Te Akau Trans-Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 13 horses entered on Saturday 25 March: Tauranga, Riccarton, and Flemington (Melbourne).

Tauranga:

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 3 metres 1000m - 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast.

12:30 p.m. R1 1 Fellini (3 g Belardo - Silke Top) - Ryan Elliot; he raced outside the leader and eventual winner Churchillian (Churchill) for close third in the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres on 1 March at Awapuni, and contests the corresponding event. While he carries top weight (58.5kg), he has genuine attributes, is a stakes' performer, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40. 

12:30 p.m. R1 2 Insatiable (3 g All Too Hard - All Day Baby) - Warren Kennedy; he dug in to win a Maiden 1200 metres on 7 February at Taupo, and kept finding the line for second in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 March at Pukekohe. Up in class for the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres, he has ability and is a top three prospect from the handy barrier four. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.45.

1:05 p.m. R2 12 Sorcha (3 f Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Warren Kennedy; she circled widest from last with a strong finish for third in the Maiden 1200 metres on 8 March at Taupo, and contests the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She is racing well, and looks a top three contender from barrier six. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30. 

1:40 p.m. R3 1 Pin Me Up (4 m Pins - Brampton Loco) - Temiya Taiaroa (a2); she remained in a pocket and was held together in the straight when trialling on 7 March at Rotorua, and resumes in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. The 2022 $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed, 1600m) winner, she is course/distance placed at her only attempt, enjoys weight relief to 57.5kg, and possesses the class to rate a top three finisher. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.80.

1:40 p.m. R3 2 Aris Aris (4 m Contributer - Irish Encore) - Warren Kennedy; she resumed with a good effort for fifth in the Rating 83 1000 metres on 11 March at Trentham, won by stable-mate Challa (Dissident), and also contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She has a good record and is ideally drawn (2) to feature in the first three. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.55.

2:18 p.m. R4 15 Luxuriant (5 m Iffraaj - Opulent) - Warren Kennedy; she quickened home nicely to win a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She has always shown potential to improve her record and should race well if she begins accordingly. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80. 

2:56 p.m. R5 5 Zeitaku (4 g Savabeel - Miss Opulence) - Warren Kennedy; he was unable to quicken on the Heavy9 footing in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 25 February at Matamata, was given time (28 days), and contests the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. He ran the fastest last 600m sectionals for first and second, respectively, prior, carries minimum weight (54kg), and is very capable of bouncing back.  Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.25. 

2:56 p.m. R5 6 Millefiori (4 m Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Temiya Taiaroa (a2); she staged big run for fifth in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 4 March at Te Rapa, and likewise contests the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. She ran the fastest last 600m (34.0) prior, after winning the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 13 January. With weight relief to 52kg, she's recorded two wins from three course attempts, and deserves to be a top three proposition with the right trip from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.40. 

4:08 p.m. R7 3 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Ryan Elliot; he was never off the bridle finishing third in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, with Elliot aboard, and contests the $120,000 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m). He displayed a scintillating finish to win the White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 4 February at Wingatui, followed that with a solid fourth in the WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 25 February at Otaki, course winner at his only attempt, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.80. 

4:08 p.m. R7 8 Brando (5 g Savabeel - Saoirse) - Wiremu Pinn (a); he came from last when running home well for fourth in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 11 March at Trentham, and he too contests the $120,000 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m). He notched up back-to-back wins prior, including one here, has an excellent course record, and is perfectly drawn (2) to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10. 

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: Heavy8, rail: true. No rain forecast.

1:23 p.m. R4 1 Cu Chulainn (2 g Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he sailed past in thestraight to score by four lengths when debuting in the 2YO 820 metres on 4 March at Wingatui, and contests the $30,000 2YO 1000 metres. He looked very good winning and warrants favouritism. Fixed odds: $1.35 & $1.10.

1:58 p.m. R5 4 Miss Dunsford (3 f Dissident - She Chose Me) - Jasmine Fawcett; she finished strongly to dead-heat for first in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 11 February, and put in a huge effort for third to subsequent Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winning stable-mate Romancing The Moon (El Roca) in the NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 4 March at Wingatui. Continuing to improve, she rates a top three chance from barrier two in the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75. 

Flemington:

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

6:20 p.m. (NZ time) R7 18 Campionessa (5 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Opie Bosson; she sustained a big run from last for a close second in the New Zealand Stakes (Gr. 1, 2050m) on 11 March at Pukekohe, and contests the A$3 million TAB Australian Cup (Gr. 1, 2000m). Continuing to produce impeccable performances this season, she faces her toughest test but aided by a good draw (4). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.