Te Akau Trans-Tasman Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has two horses entered on Sunday 3 August at Awapuni (poly-track) - Opie’s back - and two horses entered at Sandown, Victoria.

Awapuni:

Weather: raining, track: poly-track, rail: true.

3:11 p.m. R6 2 Colonel Warden (3 g Russian Revolution – Moralto) – Opie Bosson; he quickened clear to win his first poly-track start in the Rating 60 1400 metres here on 8 June, and raced okay when jumping up in grade to the Rating 92 1300 metres on 10 July at Cambridge (poly-track). Contesting the $25,000 Rating 67 1400, he has shown that he can handle this track and deserves respect as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.35 & $1.15.

3:42 p.m. R7 3 Stonybreck (5 g Tavistock – Fair Isle) – Opie Bosson; he did well from a handy position for second in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 28 June at Ruakaka, has been given time (36 days), and contests the $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (Special Conditions, 1400m). Six of  his seven career wins have come on poly-tracks, he is proven on the course, and he has the ability and the right jockey to navigate the disadvantage of his wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.00.   

Sandown:

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

4:20 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:20 p.m. (Vic) R4 3 The Mighty Spar (7 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – William McCarthy; he remained unbeaten in four course attempts when winning the Moredun Hill Steeplechase (3800m) last Sunday at Casterton, and contests the A$250,000 Ecycle Solutions Grand National Hurdle (4200m). Racing in fine fettle, he is among the three highest rated in the field, and on his current form, he will be competitive if he handles the course at his first attempt - one of two in the event for the stable. NZ TAB fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.90. 

4:20 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:20 p.m. (Vic) R4 6 Prismatic (6 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Dean Parker; he followed four consecutive seconds with a third placing in the Adam Lindsay Gordon Maiden Steeplechase (3400m) on 20 July at Hamilton, and also contests the A$250,000 Ecycle Solutions Grand National Hurdle (4200m). He is compiling a very good jumps’ record and is worthy of a start in this prestigious race. NZ TAB fixed odds: $34.00 & $6.00.