Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Saturday 1 February at Ellerslie and New Plymouth in New Zealand, and Sandown Lakeside, Victoria.

Ellerslie:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 10 metres. No rain forecast.

1:35 p.m. R3 1 Return To Conquer (2 c Snitzel – Vaujany) – Wiremu Pinn; he commenced his career with a stylish victory in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) on 23 November at Pukekohe (main picture), also ridden by Pinn, and quickened off the trail in timely fashion to win nicely at the trials on 14 January at Matamata. Resuming in the $120,000 Group 3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic over 1200m, he possesses an impeccable all-round record, has drawn barrier three in the compact field, and is backed as the hardest to beat in a race with two stable representatives. Fixed odds: $1.40 & $1.05.

1:35 p.m. R3 2 Dare To Proisir (2 g Proisir – Hayle Bay) – Kevin Stott; he finished third on debut and came from back in the field with a strong finish for third again in the 2YO 1200 metres here on 12 January, won by stable-mate To Bravery Born (Snitzel). He was the first emergency for last weekend's Karaka Millions 2YO but didn't make the field. Drawn barrier five in this juvenile feature, he rates a top three chance in the $120,000 Group 3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.20.

2:10 p.m. R4 2 I’m A Dirty Rascal (7 g Galileo – Remember When, by Danehill Dancer) – Wiremu Pinn; he settled last and remained back when having his first start (two days after purchase) for the stable in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on 21 December at Pakenham, and contests the $65,000 Open Handicap 2200 metres. He ran well for sixth in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) when finishing a neck behind eventual Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice, and fought hard for sixth again in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) on 9 November at Flemington. A genuine staying horse, he looks a top three prospect having his first New Zealand start. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.05.

4:02 p.m. R7 10 Cognito (5 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Wiremu Pinn; he circled widest with a strong finish for third in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) on 23 November at Pukekohe, and understandably finished back following a tough, wide trip in the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) on 21 December at Trentham. Given time (42 days), with an exhibition gallop in between, he brings good course/distance form to the $100,000 Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) but yet again requires luck from a difficult gate(14). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.60. 

New Plymouth:

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft6, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

12:40 p.m. R1 4 Inca Belle (5 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Craig Grylls; she rounded off well for sixth after getting back from a wide draw (11) in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 10 January at Tauranga, and contests the corresponding event. Racing solidly, she is ideally drawn (3) to have first four claims. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.90.

3:00 p.m. R5 5 Aotea Lad (8 g Savabeel – Corsage) – Michael McNab; he received a nice trip settling fourth on the outer, ranged four wide rounding the home turn, led inside the 200m and went on to nicely win a trial on 14 January at Matamata. The stable's elder statesman, he ended his previous campaign after making his jumps' debut in the Maiden Hurdle (2800m) on 15 September at Te Rapa, but has the ability to act fresh and brings a good distance record to the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres - the first of a stable duo lining up in the event. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.70.

3:00 p.m. R5 8 Talisker (4 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Craig Grylls; he received an economical trip and ran a good race for third in the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy over 1600m on 4 January at Trentham, won by stable-mate My Lips Are Sealed (Ace High). Also contesting the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres, he capped a hat-trick of wins with terrific effort for second in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas last season and was voted South Island Champion Three-Year-Old last season. He has top three credentials in an even race. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.50.

3:35 p.m. R6 5 Crown Princess (3 f Embellish – Princess Davone) – Michael McNab; she trounced her rivals in the Maiden 1560 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and proved competitive when fighting hard for fifth in the Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) on 1 January at Ellerslie. She is ideally drawn (2) to rate a top three chance in the $80,000 Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude 1800m. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.60. 

4:10 p.m. R7 1 Midnight Blue (8 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Ryan Elliot; he did well coming from off the pace to grab second in the Taupo Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) on 30 December at Taupo, galloped strongly through the line in exhibition gallop on 22 January at Matamata, and contests the $120,000 Group 3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m). His career boasts seven wins from 1600m – 2400m, including the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) and Listed Seymour Cup (1600m), and has first rates a top four chance from barrier two. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.05.

4:45 p.m. R8 3 Egyptian Queen (4 m Zoustar – Hieroglyphics) – Michael McNab; proved dominant winning the Rating 65 1200 metres on 21 December at Te Rapa, and overhauled late after leading in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 10 January at Tauranga. Twice stakes placed, likely ridden with cover from barrier three, and rates a top three chance in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.80. 

Sandown:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast.

2:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 12:15 (Vic) R1 1 It’s Business Time (6 m Turn Me Loose – Risque Business) – Blake Shinn; she looked good winning last two jump outs at Cranbourne, most recently on 20 January, and resumes in the A$150,000 Benchmark 90 1200 metres. While she has been off the racing scene since finishing second in the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile in 15 November 2023, she has won six of 10 starts from 1200m – 1600m. She is destined to get over more distance but today is an ideal starting point for her new campaign and she has drawn the ace (1). NZ TAB fixed odds: $7.00 & $1.85. 

6:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:55 p.m. (Vic) R9 1 Quintessa (4 m Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Michael Dee; she remained back, but looked fine, in a jump out on 27 January at Cranbourne, and resumes in the A$200,000 Group 3 Lamaro’s Hotel Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes over 1200m - a race previously won by the stable with Probabeel. A Group One and dual Group Three winner, she resumed with a terrific victory in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) last August, and brings an excellent fresh-up record over 1200 metres. However she carries the top weight (60kg) but is nonetheless capable of a bold showing first up from barrier six. NZ TAB fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.40.