Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 17 horses entered on Saturday 2 March: Ellerslie (Derby Day) and Wingatui in New Zealand, and also Flemington (Australian Guineas’ Day), Australia.

Ellerslie:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 2 metres 1000m – 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast. ?

1:30 p.m. R3 7 Mehzebeen (4 m Almanzor – Salkantay) – Opie Bosson; she secured a handy position but seemed without her usual zest in the Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) here on 17 February, however she worked fine in an exhibition gallop last Saturday at Matamata. Second in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) last season, and the Taupo Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) winner in December, she receives the opportunity to improve in the $90,000 Open Handicap 2200 metres. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.  

2:52 p.m. R5 7 Petrucci (4 m I Am Invincible – Via Napoli) – Michael McNab; she ran the fastest last 600m (33.2) for second in the Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m) here on Karaka Millions night (27 Jan.), with McNab also aboard, and contests the $150,000 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m). She has recorded two wins this campaign, including posting the fastest last 600m (32.7) on the day in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. She carries the minimum weight (53kg), has dawn well jumping from barrier two, and brings the right form to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.50. 

3:28 p.m. R6 10 Qali Al Farrasha (3 f Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Opie Bosson; she sprinted clear to win easing down by four lengths in the Maiden 3YO 1600 metres on 7 February at Matamata, with Bosson also aboard, and steps up in the $150,000 McKee Family Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m). She can certainly finish in the top three if appreciative of the course at her first attempt. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70. 

4:03 p.m. R7 1 Trobriand (3 c Kermadec – Arboreal) – Jonathan Riddell; he was unable to see out the trip in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 31 January at Te Rapa, won by stable-mate Ascend The Throne (below), and drops back in distance for the $150,000 Mainstream Plumbing Mufhasa Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). The Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner last season, he has been consistent against the best of his age group, the blinkers are on and he is certainly capable of improvement but will require things to go his way from the difficult gate (11) - the first of three from the stable to line up in this, one of the features on the programme. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.00. 

4:03 p.m. R7 3 Talisker (3 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Matt Cameron; he secured a nice trip but was unable to quicken in the Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) here on 27 January, and likewise contests the $150,000 Mainstream Plumbing Mufhasa Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). He capped off a hat-trick of wins with a terrific effort for second in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and is capable of improvement but again, luck will be needed from his wide barrier (10). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

4:03 p.m. R7 9 Certainly (3 f Savabeel – Frankly) – Opie Bosson; she ran the fastest last 600m (34.0) for a close up sixth to stable-mate Quintessa (Shamus Award) in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 13 January at Trentham, and was strong late for third when dropping back in the Special Conditions 1200 metres on 10 February at Te Rapa. Likewise contesting the $150,000 Mainstream Plumbing Mufhasa Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), the blinkers are on, she’s drawn a positive alley (5), and has first four claims if she finds Ellerslie to her liking at her first attempt.  Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50. 

5:15 p.m. R9 2 Ascend The Throne (3 g Savabeel – Thee Achiever) – Opie Bosson; he stepped up in class with very good victory in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 31 January at Te Rapa, and was required to pick a path but delivered a strong finish for fourth in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) here on 17 February. One of two stablemates contesting the $1 million Trackside NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), he presents as a top three contender with decent trip from barrier 10 - he has drawn one gate outside the red hot favourite so will have his eye firmly fixed on her. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.70.   

5:15 p.m. R9 9 What You Wish For (3 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Joe Doyle; he came from last for fourth in the fastest last 600m (34.9) in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 31 January, before an unusual sub-par performance in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) here on 17 February. He worked nicely in an exhibition gallop last Saturday at Matamata, he has the blinkers on in the $1 million Trackside NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and is certainly aided in his Group 1 quest by a handy draw (5). Fixed odds: $41.00 & $6.50.  

Wingatui:

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

12:00 p.m. R1 1 Nucleozor (2 g Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Ashvin Goindasamy; he settled back before cruising past to win a trial on 23 February at Riccarton, and debuts in the $40,000 2YO 820 metres. The brother to Qali Al Farrasha who also steps out at Ellerslie, his dam Nucleonic (Burgundy) impressed winning on debut as two-year-old, and he is a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.30.   

12:00 p.m. R1 2 Discretion Rules (2 g Alabama Express – Miss Madonna) – Lily Sutherland (a1); he began smartly from barrier one to lead, had close company, however sustained a strong run for second when trialling on 20 February at Tauranga. Debuting in the $40,000 2YO 820 metres, he possesses the speed to utilise barrier four and he too presents as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.50.    

1:45 p.m. R4 3 Millefiori (5 m Iffraaj – Miss Bluebell) – Lily Sutherland (a1); she ran the fastest last 600m (31.7) of the day when runner upin the Open Handicap 1100 metres on 10 February at Riccarton, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres. She did well to finish fourth to stable-mate Kai (Ocean Park) in the Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m) here on Boxing Day, and she looks up to delivering a dividend if she can secure a decent trip from the tricky barrier (8).  Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:39 p.m. R7 14 Kith ‘n’ Kin (4 m Almanzor – Kindred) – Ulrika Holmquist; she made good inroads late for fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 18 January at Riccarton, and won the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 3 February. She is up in grade and distance for the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, but is an honest campaigner who finds the line and is ideally drawn (2) to bring first four claims to the contest. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

4:22 p.m. R8 5 Mazzucato (3 f Tivaci – Yellen) – Ulrika Holmquist; she ran home strongly for fourth when resuming in the 3YO 1200 metres on 9 February at Wanganui, and is one of three Te Akau fillies to contest the $80,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m). She finished powerfully when winning the 3YO 1400 metres on 15 November at Riccarton, and  is perfectly drawn (2) to be a top four prospect. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90. 

4:22 p.m. R8 6 Sense of Timing (3 f Time Test – Pin Up Lae) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she raced very well for a close third in the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m) here on 3 February, and she is the second stable filly to contest the $80,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m). She quickened best to win a Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus) on 28 December at Rotorua, and is racing well but the draw poses her some problems (14). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50. 

4:22 p.m. R8 8 Lady Of Court (3 f Savabeel – Are There Any) – Lily Sutherland (a); she did very well for fourth off a wide trip, after drawing the outside (12), in the Maiden 1200 metres on 24 January at Matamata, and sustained big finish to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 10 February at Riccarton. She is capable of measuring up but she too will need to secure a decent trip from the awkward barrier nine in the $80,000 NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

Flemington:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 2 metres. No rain forecast. 

2:15 p.m. (NZ) - 12.15 p.m. (Vic) R1 4 Sans Doute (4 m Not A Single Doubt – My Prerogative) – Celine Gaudray (a1.5); won as she liked in the Benchmark 70 1000 metres here on 20 December and made it back-to-back course wins in the Black Caviar 1100 metres on 20 January. She meets small field (6) in the $150,000 Resimax Group Plate (1100m) and rates a top three chance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.20.

6:15 p.m. (NZ) - 4:15 p.m. (Vic) R8 15 Quintessa (3 f Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Michael Dee; displayed all her tenacity winning the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 13 January at Trentham, and ran fastest last 600m (34.2) for fourth in the BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 10 February at Te Rapa. Contesting the $1m Howden Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), won last year by Legarto (Proisir) with Dee aboard, she has terrific record and receives opportunity against best three-year-olds in Australasia. NZ TAB fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.