Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Saturday 22 November at Pukekohe, New Zealand and two horses entered at Tatura, Victoria.

Pukekohe: 

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

1:07 p.m. R3 1 Hakkinen (4 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Hayley Hassman (a3); he crossed from his wide draw (12) to receive a good trip, but was pushed wider rounding home turn, and nevertheless stayed on with determinationfor close sixth in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 4 November at Ellerslie, also with Hassman aboard. Contesting the $75,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, he has been a winner over 1600 metres and was fourth in both the Listed Gingernuts Salver 2100m and Group 2 Avondale Guineas 2100m last season. With the apprentice weight relief to 58.5kg, he is a strong contender for a top three finish, especially from his handy from barrier two. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.10.

1:42 p.m. R4 3 With A Vengeance (2 c Exceed And Excel – Eleusa) – Matt Cameron; he was professional and quickened appreciably to win comfortably on debut in the 2YO 1000 metres on 8 October at Avondale. Contesting the $110,000 Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), a race the stable won last season with subsequent Group 1 winner Return To Conquer, he won both trials prior to his first-up success and from barrier two, will race well. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.10.

2:15 p.m. R5 2 Balance Of Power (5 g Almanzor – Respin) – Craig Grylls; he was held up in the trail before surging through for third in the Rating 75 2200 metres on 11 November at Te Aroha, with Grylls aboard on that occasion too. Contesting the $75,000 Rating 75 2100 metres, he ended his previous campaign winning three of five starts to 2000 metres, and was stakes’ placed on this course as two-year-old. He has been assigned a big weight (60kg) to carry, but can still be in the top four from the ace draw.  Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.90.

2:57 p.m. R6 13 Zantabulous (6 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she finished strongly out of midfield for third when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 1 November at Tauranga, also with Hassman aboard, and contests the $75,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. A beautifully, striking grey mare, who has had her share of issues, she was course/distance placed at her only previous attempt at Pukekohe, delivered a good first-up performance, and rates a top four chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00.

4:07 p.m. R8 4 Qali Al Farrasha (5 m Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Wiremu Pinn; she has been given time (56 days) since the Group 1 Howden Insurance Mile on 27 September at Te Rapa, and contests the $225,000 Group 2 Dunstan Horse Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes 1400m. Placed at her only previous course attempt, she is a high classy mare who is quadruple Group One placed, and  possesses the ability to prove competitive if Wiremu can navigate the awkward gate (10). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

4:43 p.m. R9 3 Midnight Blue (9 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Matt Cameron; the stable’s statesman, he remained back in the Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) on 4 November at Ellerslie, and contests the $170,000 Group 3 Myracehorse Counties Cup 2100m. The winner of seven races (1600m – 2400m), he is also a Group and Listed winner, and is drawn (4) to receive an economical trip - top three finish would not surprise either. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $3.80.  

4:43 p.m. R9 7 5 What You Wish For (5 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Craig Grylls; he didn’t received all favours when closing the margin from back in the field for sixth in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 25 October at Ellerslie, with Grylls aboard, and also contests the Group 3 Counties Cup. A solid Group performer, he is suited stepping up in distance, and we know he has the ability to prove competitive with any luck from wide draw. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.10. 

Tatura:

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

3:06 p.m. (NZ) - 1:06 p.m.  (Vic)R1 3 Signoretti (3 g Hello Youmzain – I Am Grande) – Liam Riordan; he travelled comfortably outside the leader and gained an advantage in straight before finishing second in the Maiden 1462 metres on 31 October at Kilmore. Contesting the A$32,000 Maiden 1450 metres, he brings right form to be a top three contender from barrier five. 

6:41 p.m. (NZ) - 4:41 p.m. (Vic) R7 2 Bright Stripes (5 g Starspangledbanner – Dutch Rose) – Rhys McLeod; he received an economical trip when finishing fifth in a trial on 30 October at Caulfield, and resumes in the A$60,000 bet365 Tatura Cup (1450m). A winner as two and three-year-old in the UK, including Listed Tetrach Stakes over 1600m, he has ability and will be looking to commence a new preparation, now fully acclimatised, with an encouraging performance. 

Main photo - Zantabulous (see how much lighter her coat is today)!