Te Akau Trans-Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing on Saturday 21 March: Tauranga, and Rosehill Gardens (Sydney).

Tauranga:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 2 metres. No rain forecast.

3.18 p.m. R5 1 Mongolianconqueror  (5 g Ocean Park - Queen Rania) - Craig Grylls; has been given time (27 days) since finishing fifth in the Wairoa Cup (Open, 2100m), and contests the $30,000 J Swap Contractors Bay of Plenty Cup (Rating 82, 2100 metres). A Maiden winner here over 1600 metres at his only course attempt, he rates a top four chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.60.

3.18 p.m. R5 5 Swing Note  (5 m Encosta De Lago - Andallthatjazz) - Roy Kozaki; produced two solid efforts for second and best late when unsuited by rain-affected track conditions in the Wairoa Cup (Open, 2100m) on 23 February at Wairoa. Contesting the $30,000 J Swap Contractors Bay of Plenty Cup (Rating 82 2100 metres), the former stakes winner (Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m)) finished second here in the corresponding event three starts ago and should go well with the right trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.30.

3.56 p.m. R6 5 Scott Base (5 g Dalghar - Extra Celestial) - Danielle Johnson; had good form finishing third in the Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) in January at Trentham, and produced a big finish (fast 600m: 33.8) for fourth to stable-mate Prise De Fer (Savabeel) in the Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 1800m) on 1 February at New Plymouth, before floundering on rain-affected going in the Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) on 22 February at Matamata. Able to bounce back, he rates a top four chance from barrier one in the Ultimate Mazda $100,000 Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.40. 

4.36 p.m. R7 1 Fabulous Flight  (5 g I Am Invincible - Court Flying) - Roy Kozaki; resumed with a good third in the Rating 72 1400 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa, running the fastest last 600m (33.2) on the day, before registering his fourth win in the Rating 72 1400 metres on 2 February at Matamata. He missed on rain-affected Slow7 footing in the Rating 72 1500 metres on 23 February at Wairoa, and requires luck from the outside gate (9) in the $25,000 Rating 72 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.40.

4.36 p.m. R7 3 Mazzuro  (5 g Rip Van Winkle - Mini Pearl) - Danielle Johnson; won easing down by two and a half lengths over 2100 metres during his last campaign. He worked home strongly for second to subsequent winner Go Nicholas (Danroad) when trialling on 3 March at Te Teko, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 72 1600 metres. Although better suited over more distance, look for him finding the line. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.30.

Rosehill: (Golden Slipper Day)

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

5.05 p.m. (NZ time) R5 2 Te Akau Shark  (5 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Chief) - Opie Bosson; resumed with a brilliant victory in the BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 8 February at Te Rapa, and quite stunning in victory three weeks ago in the Chipping Norton Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Randwick. Give in the ground appears ideal in the $1m George Ryder Stakes (Gr. 1, 1500m) and although yet to start on the course he warrants the short-priced quote. Fixed odds NZ TAB: $2.05 & $1.20.

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