Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has ten horses entered on Saturday 11 May at Rotorua in New Zealand; Caulfield in Melbourne, and Morphettville in South Australia.

Rotorua:

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

12:35 p.m. R2 1 Malmaison (3 g Darci Brahma – Altai Rose) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he extended beautifully in the straight to win a trial on 30 April at Waipa, and resumes in the $20,000 Maiden 1215 metres. Three starts in his first campaign delivered two seconds, including here over the same distance, and he rates a top three chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.85. 

1:10 p.m. R3 3 Merlotti (4 g Burgundy – Ruppertsberg) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he resumed with victory in the Rating 60 1200 metres on 19 April at Matamata, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $35,000 Rating 65 1215 metres. He has placed in two of three course attempts, and while he meets a stronger field, he does bring winning form to the equation. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.

1:10 p.m. R3 5 Polly Plum (5 m Xtravagant – Herstory) – Tayla Melvin (a4); she raced in or near the lead when finishing third in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 19 April at Matamata, also with Melvin aboard, and likewise contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1215 metres. With weight relief to 56kg, she has been a course/distance placed at her only attempt here, and has been racing solidly. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80. 

1:45 p.m. R4 7 Zantabulous (4 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Wiremu Pinn; she comfortably won the Rating 75 1600 metres on 14 April at Te Rapa, and clocked the fastest last 600m (35.8) when circling widest for third in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 26 April at Matamata, ridden in each by Pinn. Ideally drawn (2) in the $35,000 Rating 75 1560 metres, she rates a top three chance, the first of a stable duo lining up in the event. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.95. 

1:45 p.m. R4 9 Family Ties (4 m Contributer – Glamazon) – Jess Allen (a3); she settled last from her outside gate (13) and did well on the inner for sixth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 26 April at Matamata, and also contests the $35,000 Rating 75 1560 metres. She won the Rating 65 1400 metres on 16 March at Tauranga, with Allen aboard, enjoys weight relief to 52.5kg, and is more than capable of a bold effort. Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.20. 

2:26 p.m. R5 6 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Wiremu Pinn; she continued her good form with notable fourth on footing downgraded to Heavy10 in the Hawke’s Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m) on 13 April at Otaki, and has since looked good getting through the line strongly when trialling on 30 April at Waipa. Contesting the $100,000 Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (Listed, 2200m), she has won three of her last seven starts to 2200 metres, including finishing runner-up in the Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m), and she is well positioned to deliver a top three finish. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

3:02 p.m. R6 4 Devoted (6 g Contributer – Mapmaker) – Tayla Melvin (a4); he ran on from beyond midfield for sixth in the Rating 65 & Jumpers 2000 metres on 19 April at Matamata, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 2200 metres. Generally racing in solid form, he is another benefiting from apprentice weight relief (to 55kg), and while the footing should suit, he meets very even field. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.60.

3:37 p.m. R7 2 Millefiori (5 m Iffraaj – Miss Bluebell) – Sam Weatherley; she sustained a solid finish out of midfield for third in the Great Easter Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 20 April at Riccarton, and contests the $100,000 Rotorua ITM Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). She continues to race well without all favours, striking bad luck frequently.  She is a well performed winner of seven races, however carrying 57kg under weight-for-age conditions makes this task harder. Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.60.

Caulfield:

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday. 

4:25 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:25 p.m. (Vic) R6 7 Savoir Faire (4 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Celine Gaudray (a1.5); came from the rear with a strong finish for a close second when resuming in the Benchmark 70 1600 metres on 21 March at Pakenham, and paid the price after being caught wide in the Benchmark 78 2000 metres at Mornington. Contesting the A$80,000 Benchmark 78 2000 metres, he is best ridden with cover and will require luck from his ghastly draw (18). NZ TAB Fixed odds: $31.00 & $7.50. 

Morphettville:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

5.12 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:42 p.m. (SA) R6 1 Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel – High Fashion) – Blake Shinn; she got back last and did her best work through the line when making her Australian debut in the Hareeba Stakes (Listed, 1200m) here on 20 April. Contesting the A$150,000 Sportsbet Proud Miss Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), she is already a Group Three winner, possesses a good record at this distance, is the highest rated (98) and weighted accordingly (57kg), however is handily drawn (5). NZ TAB Fixed odds: $20.00 & $6.00.