Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight  horses entered on Saturday 11 October at Ashburton. 

Ashburton: 

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

12:18 p.m. R1 11 One True King (3 g King’s Legacy – Chicharita) – Vinnie Colgan; he travelled handily from barrier one, was pushed up to stay in touch at the 700m, rallied in the straight and ran home well for third when trialling on 23 September at Te Rapa. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres, he is from first crop of dual Group One winner King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice), and is out of Chicharita (Towkay), who has produced three individual winners of 13 races (1000m – 2000m). He brings good trial form into his race day debut, including a win, but unfortunately he has copped a nasty draw so will require a ton of luck from barrier 15.  Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.60. 

1:23 p.m. R3 13 Shockabella (4 m Shocking – My Isabella) – Bruno Queiroz; she finished fifth over a sprint trip and rolled on strongly in staying fashion past the post when trialling on 16 September at Rotorua. Resuming in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, she has had a few tricks up her sleeve but  has undoubted ability - she won her Maiden over 1800 metres in February at Taupo, but is another who has drawn wide (14) however look for her finding the line strongly. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.10.

2:30 p.m. R5 11 Court Of Appeal (5 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Bruno Queiroz; she resumed with a dominant victory in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 11 September Riccarton (poly-track), also with Queiroz aboard, but extinguished he chances by a very slow beginning in the Rating 75 1580 metres on 27 September at Riccarton. Contesting the $50,000 Open Handicap 2200 metres, she was an easy winner over 1800 metres last season, and is bred to stay. Today is her toughest test to date but she has the advantage of the minimum weight (54kg) and is handily drawn (5). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.45.

3:05 p.m. R6 12 Insatiable (6 g All Too Hard – All Day Baby) – Courtney Barnes; he was steadied back, was clear into the straight, and found the line solidly under his own steam for third in a trial on 29 September at Riccarton. Resuming in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, he has won and raced well fresh, and loves the South Island life. While he meets a solid field, he carries the minimum weight (54kg) and has drawn the pivotal ace. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10. 

3:40 p.m. R7 3 Cognito (6 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Vinnie Colgan; he resumed with a terrific victory in the Open Handicap 1580 metres on 30 August and unleashed an undeniable finish to win the Open Handicap 1800 metres on 13 September, both at Riccarton. Given time (28 days) to freshen, he has really found his form returning south and contests the $50,000 McCrae Painters & Decorators Ashburton Cup (Open Handicap, 1600m). He lines up with a great form line and is posted to give this field a shake from barrier four with the senior rider engaged. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.05.

4:15 p.m. R8 6 Cool Aza Rene (3 f Cool Aza Beel – Irene) – Bruno Queiroz; the first of Te Akau’s trio lining up in the feature, she got back equal last, tracked up widest into the straight and kept closing with a strong finish for second in a trial on 29 September at Riccarton. She finished second there when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres on 30 August and was eighth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) on 13 September. Contesting the $100,000 Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes over 1400m, she won four of her five starts as a two-year-old last season, was crowned SO Champion 2YO and is drawn (3) to be get a cosy run.  Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.60. 

4:15 p.m. R8 7 Belle Du Monde (3 f Zoustar – Lady Cartier) – Vinnie Colgan; the second runner for the team in the main event, she unleashed off the trail to win the 3YO 1000 metres fresh-up on 30 August, before experiencing a chequered run when seventh in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes on 13 September, both at Riccarton. Also contesting the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes, she finished second in her first two starts at Ellerslie, and today finds the opportunity to bounce back with a strong showing from barrier one. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.30.  

4:15 p.m. R8 9 Origin Of Love (3 f Snitzel – Re Edit) – Jasmine Fawcett; the third starter in the feature, she sustained a strong run for victory in the Maiden 1400 metres on 27 September at Riccarton at just her second start. While she steps up in class for the Group 3, her dam Re Edit (Camelot), won three times to 1600 metres and was Group Two placed in Australia, and she shapes to measure up if she can secure a decent passage from barrier eight - her winning jockey retains the mount too. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.90. 

Te Akau has won this race eight times previously

Caulfield:

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

5.50 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:50 p.m. (Vic) R7 10 Damask Rose (4 m Savabeel – Sombreuil) – Jamie Melham; she ran the fastest sectionals for fifth when resuming in the Group Cockram Stakes (1200m) on 30 August and did well from back and wide for a close seventh in the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on 20 September, both here at Caulfield. Contesting the A$1 million Group 1 Hyland Race Colours Toorak Handicap (1600m), she won the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO over 1600m and the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi last season in New Zealand. She is a four-time winner to 1600 metres, has won over $2.2 million in prize money, is undoubtedly a class act, and is drawn (3) for economical trip - it would be great if the forecast rain came ahead of time. NZ TAB fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.90.

Photo - Damask Rose wins the inaugural NZB Kiwi