Te Akau Trans Tasman Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Sunday 15 June at Matamata, New Zealand, and five horses entered at Terang (Victoria) and Wangaratta (Victoria).

Matamata:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

1:23 p.m. R1 14 Vickezzlastcall (3 f Wrote – Vickezzchardonnay) – Michael McNab; she began well to position handily, saving ground into the straight, and then ran home well to photo-finish for third in a trial on 9 June at Ellerslie. Debuting in the $17,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, she is the half-sister to Te Akau trained, triple stakes’ winner Aromatic (Sacred Falls). It’s a family that handles yielding ground, and she can debut with credit if she can secure a decent trip from the difficult outside draw (14). Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

1:40 p.m. R5 4 Charmrose (4 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose) – George Rooke; one of two lining up  for the team in this event, she was claimed on the line (second) after leading in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 25 May at Ellerslie, and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She broke 1:10 when winning a Maiden 1200 metres three starts ago, and has placed in both starts on this, her home track. She has won a trial on Heavy10 going, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.55.

1:40 p.m. R5 8 Viva Glam (3 f Savabeel – Style By Design) – Michael McNab; she put it all together when racing clear on a Heavy9 track to win the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres here on 14 May (main picture), has been patiently handled and given time (32 days), and also contests the Rating 65 1200 metres. She has shown a liking for her home course, brings winning form to this race, and also is capable of a top three finish. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.45.

2:13 p.m. R6 14 Sybaris (3 f Magna Grecia – Ocean Fleet) – Ace Lawson-Carroll (a1); she finished second in a quiet trial on 16 May at Cambridge (poly-track), and tired after leading when resuming on Heavy10 in the Maiden 3YO 1600 metres on 31 May at Te Rapa. She has previously won a trial on Heavy10 footing, the progeny of her sire handled heavy ground, and she will be looking to show improvement in the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO & Up Fillies and Mares 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.

3:24 p.m. R8 1 Altari (3 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – George Rooke; he ran the fastest last 600m (34.9), after getting back, when finishing fifth in the 3YO 1400 metres on 24 May at Te Rapa, and drops in class for the $17,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He has been a course/distance winner at his sole attempt and is racing well. While he certainly has the ability to threaten in this field, much depends on him being able to handle the prevailing track conditions. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.35. 

Terang:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:50 p.m. (NZ) ~ 12:50 p.m. (Vic) R1 3 Dreamflight (6 g Frankel – Dream Peace) – Jordan Hart (a3); ran on well for fourth after being patiently ridden in the Maiden Hurdle (3500m) on 18 May at Casterton, with Hart aboard, and contests the $35,000 Maiden Hurdle (3200m). Group Three and Listed winner over 1600 metres in France, before transferring to Australia, improved for two hurdles assignments, weight relief to 66.5kg, and shapes to be competitive. NZ TAB fixed odds: $35.00 & $5.00.

3:30 p.m. (NZ) ~ 1:30 p.m. (Vic) R2 9 Prismatic (6 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Will Gordon; chased well for second to stable-mate The Mighty Spar (below) in the Ecycles Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m) on 18 May at Casterton, with Gordon aboard, and contests the $35,000 Maiden Steeplechase (3200m). Comes off consecutive seconds, very jumps record, and rates a top three chance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.45.

4:10 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:10 p.m. (Vic) R3 1 The Mighty Spar (7 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Steven Pateman; jumped flawlessly when making it two from two on the course in the Ecycles Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m) on 18 May at Casterton, with Pateman aboard, and contests the $50,000 Bill Roycroft Steeplechase (3200m). Winner of four jumps races, appears in terrific form, and rates a top three chance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.30.

Wangaratta:

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

3:50 p.m. (NZ) ~ 1:50 p.m. (Vic) R6 3 Eagle Angel (4 g Gleneagles – Angel Terrace) – Luke Cartwright (a1); finished fifth following economical trip when making Australian debut in the Benchmark 64 1600 metres on 20 May at Kilmore, and contests the $35,000 Benchmark 64 2000 metres. Three prior starts had produced a win over 1900 metres and second over 2400 metres on poly-tracks in Britian, and receives opportunity to improve up in trip. NZ TAB fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.40.   

6:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:15 p.m. (Vic) R10 12 Adelante (3 f Swiss Ace – Progression, by All Too Hard) – Daniel Moor; took time to settle, but not far away when finishing fourth fresh-up in the Benchmark 64 1200 metres on 9 May at Cranbourne. Given time (35 days), comfortably won jump out after leading on 2 June at Cranbourne, and contests the $35,000 Benchmark 64 1170 metres. She impressively won her second start earlier this season in New Zealand, beating subsequent four-time winner Penman (Contributer), and ability to rate a top four chance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40.