Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Saturday 13 September at Riccarton, Christchurch, New Zealand and one horse at Donald, Victoria.

Riccarton: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 6 metres to 1000m, remainder out 10 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:15 p.m. R1 11 War Of Silence (3 c Snitzel – Silent Sedition) – Opie Bosson; he was caught three-wide in the open but ran on solidly for a second in trial on 5 August at Te Rapa, also with Bosson aboard. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres, he is by four-time, late Champion Sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), out of Group 1 William Reid Stakes winner Silent Sedition (War Chant), who included four Group Three wins from 1400m – 1800m. He has to be respected as a top three chance at his first race day outing. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50.

12:49 p.m. R2 1 Hooray For Harry (4 g Harry Angel – Here We Come) – Opie Bosson; he was held up behind runners when resuming in the Rating 65 1000 metres here on 30 August, with Bosson aboard on that occasion too, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He continued his good form with two second placings following a deserved victory here over 1200 metres last season, is a genuine performer, and watch him to be charging home. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.45. 

2:05 p.m. R4 6 Our Milly Bee (6 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Opie Bosson; as she heads for her future as a broodmare, she finished solidly from back in the field for third in the Rating 65 1800 metres here on 30 August, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 2000 metres. She continues to race well and is well positioned to make an impact from barrier six in what is potentially her swan-song. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.60. 

3:22 p.m. R6 1 Perfect Scenario (8 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Hayley Hassman (a3); the stable’s senior statesman, he finished sixth but had more to offer when resuming in the Open Handicap 1000 metres here on 30 August, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres. He is winner of 11 races including four here at Riccarton, with three from five over 1200 metres, enjoys weight relief to 59.5kg with our stable apprentice aboard, and is always competitive in this class. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.05. 

3:58 p.m. R7 1 Cool Aza Rene (3 f Cool Aza Beel – Irene) – George Rooke; the first of three runners in the feature, she did everything right in front before being claimed near line by stable-mate Belle Du Monde (below) when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres here on 30 August, and contests the $80,000  Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). She won four of five starts as a two-year-old last season,  was last night crowned South Island Champion 2YO, and is a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.40. 

3:58 p.m. R7 4 Belle Du Monde (3 f Zoustar – Lady Cartier) – Opie Bosson; the second for the team in the filly’s feature, she unleashed off the trail with big strides to claim the victory over stable-mate Cool Aza Rene (above) when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres here on 30 August, and also contests the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes. She finished second in her first two starts at Ellerslie, and  was spelled following the Karaka Millions 2YO won by stable-mate La Dorada (Super Seth). She is a definite top three chance from barrier two. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.25. 

3:58 p.m. R7 6 Best Rose (3 f Maurice – Queen’s Legacy) – Courtney Barnes; the last of the Te Akau trio, she displayed plenty of grit to finish third off a wide trip when resuming in the Rating 65 1000 metres here on 30 August, and likewise contests the NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes. She raced clear to win by three lengths in the 2YO 1000 metres here on 19 February, was spelled following the Listed Welcome Stakes, has speed to race in or near the lead, and has first four claims. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.70. 

4:37 p.m. R8 2 Cognito (6 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Opie Bosson; he resumed with a terrific victory in the Open Handicap 1580 metres here on 30 August, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1800 metres. A Group Two winner over 1400 metres, he has been a two-time course winner to 1580 metres and was runner-up in the Listed War Decree Stakes (1600m).  He is a top three chance from the handy barrier four. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.25. 

5:12 p.m. R9 3 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Opie Bosson; she was denied room before finishing strongly for fourth in the Rating 75 1400 metres here (poly-track) on 21 August, also with Bosson aboard, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. She sustained a strong finish on Heavy10 to win the Rating 75 1400 metres here on 2 August, brings solid course/distance credentials to the contest, and is another ideally drawn (4) to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.25. 

Donald:

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

4:46 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:46 p.m. (Vic) R3 12 Mcwoody (3c Alabama Express – Queen Ouija) – Liam Riordan; he ran home well for third in a 1400-metre jump out on 1 September at Cranbourne, won by stable-mate Azazel (Shocking) who debuted with victory on 11 September at Seymour. Debuting in the A$32,000 Maiden 1620 metres, likely to get back from wide draw (16) and look to find the line.

Main picture: Belle Du Monde & Cool Aza Rene at Riccarton