Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Saturday 25 May at Pukekohe, New Zealand, and Sandown, Victoria.

Pukekohe: 

Weather: cloudy, track: Heavy8, rail: true 1900m – 1600m, remainder out 6 metres. 3mls rain forecast Friday and showers Saturday. 

12:26 p.m. R3 8 Star Shadow (2 f Reliable Man – Scene Queen) – Wiremu Pinn; she recorded her debut win on Heavy8 footing in the 2YO 1300 metres on 13 April at Otaki, and closed well near the rail for fifth on Soft7 in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 4 May at Te Rapa, ridden by Pinn in both. She has shown to appreciate give in ground and rates a top three chance in the $100,000 Staphanos At Novara Park Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $1.40 & $1.00.   

1:06 p.m. R4 1 Baronet (4 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Tayla Melvin (a4); he sustained a solid finish for fourth after ranging into the clear rounding the home turn in the Rating 65 1200 metres on Wednesday at Taupo, with Melvin aboard, and backs up three days later in the $20,000 Rating 60 1400 metres. He finished second in the corresponding event on 8 May at Matamata, has weight relief to 56kg, and presents as top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $2.25. 

1:39 p.m. R5 3 Devoted (6 g Contributer – Mapmaker) – Tayla Melvin (a4); he finished strongly from the  rear for fourth in the Rating 65 2200 metres on 11 May at Rotorua, also with Melvin aboard, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 2100 metres. Racing solidly, he enjoys weight relief to 55kg, the footing should suit, and he looks a first four prospect in an even field. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80. 

2:12 p.m. R6 8 Kabugee (4 g Satono Aladdin – Kabuki) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he ran on from midfield for sixth when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 8 May at Matamata, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. A good athlete who handles give in the ground, he likes this course, and can deliver a top three finish from barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.15.

2:47 p.m. R7 12 Accidental Tourist (4 g Telperion – Megara) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he finished well for fourth when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 8 May at Matamata, and contests the $45,000 Open Handicap 1500 metres. Impressive winning four times to 1600 metres, with three from four on heavy ground, he carries the minimum weight (54kg), and has definite first four claims. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.10. 

3:22 p.m. R8 9 Zantabulous (4 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Warren Kennedy; she continued her good form with a strong finish for third in the Rating 75 1560 metres on 11 May at Rotorua, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. She has unfortunately drawn wide (12), but rates a top three chance nonetheless. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00. 

Sandown: 

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

6:35 p.m. (NZ) - 4:35 p.m. (Vic) R10 8 Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel – High Fashion) – Ryan Houston (a3); did her best work through the line in the Hareeba Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 20 April at Mornington, and remained in tight quarters when not far away in the Proud Miss Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 11 May at Morphettville. Contesting the A$150,000 Benchmark 100 1400 metres, she is a Group Three winner at this trip, is ideally drawn (2) and has the benefit of weight relief to 53.5kg. NZ TAB Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.50.