Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Saturday 13 December at Te Rapa in Hamilton, New Zealand, and two horses entered at Pakenham, Victoria.

Te Rapa:  

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

12:25 p.m. R1 1 La Dorada (3 f Super Seth – Gold Fever) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she returns from two unplaced runs during the Spring in Australia, looked good in an exhibition gallop also with Hassman aboard last Sunday at Te Aroha, and resumes in the $65,000 3YO 1200 metres. The 2025 RL Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner and Champion Two-Year-Old last season, she was a course winner on debut, enjoys weight relief to 56.5kg, and is ready to make her mark back on Kiwi soil. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.30.

12:25 p.m. R1 2 To Bravery Born (3 g Snitzel – Milunka) – Opie Bosson; the second of the stable duo contesting the first race on Cup Day, he spelled following the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) on Heavy10 in August. Retunring to training, he closed solidly for third in a trial on 18 November at Waipa, had an exhibition gallop on 29 November at Ellerslie, and resumes in the 3YO 1200 metres. Unbeaten in three starts fresh-up, he rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $1.95. 

12:59 p.m. R2 4 Sword Of Stars (2 f Sword Of State – Angelica Hall) – Craig Grylls; she has been given time (49 days) and patiently handled since finishing second on debut in the 2YO 1100 metres at Ellerslie, and contests the $65,000 2YO 1100 metres. She has a great connection to the stable, being by Champion Two-Year-Old Sword Of State (Snitzel), out of a dual winning mare, both Te Akau trained, and in the case of her sire, also purchased by David Ellis. From terrific family, she’s a beautifully athletic filly who is expected to race up to her looks. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.35. 

2:52 p.m. R5 1 Qali Al Farrasha (5 m Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Opie Bosson; she was back to her very best when extending clear to easily win the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes over 1400m on 22 November at Pukekohe, and contests the $175,000 Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m). Four times Group One placed, she is also course/distance placed, and a bold showing is anticipated. Fixed odds: $1.80 & $1.10.

3:27 p.m. R6 1 Captured By Love (4 m Written Tycoon – Moldova) – Opie Bosson; she showed class is permanent with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on 8 November at Riccarton, and looked good in her action through the line when finishing second in a trial on 26 November at Te Aroha. Contesting the $120,000 Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m), she won the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) last season, is a high quality multiple Group winner, and is a top three prospect if Opie successfully navigates her tricky gate (10).  Fixed odds: $6.90 & $2.45.

4:02 p.m. R7 11 When Stars Align (4 g Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Opie Bosson; he led throughout when resuming with victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 15 November at Tauranga, has been given time (28 days), and contests the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He meets a much stronger field as he steps up in grade, but he is ideally drawn (3), brings winning form and deserves this opportunity. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

4:37 p.m. R8 3 Midnight Blue (9 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Craig Grylls; he ran on well from last in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) on 22 November at Pukekohe, and contests the $140,000 Group 3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m). The winner of seven races (1600m – 2400m), he is a Group and Listed winner, and carries a lightweight which he will appreciate but he requires luck from his wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.   

Pakenham:

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft5, rail: out 2 metres. Showers forecast Saturday.

2:45 p.m. (NZ) - 12:45 p.m. (Vic) R2 11 Jealous (5 m Nicconi – Jujube) – Ryan Houston (a2); she continued her solid form with a close fourth in the Benchmark 66 2580 metres on 5 December at Cranbourne, and contests the A$100,000 Benchmark 78 2500 metres. She was course/distance placed two starts ago and has the benefit of weight relief to 52kg and while she meets a strong field, she’s racing well and is drawn (5) to receive an economical trip. NZ TAB fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.00.

4:30 p.m. (NZ) - 2:30 p.m. (Vic) R5 2 Jenni’s Meadow (4 m Brutal – Meadow) – Luke Cartwright (a2); she struck deteriorating track conditions when getting back and running on in the Benchmark 84 1600 metres on 8 November at Flemington, and contests the A$80,000 Benchmark 78 2000 metres. She was the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) winner, and has been a Group Two & Three runner-up over 2000 metres - with weight relief to 59kg, she’s looking to improve but requires luck from wide draw (12). NZ TAB fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.90.

Main picture - Qali Al Farrasha winning