Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 22 horses entered on Saturday 12 April: Trentham and Riccarton in New Zealand, and one horse at Bendigo, Victoria.

Trentham: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast.

12:00 p.m. R1 7 Dujardin (2 f Hello Youmzain – Equestrienne) – Craig Grylls; she was steadied back last from a wide draw, settling about seven lengths of the leader at the 600m. She however took the gap nicely entering straight, and finished strongly down the outside to win a trial in an eye catching manner on 1 April at Ellerslie. Resuming in the $35,000 2YO 1300 metres, this aptly named filly made up plenty of ground for fourth on debut, and is from a gifted family. The blinkers are on and she rates a top three chance from barrier three. Fixed odds: $2.35 & $1.20.

12:35 p.m. R2 13 Celtic Bling (3 f Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth) – Michael McNab; she began well to contest the pace and remained held together while sustaining a good gallop for second in a trial on 3 April at Ellerslie. Resuming in the $20,000 Maiden 2YO & Up 1000 metres, she has race experience, and has also trialled well, but needs a whole lot of things to go her way to negate the wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

3:24 p.m. R7 2 Mehzebeen (5 m Almanzor – Salkantay) – Lily Sutherland; she ran a very good race from the outside gate for a close third in the New Zealand St Leger (2600m) here on 22 March, and contests the $120,000 Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawkes Bay Cup over 2200m. Runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks here as a three-year-old, she was also the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Group 3 New Zealand Cup winner earlier this season in the space of a week.  She comes into this race with strong form lines Inca can deliver a top three finish as the market also suggests.  Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.   

4:34 p.m. R9 1 When Stars Align (3 g Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Michael McNab; he kept finding for second, after leading, when resuming in the 3YO 1200 metres on 8 March at New Plymouth, and fought well for fourth after being taken on in front in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 23 March at Matamata. Back in distance for the $35,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 1100 metres, he was a course/distance winner on debut as two-year-old, he also sees the application of blinkers, and can certainly be in the thick of things at the business end of the race. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

Riccarton: 

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

11:45 a.m. R1 12 Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather) – George Rooke; she finished a close second in the Maiden 1200 metres on 6 December at Riccarton (poly-track), and was not asked for too much when finishing fourth in 800-metre trial on 25 February at Ashburton. Resuming in the $20,000 Maiden 1200 metres, she does appear capable of a bold performance firstbup if her pilot can navigate the abysmal draw (14).  Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.

12:20 p.m. R2 1 Discretion Rules (3 g Alabama Express – Miss Madonna) – Hayley Hassman (a4); the first of four stablemates contesting the second race on the programme, he raced below expectations in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 22 March, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres looking to bounce back to form. He won the Listed Champagne Stakes over 1200m here last season, has weight relief to 56.5kg with the stable apprentice engaged, and finds the opportunity to show improvement however the wide gate (14) is an obstacle to that. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

12:20 p.m. R2 6 Hooray For Harry (3 g Harry Angel – Here We Come) – George Rooke; he deserved the victory when at his fighting best in the Maiden 1200 metres on 5 March and stepped up with close second in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 22 March, both here at Riccarton. Also contesting the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, he is racing well, and from barrier two, he should give this field a shake.  Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.10.

12:20 p.m. R2 7 Knowledge Is Power (3 g Written Tycoon – Hectopascal) – Triston Moodley (a2); he began smartly to lead, was going well when clearly in front at the 200m, and pulled away to easily win a trial here on 24 March. Resuming in the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, he is likely to race in or near the lead as he prefers, and he appears in right fettle to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

12:20 p.m. R2 9 Angels Wings (5 m Heroic Valour – Gowana) – Courtney Barnes; she was caught wide early and was then unable to quicken on the Heavy8 footing she struck in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 13 March at Ashburton. Likewise contesting the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she began this campaign with good efforts for third and second, is a previous course winner, and has drawn the ace, so is poised for an economical run. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.40. 

12:53 p.m. R3 7 Star Shadow (3 f Reliable Man – Scene Queen) – George Rooke; she did very well coming from the rear for second in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 5 February and wasn’t far away when finishing widest on track in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 5 March, both here at Riccarton. Again, given time (38 days) between runs, she has the credentials to prove competitive in the $20,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $3.70 & $1.75. 

2:00 p.m. R5 2 Kabugee (5 g Satono Aladdin – Kabuki) – George Rooke; the first of a stable quartet contesting this race, he was back to his very best when winning the Rating 75 1400 metres here on 19 February, and fought well for a close third in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 13 March at Ashburton. Lining up in the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, he’s a runner that appreciates some give in the ground, and he is capable of a first four finish. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

2:00 p.m. R5 12 Mazzucato (4 m Tivaci – Yellen) – Joe Doyle; she was pushed along throughout in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 13 March at Ashburton, and also contests the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. She included a win over 1400 metres when racing very well during Cup Week in November at Riccarton last year, and is looking to bounce back to that form, is she can successful overcome the disadvantage of her wide gate (14). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.90.

2:00 p.m. R5 13 Can’t Kach Me (5 m Tavistock – Kachina) – Hayley Hassman (a4); she tracked the leaders from barrier one and, for a staying type of mare over a sprint trip, she ran on very well to finish third when trialling here on 24 March. Resuming in the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, she enjoys weight relief to 52kg with the apprentice aboard. She won fresh-up in October over 1600 metres on this track too, so look for her finding the line with determination. Fixed odds: $23.00 & $5.50. 

2:00 p.m. R5 14 Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Courtney Barnes; she made good ground from last in the fastest final 600m (34.8) to finish sixth in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 22 March, likewise with Barnes aboard, and she too contests the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. She has previously raced well on course, clocks good sectionals, and looks a first four prospect from barrier two. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.60. 

2:42 p.m. R6 5 Best Rose (2 f Maurice – Queen’s Legacy) – George Rooke; she raced clear to win the 2YO 1000 metres by three lengths on 19 February and tried hard when finishing second to race rival Zelia in the Pearl Series 2YO 1000 metres on 22 March, both here at Riccarton. Contesting the $80,000 Listed Riccarton Park Function Centre Welcome Stakes (1000m), she has blinkers on, and rates a top three chance from barrier two - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.60. 

2:42 p.m. R6 6 Queen’s Evidence (2 f King’s Legacy – Enjay) – Joe Doyle; she quickened with a nice action in the straight to win a trial on 11 February at Ellerslie, and responded in good fashion to comfortably win the 2YO 1100 metres on debut on 1 March at Wingatui, also with Doyle aboard. Given time to settle in at Riccarton, she looks a top three prospect in the Listed 2YO feature. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.60. 

Te Akau has won the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) nine times, including last year with Nucleozor (Almanzor), who was subsequently sold to Hong Kong.  

3:17 p.m. R7 10 Caravella (5 m Caravaggio – Highland Lights) – George Rooke; she has been given time (38 days) since being unable to quicken on Heavy8 going in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 5 March, and contests the $40,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres. All five of her career wins have come over 1200 metres and, looking to recapture form, the blinkers are on, and she is ideally drawn (2) to show improvement. Fixed odds: $27.00 & $6.00.

3:52 p.m. R8 1 Dream Of The Moon (3 f All Too Hard – Moonchild) – George Rooke; she drew out to win when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 5 March, before racing below expectations and having a slow recovery in the 3YO 1400 metres on 22 March. An impressive winner here as two-year-old, she was up to the best of her age in stakes’ races earlier this season, and seeks the opportunity to bounce back to that previous excellent form from barrier three in the $80,000 Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes over 1600m - one of two Te Akau trained fillies lining up in the 3YO feature. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.70. 

3:52 p.m. R8 7 Donna Chiara (3 f Belardo – Bellabaci) – Joe Doyle; also contesting the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes, she appeared likely to threaten before finishing seventh in the Rating 65 1600 metres here on 22 March. She is a capable filly that has performed best on good ground, she has the blinkers on, but will need luck from the outside gate (24). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.90.

4:27 p.m. R9 1 Perfect Scenario (7 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – George Rooke; he went oh, so painstakingly close (nose) to recording a hat-trick of victories in the Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) on 1 March at Wingatui, and was courageous under the top weight (60.5kg) for second in the Open Handicap 1400 metres here on 22 March. While the weight impost of 60kg makes it tough again in strong field for the $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (Open Handicap, 1600m), he tries his heart out and brings the right form to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00. 

5:02 p.m. R10 1 Fellini (5 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Hayley Hassman (a4); he fought solidly from a handy position for fifth in the Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) here on 22 March, and contests the $35,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. Down in grade, but up in weight to carry 60.5kg, he possesses the  ability to prove competitive but requires everything to go right from his wide draw (14) - the first of a stable duo contesting the last on the programme. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.20.

5:02 p.m. R10 4 Family Ties (5 m Contributer – Glamazon) – Ace Lawson-Carroll (a1); she remained midfield when dropping back in distance for the group 3 South Island Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) here on 22 March, and also contests the $35,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. She raced clear to win a Rating 75 2000m here on 19 February, and finished strongly from back in the field for fourth in the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) on 1 March at Wingatui. Ideally drawn (5), she brings the right form to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.30.

Bendigo:

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

6.15 p.m. (NZ time) R8 13 Exuberance (3 f Savabeel – Miss Opulence) – Jordan Childs; she quickened away for another promising victory in the Benchmark 64 3YO 1200 metres on 13 March at Pakenham, and steps up in the A$200,000 Listed RSN Bendigo Guineas (1400m). She contested the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude over the same distance, after winning in her previous campaign,. She is fashioning a very good record, and is well placed to prove competitive from barrier five. NZ TAB fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.00.