Te Akau Trans-Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Saturday 9 December: Trentham and Ballarat ((Victoria). 

Trentham: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:34 p.m. R4 4 Dream Of The Moon (2 f All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Michael McNab; she quickened well for second in the Pearl Series 2YO 800 metres on 28 October before flattening out with a terrific sprint to win the 2YO 1000 metres during Cup Week on 15 November, both at Riccarton. She rates a top three chance in the $175,000 Mode Technology Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) - where three Te Akau starters line up. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

2:34 p.m. R4 5 Captured By Love (2 f Written Tycoon – Moldova) – Opie Bosson; she finished well for third in a trial on 31 October at Te Rapa, and stretched out nicely to win when debuting in the 2YO 1000 metres on 12 November at Tauherenikau. While she faces a stiffer task in the $175,000 Mode Technology Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m), she shapes as having the ability to measure up. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00. 

2:34 p.m. R4 9 Donna Chiara (2 f Belardo – Bellabaci) – Lily Sutherland; she performed admirably for second in each of two trials, most recently on 22 November at Taupo, and debuts in the $175,000 Mode Technology Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m). She harks from an excellent family, and while she is likely to settle back from barrier eight, watch for her to be finding the line strongly. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.80.

4:14 p.m. R7 3 Insatiable (4 g All Too Hard – All Day Baby) – Opie Bosson; he produced a notable effort for fourth from a wide draw (16) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on New Zealand Cup Day (18 Nov.) at Riccarton, and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. He has looked good winning two from four in this campaign and looks a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

4:55 p.m. R8 3 Brando (6 g Savabeel – Saoirse) – Matt Cameron; he did well for third on a rain-affected testing ground in the Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 18 November at Tauranga, and contests the $400,000 TAB Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) - the first of three in the race for the team. Placed twice at Group One level over 1600 metres, including here in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), he is capable of figuring in the finish but will need luck from his wide draw (11). 

4:55 p.m. R8 4 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – unfixed; he produced a timely return to form when second in the Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) last Saturday at Te Rapa, and also contests the $400,000 TAB Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m). A brilliant winner of the corresponding event last season, he appears ready to race well again. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

4:55 p.m. R8 13 Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel – High Fashion) – Opie Bosson; she came from last of 16 with an incredible performance to win the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) during Cup Week (15 Nov.) at Riccarton, and steps up in the $400,000 TAB Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m). She arrives from the south in peak form, her dam impressed in her course/distance win, and she is well placed to be very competitive in this field. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

Ballarat: 

Weather: showers, track: Good4, rail: out 2 metres 400 – winning post, remainder true. 15mls rain forecast Saturday. 

6:20 p.m. R8 6 Midnight Blue (7 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Harry Coffey; he found the line well for fifth when resuming in the Seymour Cup (Listed, 1600m) on 22 October at Seymour, and contests the A$500,000 Ballarat Cup (Listed, 2000m). The winner of five races from 1800 – 2400m, he does meet a strong field but expect a bold performance first-up from the stable. NZ TAB fixed odds: $51.00 & $8.50.