Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Saturday 18 April at Ellerslie, Auckland and one horse entered at Mornington, Victoria.

Ellerslie: 

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft6, rail: true. 8mls rain forecast Saturday.

12:44 p.m. R1 2 Altari (4 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Michael McNab; he raced well for third in the South Waikato Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) on 11 March at Matamata, and is one of two stable runners contesting the $45,000 Rating 75 2100 metres. It was a really good effort stepping up to middle-distance for first time at Matamata, and we thinks he is well positioned to give a good account of himself here. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.90.

12:44 p.m. R1 7 Crown Princess (4 m Embellish – Princess Davone) – Craig Grylls; she fought well for third on Heavy10 footing in the Rating 75 2200 metres on 28 March at Te Aroha, and also contests the Rating 75 2100 metres. She finished second the start prior in the South Waikato Cup on 11 March at Matamata, and has delivered two wins but on good footing. She had a long time away after a serious float injury en route to the races so having her back racing again is our miracle and it’s great to see her healthy and well and she should not be overlooked here.  Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10. 

1:18 p.m. R2 12 Thumbelina (3 f Per Incanto – Matauri) – Craig Grylls; she made it look easy winning the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 13 March at Pukekohe, also with Craig aboard, and contests the $45,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She goes up in grade following her impressive win and from barrier three expect a bold showing. Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.90.

1:54 p.m. R3 1 Out Of The Blue (2 g Tivaci – Cornflower Blue) – Opie Bosson; he got back last, was six lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and closed the margin in the home straight with an eye-catching finish for second in a trial here on 7 April. Contesting the $100,000 Listed SkyCity Star Way Stakes over 1200m, he finished second in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) on 14 February at Matamata, after blowing the start in the Karaka Million s 2YO.  He still finished seventh in that race, with the best final sectionals of the field - he won his first two starts impressively, has been up to the best two-year-olds this season and despite his tricky draw, expect him to feature strongly. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.75. 

2:29 p.m. R4 3 Pokuru Gold (5 g Darci Brahma – Pokuru Nugget) – Opie Bosson; the second in this race for the team, he steadied back on the inner from barrier one on a genuine pace, was positioned eight lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and ran on solidly near the rail for fourth in trial on 24 March at Avondale, never put under any pressure. Resuming in the $55,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, he’s recorded five wins to 1200 metres from nine starts, and has won both course attempts.  He’s been a work in progress with sounds issues but from barrier one, the first of a stable quartet, he can make an impact on this field first up for sure. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

2:29 p.m. R4 7 Charmrose (5 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose) – Craig Grylls; one tough cookie, she refused to lie down after leading when winning the Rating 75 1200 metres on 20 March at Pukekohe, and is the second of our runners in the Open Handicap 1200 metres. With a record of four wins to 1200 metres, she boasts good course stats, and brings the right form to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.90. 

2:29 p.m. R4 9 Egyptian Queen (5 m Zoustar – Hieroglyphics) – Masa Hashizume; she was unable to quicken after racing wide near the pace in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 14 March at Tauranga, and also lines up in the Open Handicap 1200 metres. She has raced well on course previously, including a gutsy third in Group 3 Almanzor Trophy over 1200m, and she’s more than capable of proving competitive from her handy draw (5). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.90.

2:29 p.m. R4 10 Celestial Wonder (4 m Xtravagant – Meteoric Lass) – Courtney Barnes; our final competitor in the Open Handicap 1200m, she began well to travel near the lead, was centre track in straight, and ran on strongly for second in a trial on 24 March at Avondale, also with Courtney in the sddle, who knows her well. Another fresh up, she’s a talented mare who has notched up three wins and three seconds from eight starts, is stakes' placed, brings a good course/distance record, and is ideally drawn (2) to deliver a dividend. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.20. 

3:40 p.m. R6 10 Fortune Cookie (3 f Proisir – Savsensation) – Craig Grylls; she raced clear out of midfield to win the Maiden 2YO & Up 1600 metres on 1 April at Pukekohe in impressive style, also with the country’s leading jockey aboard, and steps up in the $120,000 Group 3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m). One of two fillies in the race for the stable, she won really well and is a top three contender if she appreciates the extra distance - she certainly deserves her opportunity. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.20.

3:40 p.m. R6 13 She Suits Herself (3 f Savile Row – Sleepy Girl) – Masa Hashizume; the second starter for the stable in this feature, she capped solid form with deserving victory in the Maiden 2100 metres on 13 March at Pukekohe, and steps up in the Group 3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes. The distance, which she is proven over, holds no fears as does any rain.  She already has earned black type, being runner up in the Listed Oaks Prelude over 1800m, and she’s drawn nicely (5), expect her to race well.  Fixed odds: $18.00 & $4.80.

4:15 p.m. R7 13 Top Shelf (4 m Savabeel – Saoirse) – Masa Hashizume; she found plenty to win the Rating 75 1600 metres on Champions Day (7 March) and closed strongly for second in the Rating 75 1500 metres on 4 April, both here at Ellerslie. Stepping up in the $150,000 Group 3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m), this talented mare is already stakes’ placed, and brings right form to prove competitive but she has been somewhat stung by a tricky gate (14) - the only concern.  Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.70.

4:50 p.m. R8 2 Dream Of The Moon (4 m All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Opie Bosson; she finished well for fourth in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 20 March at Pukekohe, and drops in grade for the $45,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. A course/distance runner-up at her prior two starts, she was impressive winning the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) last season, in fact she’s been stakes ‘placed three times 1100m – 1400m, and from barrier one she’s ready to bounce back to winning form despite the weight allocation. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.40. 

Mornington:

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

3:30 p.m. (NZ) - 1:30 p.m. (Vic) R4 5 Chateau Eze (3 f Frankel – Antibes) – Daniel Stackhouse; she raced well after receiving cover three-wide near the pace when resuming in the A$150,000 Three-Year-Old Fillies 1200 metres on 4 April at Caulfield, also with the former stable apprentice aboard, and contests the corresponding event. A winner over 1200 metres, she was stakes’ placed earlier in the season, and ideally drawn (4) to prove competitive. NZ TAB fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.85. 

Main picture - Altari winning