Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Saturday 6 December: Pukekohe and Trentham, New Zealand, and one horse entered at Ballarat, Victoria.

Pukekohe:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.  

1:35 p.m. R2 10 Sibling Rivalry (3 f Satono Aladdin – Justlikeyasister) – Wiremu Pinn; she unwound with a strong finish for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 1000 metres on 10 October at Taupo, and drew out to score by one and a half lengths in the Maiden 3YO 1150 metres on 11 November at Te Aroha. Contesting the $55,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she brings good trials’ and race form to this contest and would have to be a bright prospect from barrier three. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.35.

2:42 p.m. R4 15 Altari (4 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Wiremu Pinn; he settled fifth on the inner, six lengths off the leaders at the 600m mark, quickened into the clear at the 300m and ran on solidly for third in trial on 14 November at Avondale. Resuming in the $55,000 Rating 65 1500 metres, he is a well bred son of the multi Champion Sire and has the ability to race well when fresh - he looks a top four chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.40.

5:03 p.m. R8 3 Kabugee (6 g Satono Aladdin – Kabuki) – Hayley Hassman (a3); he began well to travel in third spot, was clear in the straight, and ran on nicely in a tight finish for a close up fifth when trialling on 14 November at Avondale. Resuming in the $55,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, he has recorded five career wins to 1400 metres, has shown he can perform well when fresh, and has the plus of weight relief to 55kg. While he is more than capable of proving competitive, a lot will depend on him navigating the wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $27.00 & $6.50.

Trentham:  

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

5:20 p.m. R9 2 Malmaison (5 g Darci Brahma – Altai Rose) – Craig Grylls; he has been given time (35 days) since finishing sixth when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 1 November at Tauranga, and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He won four times to 1200 metres in his last campaign, and appreciates give in ground, but has been a little headstrong with the barriers. This has been worked on and he is capable of improvement with decent trip from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.90. 

Ballarat:

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft6, rail: true. Showers forecast Saturday. 

4:00 p.m. (NZ) - 2:00 p.m. (Vic) R4 1 Bright Stripes (5 g Starspangledbanner – Dutch Rose) – Luke Cartwright (a2); he remained back when resuming in the Tatura Cup (1450m) on 22 November at Tatura, and contests the A$80,000 Benchmark 74 1600 metres. He was a winner as two and three-year-old in the UK, including a good win in the Listed Tetrach Stakes (1600m), is handily drawn (4), has the benefit of weight relief to 60.5kg, as he looks to deliver an improved effort. NZ TAB fixed odds: $71.00 & $13.00. 

Main picture - Altari winning