Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Saturday 14 March at Tauranga. ?

Tauranga: 

Weather: showery, track: Soft6, rail: true. 4mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday. 

2:53 p.m. R5 8 Egyptian Queen (5 m Zoustar – Hieroglyphics) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she won the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 February at Te Rapa in confident fashion, and did well for second in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 28 February at Matamata, again with Hayley riding. Contesting the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, she drops in weight to a very competitive 53kg, has finished second in two of three course attempts, and is ideally drawn (4) to be a realistic top three chance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.90.

3:28 p.m. R6 7 Queen’s Evidence (3 f King’s Legacy – Enjay) – Masa Hashizume; she easily won the 3YO 1200 metres on 10 January at Wanganui, and then finished fourth in the 3YO 1200 metres on 31 January at Trentham, also with Masa aboard. We have given her time (42 days) between races, and today she lines up in the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres as one of two stablemates contesting the race. She has been twice stakes’ placed over 1200 metres, is a genuine filly, and is more than capable to delivering a top four finish if she overcomes that tricky draw (11) gate. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20. 

3:28 p.m. R6 8 Sibling Rivalry (3 f Satono Aladdin – Justlikeyasister) – Hayley Hassman (a2); the second starter in the 3YO 1200m for the team, she was an impressive winner back to back before lining up in the Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) on 3 January at Trentham, won by stable-mate La Dorada. Since then, she was held together while running home solidly for fifth in trial on 3 March at Taupo. Resuming today, the apprentice engagement brings her weight relief to 54kg, she always displays talent and tenacity, but is another who needs luck from wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20.

4:03 p.m. R7 3 Qali Al Farrasha (5 m Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Michael McNab; she held her position with a solid performance in the Group 1 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) on 21 February at Ellerslie, and contests the $150,000 Group 2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m). A classy lass, she has been four times Group One placed, simply a terrific mare with excellent credentials, and from barrier five, expect her to be right in the thick of the action at the business end. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65. 

4:38 p.m. R8 7 Cease And Desist (3 g Zoustar – No Evidence Needed) – Masa Hashizume; he fought well for third after leading in the 3YO 1600 metres on 28 February at Matamata, and targets the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He was second here in January before winning a Maiden 1600 metres at Matamata, and brings right form to he very competitive from barrier four. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

Caulfield:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 9 metres. No rain forecast.

6:55 p.m. (NZ) - 4:55 p.m. (Vic) R9 9 Cinturato (3 g Shamus Award – Pirellina) – Lachlan Neindorf; he raced clear to win the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 13 February at Cranbourne by 2.5 lengths easing down, with Neindorf aboard on that occasion too.  Since that race, he looked good winning a jump out on 2 March at Cranbourne. Contesting the A$500,000 The IRT VOBIS Platinum Guineas (1600m), he has fashioned the right record to prove competitive but has copped a difficult alley (12) for this assignment up against a strong field. NZ TAB fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.20.  

Main picture - Egyptian Queen winning