Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Saturday 27 December at New Plymouth, New Zealand, and two horses entered at Cranbourne, Victoria.

New Plymouth:  

Weather: showery, track: Soft5, rail: out 7 metres. Showers forecast for 27 December.

12:45 p.m. R1 9 Summer In London (3 f Savabeel – Summer School) – Bruno Queiroz; she worked forward from the widest draw to post outside the leader, was collared at the 250m point but still sustained a good effort to finish among minor placings in a trial on 9 December at Pukekohe. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1800 metres, her dam won over 2460 metres in the UK, and she has the opportunity to commence her racing career with an encouraging performance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.90.

1:55 p.m. R3 14 Novelette (3 f Cool Aza Beel – Fiction) – Bruno Queiroz; she steadied to last from the outside gate on a genuine pace, was 10 lengths away from the leading pack at the 600m, switched to  the rail and ran home strongly for fourth in a trial on 9 December at Pukekohe. Resuming in the $18,500 Maiden 1100 metres, she trialled well before racing as two-year-old, is a more mature filly now, and the patient handling aims to give her every chance to resume in a positive fashion from barrier one. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40. 

3:05 p.m. R5 14 Passion ‘N’ Pride (3 f Darci Brahma – Sweet Hunter) – Bruno Queiroz; she began well from barrier one to lead and then settled in the trail, came off the rail rounding the home turn, overcame some bumping at the 400m, and ran home well for a close third in trial on 9 December at Pukekohe. Debuting in the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses), her dam won twice over 1400 metres, and her patient ownership team is looking forward to her kicking off her racing career a good showing from barrier six - the first of two in the race for the stable. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.45.

3:05 p.m. R5 17 Dujardin (3 f Hello Youmzain – Equestrienne) – Bruno Queiroz; she got back last from the outside gate, was five lengths off them at the 600m, quickened through the middle to lead at the 250m and drew out for a smart win in a trial on 9 December at Pukekohe. Resuming in the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses), she is developing a good record, is from a gifted family, and presents as a genuine top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.55.

Cranbourne:

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

5:10 p.m. (NZ) - 3:10 p.m. (Vic) R6 8 Signoretti (3 g Hello Youmzain – I Am Grande) – Liam Riordan; he capped three placed efforts with a strong win in the Maiden 1450 metres on 22 November at Tatura, and received cover in fourth and ran home well for a close up third in the Benchmark 64 3YO 1600 metres on 3 December at Caulfield. Contesting the A$150,000 Benchmark 70 3YO 1400 metres, he handled the rise in grade, is a consistent performer, and can prove competitive with a decent trip from barrier eight. NZ TAB fixed odds: $23.00 & $5.00.

5:45 p.m. (NZ) - 3:45 p.m. (Vic) R7 8 Jenni’s Meadow (4 m Brutal – Meadow) – Jeff Stanley; she got back from her wide draw (12), improved at the 1000m, and ran home solidly in tight quarters for seventh in the Benchmark 78 2000 metres on 13 December at Pakenham. Contesting the A$150,000 Benchmark 100 2025 metres, she was the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) winner, has been Group Two & Three runner-up over 2000 metres, and looks nicely positioned to deliver another solid performance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.60.