Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Saturday 17 August: Ruakaka and New Plymouth in New Zealand, and Caulfield, Melbourne.

Ruakaka:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. 11mls rain forecast Saturday. 

3:42 p.m. R6 5 Maracatu (3 g Ardrossan – Cortado) – Warren Kennedy; he performed well in three starts as two-year-old, displaying resolve to win over 1100 metres.  He has trialled twice in preparation to resume in the $100,000 Cambridge Stud North Island Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and positions as a top three chance from barrier three. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.50.

New Plymouth:  

Weather: showery, track: Heavy10, rail: out 4 metres. 44mls rain forecast Saturday. 

2.40 p.m. R7 12 Popthebubbles (5 m Wrote – Vickezzlepin) – Jess Allen (a2); she ran on without threatening in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 23 July at Hawera, and contests the $80,000 ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (Rating 75 1600 metres). She won here two starts ago when back in grade for the Rating 65 1800 metres, has the benefit of the apprentice engagement with weight relief to 53kg, and has proven ability on heavy ground to be competitive in this strong field. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40. 

Caulfield: 

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 9 metres. 4mls rain forecast Saturday. 

5:25 p.m. (NZ time) R6 2 Bellatrix Star (3 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party) – Michael Dee; she closed ominously for third in a trial on 4 July at Waipa, has transferred to Te Akau's stable at Cranbourne, and resumes in the A$200,000 The Importer Quezette Stakes (Gr. 3, 1100m). She was the Eclipse Stakes' (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner after scoring on debut last season, beating Velocious on that occasion, and is a nominee for Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year. She has shown ability to act well in a fresh state, but unfortunately has drawn awkwardly (10) and will require luck from wide gate. Sportsbet fixed odds: A$21.00 & A$4.60.