy Rose (6 m Burgundy - Paraiba) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she produced a brave effort for fourth after being buffeted in the Open Handicap 1100 metres on 11 February at Riccarton, and contests the $40,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres. A course/distance winner at her only attempt, she has to carry a big weight (59kg) but she always gives her best. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

3:52 p.m. R7 1 Romancing The Moon (3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she finished second off a good trip in the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m) here on 4 February, has been given time (28 days), and contests the $65,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1400m). From barrier three, she has strong claims for a podium placing. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.35.

3:52 p.m. R7 3 Miss Dunsford (3 f Dissident - She Chose Me) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a); she finished strongly to dead-heat for first in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 February at Riccarton, and steps up also contesting the $65,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1400m). She won her Maiden over 1200 metres at Pakenham, Victoria, brings winning form to the table and should race well with with a few breaks from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

Randwick:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 6 metres. Showers forecast.

6:00 p.m. (NZ time) R7 8 Imperatriz (4 m I Am Invincible - Berimbau) - James McDonald; she continued her impeccable form, scoring a hat-trick when winning the BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 11 February at Te Rapa by fur and a half lengths. The Champion Three-Year-Old, she is a quadruple Group One winner, with 12 wins from 17 starts, and she rates a top three threat in the $600,000 Furphy Canterbury Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). NZ TAB fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.20.