Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview
8 August, 2025
Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Saturday 9 August: Te Rapa and Riccarton in New Zealand, and two horses entered at Moonee Valley, Melbourne.
Te Rapa:
Weather: cloudy, track: Heavy8, rail: out 12 metres. No rain forecast.
2:35 p.m. R5 1 Fierce Flight (7 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Opie Bosson; he strips a very fit horse as he reverts back to flat racing in the $35,000 Rating 75 2100 metres, following two seconds over the hurdles. With that good fitness on his side, he is a stakes’ winner and twice Group Three placed among six wins to 2200 metres, and while he carries a big weight (61kg) his ace draw ensures he can potentially secure an economical trip. Fixed odds: $20.00 & $5.00.
3:10 p.m. R6 5 Malborough Bay (6 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) – Opie Bosson; he won the Rating 75 1400 metres on 5 July and put in a good effort for second following a nice trip in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 26 July, both here at Te Rapa. Contesting the $40,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres, he is a five-time winner that has twice placed at this distance. He’s certainly racing in fine fettle and well drawn (4) to give this field a shake. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.65. Also accepted in race 8.
4:20 p.m. R8 1 Malborough Bay (6 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) – Jack Taplin (a4); also nominated for the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, the five-time winning, dual course/distance winner, enjoys weight relief to 59.5kg if this option is chosen. He is racing in fine fettle, and possesses the ability to prove competitive with luck from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.15.
4:20 p.m. R8 6 Baronet (6 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Opie Bosson; he settled and remained back in the Open Handicap 1300 metres here on 26 July, and drops in grade for the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. He has been sharpened up by a hurdle trial in July, and all three wins over 1200 metres on heavy ground - he’s drawn the ace but meets a strong field. Fixed odds: $27.00 & $6.50.
Riccarton:
Weather: overcast, track: Heavy9, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast Friday and 5mls rain Saturday.
4:46 p.m. R10 6 Our Milly Bee (6 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Kate Hercock; she lost her handy position on the inner before running home in the fastest last 600m (39.5) for fourth in the Rating 65 & Jumpers 2000 metres on 3 July at Ashburton. She’s been given time (37 days) since a close second here on 21 June, and contesting the $35,000 Rating 65 1800 metres, she’s racing well and rates a top three chance - one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $3.00.
4:46 p.m. R10 8 Can’t Kach Me (6 m Tavistock – Kachina) – Leah Hemi; she closed well from beyond midfield in the Rating 65 & Jumpers 2000 metres on 3 July at Ashburton and she too lines up in the Rating 65 1800m. Also patiently handled and given time (37 days), she was a close third here on 21 June, is racing well but requires luck from her wide draw (16). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $3.00.
Moonee Valley:
Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.
5:20 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:20 p.m. (Vic) R6 9 Samudra (3 f Snitzel – Pippie) – Jamie Melham; she was a very good debut winner of the 2YO 1000 metres on 21 May at Sandown, has been freshened, and looked good in her action when leading throughout in a jump out on 30 July at Caulfield. Resuming in the A$150,000 3YO 1000 metres, she brings good credentials and a terrific pedigree, being out of dual Group One sprint winner Pippie (Written Tycoon) - from barrier one she has definite top three claims. NZ TAB fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.05.
6:35 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:35 p.m. (Vic) R8 4 Savoir Faire (6 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Ryan Houston (a2); he was freshened before running on behind the leaders in the Benchmark 74 1600 metres on 23 July at Sandown, and contests the a$130,000 Benchmark 74 1600 metres. He sports a solid record over the mile and has weight relief to 59.5kg. A previous runner-up on the course over 2040 metres, he is capable of proving competitive. NZ TAB Fixed odds: $41.00 & $9.00.
Main picture - Samudra winning on debut