Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Saturday 16 May: Ellerslie and Otaki, New Zealand; one horse entered at Flemington, Melbourne, and one entered at Wodonga (Victoria).

Ellerslie: 

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

12:57 p.m. R2 1 War Of Succession (5 g Tavistock – Ziffel) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he raced well for third in the Rating 75 1560 metres on 22 April at Rotorua, also with Hayley aboard, and contests the $40,000 Rating 75 2100 metres. He ran home well when resuming here over 1500 metres the start prior, and he’s notched up three wins on this course including over 2100 metres with Hayley again up.  The weight relief to 57.5kg will aid his chances, and he rates a top three prospect from barrier four. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.90.

2:10 p.m. R4 3 Pokuru Gold (5 g Darci Brahma – Pokuru Nugget) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he closed strongly for third following an economical trip on the inner when resuming in the Open Handicap 1200 metres, won by stable-mate Charmrose here on 18 April, and contests the $45,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres. He’s put together a good record of five wins to 1200 metres from 10 starts,  with two from three on the course, so a more than decent winning strike rate. A big, scopey boy, second up today he will strip fitter, and is capable of delivering a top three finish. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.

2:44 p.m. R5 2 King’s English (3 c Snitzel – English) – Masa Hashizume; he was never really clear when finding line in the Group 2 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), won by stable-mate Drops Of Gold, on 25 April at Te Rapa, where nothing really went his way. Lining up in the $40,000 3YO 1100 metres, he has been an impressive dual winner, including a 3YO 1200 metre event here in January, he’s drawn barrier one and in a strong field, he will be flashing home as a first four contender. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.05.

3:19 p.m. R6 2 Egyptian Queen (5 m Zoustar – Hieroglyphics) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she raced well for close a fifth to stable-mate Charmrose in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here on 18 April, and drops in grade for the $40,000 Rating 75 1100 metres. A good Rating 75 winner in February over 1200 metres, she carries the same weight (58kg), is in good form, and possesses the ability to prove competitive from barrier two. She’s something of a miracle lass, having almost lost an eye last season, her owners were so patient and supportive through her long lay-off, so it is truly heartwarming to see her happy and well, and back enjoying her racing. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

Otaki: 

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

2:36 p.m. R5 6 Legally Binding (4 g Exceedance – Legal Eagle) – Triston Moodley (a1); he was unable to quicken out of midfield in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 25 April at Te Rapa, and contests the $40,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres. Two starts ago he lifted in a driving three-way finish to win a Rating 75 1200 metres on 18 March at Waverley, he’s recorded three wins over 1200 metres, and this is a great opportunity for him to bouncer back to that form from barrier two. Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.50.

3:11 p.m. R6 5 Sense of Timing (5 m Time Test – Pin Up Lae) – Triston Moodley (a1); she remained back when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 25 April at Te Rapa, and contests the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. A tow-time winner to 1500 metres, she has been stakes’ placed three times, and does have the ability to show a marked improvement from barrier two. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

3:46 p.m. R7 7 Talisker (5 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Courtney Barnes; he resumed with a terrific victory in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 25 April at Te Rapa, arguably a distance short of his best fresh up, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $80,000 Listed James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup over the mile. A former Champion SI 3YO of the Year, he’s recorded five wins and and has been Group 1 placed to 1600 metres, he brings winning form, and shapes to race well in a good field - only frustration being his wide draw (16). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.60.

3:46 p.m. R7 14 Zantabulous (6 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Triston Moodley (a); she was claimed on the line by subsequent Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m) winner Lupo Solitario after quickening through to lead in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 20 March at Pukekohe. Up in class for the Listed James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup, she’s a striking grey mare who is racing in career best form, and she is more than capable of proving competitive in good field, and the track conditions should be to her liking, even if rain did arrive. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.45. 

Flemington:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast. 

1:15 p.m. (NZ time) R1 2 Meness (2 c Ghaiyyath – Snitzel’s Moon) – Craig Williams; he remained resolute after leading to win a trial on 23 April at Caulfield, also with Williams aboard, and debuts in the A$150,000 2YO 1400 metres. By four-time Group 1 winner and 2020 World Champion Ghaiyyath (Dubawi), he hails from a solid stakes’ winning family, but hasn’t had the rub of the green draw wise (14) which makes it tough on debut. NZ TAB fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.30. 

Wodonga:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:46 p.m. (NZ) - 12:46 p.m. (Vic) R1 6 Rainsun (3 g The Autumn Sun – Raindrops On Roses) – Cory Parish; he quickened after leading to finish a good second in a trial on 30 April at Caulfield, and debuts in the A$32,000 Maiden 1590 metres. Beautifully bred, he is a direct descendant of Melbourne Cup winner Let’s Elope (Nassipour), his dam Raindrops On Roses (High Chaparral) won four races 2000m – 2500m, and he shapes to race well first-up subject to getting some luck in the running from his sticky barrier (10). 

Main picture - Egyptian Queen winning