Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Saturday 5 April: Ellerslie and Wanganui in New Zealand, and one horse entered at Caulfield, Melbourne.

Ellerslie:

Weather: raining, track: Soft5, rail: out 5 metres. 28mls rain forecast Friday and showers forecast Saturday.

2:36 p.m. R5 5 Altari (3 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – George Rooke; he got back last, eight lengths off the leaders at the 600m point, however he closed strongly in what was the equal fastest last 600m (34.3) when resuming in the 3YO 1200 metres on 15 March at Tauranga. Contesting the $55,000 3YO 1500 metres, while he meets a strong field, he has been an impressive winner previously. He appears suited stepping in distance, and we know has the ability to prove competitive if a decent trip can be secured from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $20.00 & $4.50. 

3:11 p.m. R6 5 Francee (5 m Iffraaj – Calveen) – George Rooke; she sustained strong finish from back in field to win the Pearl Series Final Rating 72 Fillies & Mares 1400m here on Champions’ Day, 8 March, and contests the $55,000 Rating 75 1500 metres. She is likely to settle off pace from barrier nine, but she does seem nicely placed after her last start win to deliver a top three finish again. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.10.

Wanganui:

Weather: showery, track: Soft5, rail: out 3 metres from 1200m – 325m, cutaway rail in straight. 3mls rain forecast Friday and showers forecast Saturday.

12:30 p.m. R1 2 I Am Nutz (3 g I Am Invincible – Pecans) – Craig Grylls; he got back, six lengths 600m, and finished strongly once clear in straight for fifth in the 3YO 1200 metres on 15 March at Tauranga, also with Grylls aboard. Contesting the $40,000 3YO 1350 metres, he won two starts ago boasting a strong final sectional (33.9 last 600m), and is a definite a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.45. 

Caulfield:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 9 metres. No rain forecast.

6:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:15 p.m. (Vic) R8 4 Quintessa (4 m Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Billy Egan; she fought well in torridly run Group 2 Sunline Stakes over 1600m on 22 March at Moonee Valley, and contests the A$200,000 Group 3 Tobin Brothers Easter Cup (2000m). A Group 1 winner at 1600 metres, she is also a dual Group 3 winner, and was also a nose runner-up in the Group 2 Alister Clark stakes last season over 2040m at Moonee Valley. She brings a good course record to this battle, and while she looks that she will appreciate the step up in distance, she’s again copped a nightmare draw (15).  NZ TAB fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.

Main photo - Quintessa winning the Group 3 Cockram Stakes, Caulfield, August 2024