Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 16 horses entered on Saturday 12 October: Te Rapa, and Ashburton and one at Caulfield, Melbourne.

Te Rapa: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft7, rail: true. Rain forecast Friday. 

12:15 p.m. R1 6 Altari (3 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Opie Bosson; he ran home strongly for third in a trial on 19 September at Rotorua, and resumes in the $65,000 3YO 1400 metres. He recorded a smart debut victory last season over 1200 metres and is beautifully bred, from an excellent family. The blinkers are on, and he is ideally drawn (4) to race well fresh-up if appreciative of track conditions. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.50. 

1:57 p.m. R4 11 Inspired By Art (4 m So You Think – La Bella Delicia) – Opie Bosson; she remained well held together while sustaining a strong gallop for second in a trial on 19 September at Rotorua, and resumes in the $65,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She charged late to win a Maiden 1600 metres last season, ended campaign following the Group 2 Lowland Stakes over 2000m, and she has the class to race well fresh-up from barrier one before stepping up in distance this preparation. Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.85. 

3:05 p.m. R6 13 Court Of Appeal (4 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Opie Bosson; she recorded an encouraging victory in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 13 September at Matamata, with Bosson aboard, and contests the $65,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. From a staying type family, she has placed three times to 2000 metres, and positioned to race well if she can garner any luck from her wide draw (16). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $4.00.

4:15 p.m. R8 1 Petrucci (5 m I Am Invincible – Via Napoli) – Ngakau Hailey (a3); she got back on the inner and closed late when resuming in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here on 27 September. Back in grade for the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, she will appreciate the weight relief to 58kg. She has been an impressive winner at this distance, handles soft ground, but if another who has drawn abysmally (14). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.90. 

4:50 p.m. R9 12 Campionessa (7 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Opie Bosson; she did what was intended when finishing fourth to stable-mate Wild Night in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 2 October at Matamata, and found the line very well to win a trial there last Tuesday. Contesting the $550,000 Group 1 Livamol Classic over 2040m, she won the Group 1 Zabeel Classic last season, and also the Group Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield. Despite an interrupted preparation through no fault of her own, with meeting abandonments and delays, she has a terrific course record, and rates a top three chance from barrier six. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.95. 

5:25 p.m. R10 1 Cognito (5 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Ngakau Hailey (a3); the first of two stable runners in the last, he was tightened but never really fired when resuming in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 21 September at Ellerslie, and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. He has raced well here, enjoys weight relief to 58.5kg and has the blinkers on. A past Group 2 Wellington Guineas winner over 1400m, he can improve with a good dose of luck from his wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.40.

5:25 p.m. R10 4 My Lips Are Sealed (4 m Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Opie Bosson; she raced clear to win the Rating 65 1400 metres on 4 September at Matamata, and sustained a strong finish to win the Rating 75 1400 metres here on 27 September. Also contesting the $65,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, she does carry the increased weight of 58.5kg, however she finished second in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes over the mile last season, and is ideally drawn (4) to deliver a top four finish in a strong field. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.40.

Ashburton: 

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

2:56 p.m. R6 6 Fellini (5 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Liam Riordan; he won the Rating 75 1800 metres on 31 August and fought hard for a close second in the New Zealand Cup Trial (Open Handicap, 1800 metres) on 14 September, both at Riccarton. Back in distance for the $50,000 McCrae Painters & Decorators Ashburton Cup (Open Handicap, 1600 metres), he is course/distance placed at his only previous attempt. He is racing well and rates a top three chance but will need things to go his way with the Australian hoop aboard from the wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

3:31 p.m. R7 7 Bello Mio (5 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Lily Sutherland (a1); he found the line for fifth after getting well back in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 25 September at Timaru, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Suited to this increased distance, he is a dual winner that has placed to 1400 metres. The blinkers are on, and he can race competitively but he’s another to have fallen foul of the draw gods, jumping from barrier 19. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30. 

3:31 p.m. R7 13 Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Liam Riordan; she produced a notable effort for third in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 14 September at Riccarton, and she too contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She resumed with a good fourth prior, broke through for easy win over 1400 metres last season at Te Aroha, has run good sectionals, and rates a top four chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 &1.95. 

4:06 p.m. R8 1 When Stars Align (3 c Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Jasmine Fawcett; he sustained a solid gallop for third when resuming in the 3YO Colts & Geldings 1100 metres on 21 August at Taupo, and finished fifth after leading in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 14 September at Riccarton. The first of a stable quartet lining up in the feature, the $100,000 Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes over 1400m, he seeks improvement but will need a lot to go his way from his awkward barrier (10).  Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.00. 

4:06 p.m. R8 5 The Victress (3 f Zousain – Liesele) – Darren Danis; she raced clear after leading to score dominantly when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres on 31 August and yielded final 200m to finish sixth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes over 1200m on 14 September, both at Riccarton. The winner of two from five, this jockey won the corresponding race last year on stable-mate Star Of Justice, and she is certainly capable of a bold effort from barrier two in the $100,000 Barneswood Farm Stakes. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $4.50. 

4:06 p.m. R8 6 Dream Of The Moon (3 f All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Liam Riordan; she sustained a good gallop for a close second when trialling on 21 August at Taupo, and resumed with a big run for second to race rival Raziah in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes on 14 September at Riccarton. Impressive winning, and finishing third to stable-mate Captured By Love in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes over 1100m last season, she presents as a genuine top three chance if she can secure a decent trip from barrier nine in the feature. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.70. 

4:06 p.m. R8 9 Donna Chiara (3 f Belardo – Bellabaci) – Lily Sutherland (a1); she easily won the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 25 September at Timaru, and steps up in class for the Barneswood Farm Stakes. She meets far stronger field, but brings winning form to the contest and is the ideally drawn (2) to race well. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.25. 

Te Akau has won the Barneswood Farm Stakes eight times, including last year with Star Of Justice (Justify).

4:41 p.m. R9 1 Tokyo Tycoon (4 g Satono Aladdin – All About The Coin) – Lily Sutherland (a1); he made up plenty of ground from well back in the field when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 28 September at Riccarton, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Former Karaka Million 2YO winner and Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year, he looked good in his action and appears suited stepping up in distance. He he does carry a big weight (60kg), nonetheless he rates a top four chance but will need things to go his way from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.05. 

4:41 p.m. R9 13 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Liam Riordan; she circled widest after racing keenly when finishing fifth in the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on 14 September at Riccarton, and contests the corresponding event. She has a solid record, is stakes’ placed, and looks a top four prospect from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

Caulfield:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

7:10 p.m. (NZ) ~ 5:10 p.m. (Vic) R9 9 Bellatrix Star (3 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party) – Craig Williams; she charged home for an impressive victory in Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes over 1100m on 14 September at Flemington, and then brilliantly won the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes over 1200m on 27 September at Moonee Valley. Contesting the A$300,000 Group 2 Henley Homes Schillaci Stakes 1100m, she is ideally drawn (4), is in peak form after back-to-back wins, carries only 51kg as three-year-old filly at weight-for-age conditions, and rates a top three chance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.30.