Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Saturday 1 November at Tauranga, New Zealand, and seven horses entered at Flemington (Melbourne) and Traralgon (Victoria). 

Tauranga: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

11:38 p.m. R1 3 High Roller (4 g Ace High – Miss Thorn) – Opie Bosson; he raced handily and looked to be coming into the race when he was unfortunately galloped on in the Maiden 1200 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Contesting the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres, he has shown ability and receives an opportunity to improve as long as Opie can neutralise his tricky gate (9). Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

12:09 p.m. R2 19 Hostility (3 c I Am Invincible – Shillelagh) – Opie Bosson; he got back to last, and was unfortunately carted wide almost off the track by a horse to his inside just as he was improving around the home turn - yet he still ran the fastest last 600m (35.7) in the Maiden 1200 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Contesting the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres, he followed his debut second when runner up in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), won by stable-mate La Dorada, and he warrants favouritism if he makes the field. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.20. 

12:41 p.m. R3 7 Marokopa Falls (3 f Hellbent – Beside You) – Opie Bosson; she raced three back on the inner and ran home in the fastest last 600m (35.2) for fourth when resuming in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 10 October at Taupo. Contesting the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres, she debuted with an excellent victory and fthen inished fourth to stable-mate La Dorada in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) last season, but she’s copped a nasty draw (11) and will need a whole lot to go her way.  Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.20.

1:15 p.m. R4 1 Malmaison (5 g Darci Brahma – Altai Rose) – Opie Bosson; he got back and was unable to quicken on Heavy9 footing when resuming in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 27 September at Te Rapa. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, he won four times up to 1200 metres in last campaign, was course/distance placed at his only attempt to date but is yet another who has bombed out in the barrier department (14). Fixed odds: $18.00 & $4.60.

1:50 p.m. R5 12 Zantabulous (6 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she travelled easily in fourth, ranged up rounding the home turn, and ran home well for third in a trial on 9 October at Waipa. Resuming in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres after a long lay-off, she enjoys weight relief to 52kg, and has recorded three wins to 1600 metres. She was fourth at only her only previous course attempt, and this is an ideal starting point for this showy grey mare to commence in encouraging fashion from barrier five. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.70.

3:09 p.m. R7 2 Wild Night (6 g Vanbrugh – Supreme) – Opie Bosson; he ran on well from last when resuming in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 10 October at Taupo, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres. Amongst he eight career wins, he has been a victor at Group Two & Listed level, as well as being Group 1 placed. A previous course/distance winner, he has first four claims from barrier five and a win would not surprise. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

3:50 p.m. R8 2 He Who Dares (3 c Snitzel – Rondinella) – Opie Bosson; he resumed with a strong performance for a very close second in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on 6 September at Ellerslie, and contests the rescheduled $150,000 Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m). Impressive winning on debut, he was then second in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper over 1200m, and fifth in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes last season won by stablemate Return To Conquer. He looked good in a recent exhibition gallop, is a very genuine performer, and has the talent to earn further black type in this from barrier five. Fixed odds: $3.10 & $1.55.

5:50 p.m. R11 1 Accidental Tourist (6 g Telperion – Megara) – Opie Bosson; he was doing his best work through the line from last in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 12 October at Rotorua, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. He brings a record of four wins to 1600 metres, has been course/distance placed at only attempt, and is perfectly drawn (3) to race well in what has shaped up as a solid field. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.  

5:50 p.m. R11 6 El Viento (5 g El Roca – Mandeville) – Warren Kennedy; he found the line belatedly after racing wide when resuming in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 6 September at Ellerslie, and ran on without threatening in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 12 October at Rotorua. Also taking his place in the Rating 75 1600 metres, he is a capable type but the draw (20) makes this a tough ask. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70. 

Flemington:

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

3:40 p.m. (NZ) - 1:40 p.m. (Vic) R3 9 Geegees Mistruth (4 m Wordsmith – Miss Mana) – Craig Williams; she dashed home from last in the fastest last 600m (33.3) to finish second when having her first start for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker in the Group 2 Herald Sun Sprint (1000m) on 18 October at Caulfield. Contesting the A$240,000 Group 3 G. H. Mumm Rising Fast Stakes over 1200m, she has notched up six wins to 1400 metres from only 13 starts, and will benefit if wide draws (11) prove advantageous on the day. NZ TAB fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.10.

4:40 p.m. (NZ) - 2:40 p.m. (Vic) R4 10 Crismera (3 f Frankel – Dice Game) – Daniel Stackhouse; she travelled handily and finished well for third in the Maiden 1744 metres on 8 October at Sale. Contesting the $300,000 Group 3 HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes (2000m), she is bred to stay, being by the highest rated sire in the world, Frankel (Galileo). She’s also out of an unraced mare by Champion Sire Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway), so pedigree says she will handle the trip however she faces sharp rise in class. NZ TAB fixed odds: $51.00 & $6.80.

6:20 p.m. (NZ) - 4:20 p.m. (Vic) R7 7 Azazel (3 g Shocking – Alagant Angel) – Michael Dee; he made it two wins from three starts when claiming the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) last Thursday (23 Oct.) at Geelong, a traditional lead-up to the Derby. He is one of a stable duo contesting the A$2 million Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby (2500m). He has the pedigree to handle the distance, but is required to cope with a quick back-up, and certainly meets a tougher field - one of a stable duo in the race. NZ TAB fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.00.

6:20 p.m. (NZ) - 4:20 p.m. (Vic) R7 15 Mcwoody (3 c Alabama Express – Queen Ouija) – Jamie Melham; he surged through late for a debut victory in the Maiden 1590 metres on 16 September at Wodonga, and fought hard after circling from back in the field for close fifth in the Group 3 Sportsbet Classic (2000m) on 18 October at Caulfield. Alos lining up in the Howden Victoria Derby, he faces a tough assignment and has been dealt a blow in his quest by the wide barrier (16).  NZ TAB fixed odds: $61.00 & $11.00.

7:00 p.m. (NZ) - 5:00 p.m. (Vic) R8 4 Damask Rose (4 m Savabeel – Sombreuil) – Blake Shinn; she received no room from midfield inner and found line belatedly in the Toorak Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 11 October at Caulfield. Contesting the $1m TAB Empire Rose Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m), she won the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) and $3.5m NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) last season in New Zealand, four-time winner to 1600 metres, over $2.2m in prize money, classy, and competitive with luck from barrier nine. NZ TAB fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20.

Traralgon:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. 5mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday.

3:16 p.m. (NZ) - 1:16 p.m. (Vic) R1 4 Astari (3 g Starspangledbanner – Belzella) – Lachlan King; he ran home well from wide trip for second in jump out on 20 October at Cranbourne, and resumes in the $32,000 Maiden 1100 metres. Dam Belzella (Bel Esprit) won four times to 1200 metres and Group Three placed over 1000 metres, and opportunity to commence with solid showing from barrier five. 

4:04 p.m. (NZ) - 2:04 p.m. (Vic) R2 10 Titahi Bay (3 f Spirit Of Boom – Aotearower) – Luke Cartwright (a); she pushed up to trail and sustained solid finish for third in the Maiden 1206 metres on 26 September at Ballarat. Contesting the $32,000 Maiden 1430 metres, two thirds from three starts, pedigree to appreciate increased distance, and rates a top four chance.