Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Saturday 31 May at Te Rapa, Hamilton in New Zealand and one horse at Caulfield in Melbourne.

Te Rapa:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: out 10.5 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:53 p.m. R2 5 Paravane (3 f Merchant Navy – In The Vanguard) – Vinnie Colgan; she dictated terms in front and quickened clear to win easily when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 7 May at Ellerslie, also with Colgan aboard. Contesting the $35,000 3YO 1100 metres, she is the half-sister to Champion 2YO and Group One winning former stable-mate Sword Of State (Sntizel), now standing at Cambridge Stud. The progeny of this sire have shown the ability to handle heavy ground, and she can right in the finish if she copes with the heavy footing. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $1.50. 

2:04 p.m. R4 11 Sybaris (3 f Magna Grecia – Ocean Fleet) – Ace Lawson-Carroll (a1); she led before easing to trail and finished second in a quiet trial on 16 May at Cambridge (poly-track). Resuming in the $20,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres, she has won a trial on Heavy10 going, the progeny of her sire have also looked to handle heavy ground, and she appears capable of bold showing fresh-up. Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.20.

2:40 p.m. R5 10 Inca Belle (5 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – George Rooke; she did very well after getting back from her outside gate (14) to finish third in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 3 May, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. She has placed at both of her prior course attempts, has good record on heavy tracks, and while she has drawn wide (12) again, she is capable of proving competitive if she brings a similar performance to the contest - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.

2:40 p.m. R5 12 Akenehi (4 m Fastnet Rock – Igraine) – Vinnie Colgan; she fought well for fourth when resuming in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 14 May at Matamata, and also contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. She has been a winner (Heavy8) and has placed four times from five starts over a similar distance (1400m). Her dam Igraine (Galileo) impressed winning on soft ground from 1400m – 2100m, including a Group 2 Counties Cup victory, she does have ability, and if she handles the conditions, she can deliver a first four finish. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $3.00.

3:50 p.m. R7 1 Baronet (5 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Vinnie Colgan; he was unable to threaten in the $35,000 Rating 75 1200 metres last Saturday at New Plymouth, and contests the corresponding event. Prior to that, he fought hard for third in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here on 3 May, all three of his wins over 1200 metres have been on heavy ground, and he is certainly capable of proving competitive in this solid field. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.90.

Caulfield:

Weather: overcast: Good4, rail: out 8 metres. No rain forecast.

5:20 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:20 p.m. (Vic) R7 7 Savoir Faire (5 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Luke Cartwright (a3); he was unable to sustain a sweeping run in the Benchmark 84 2400 metres here on 10 May, also with Cartwright aboard, and drops in distance for the $130,000 Benchmark 84 2000 metres. He has been both a course and distance winner, with four career wins over 2000 metres, has weight relief to 55.5kg, but requires a lot of luck from his wide draw (10). NZ TAB Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40.