Te Akau Trans Tasman Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Sunday 17 August at Taupo, New Zealand, and four horses entered on Sunday 17 in Victoria: Ballarat and Sale. 

Taupo: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 3 metres. 20mls rain forecast Sunday.

1:15 p.m. R3 10 Carsolio (3 g Bivouac – Whitehaven) – Opie Bosson; he sustained a strong gallop to win a trial on 8 July at Waipa, and ran home solidly for fifth in another trial on 5 August at Te Rapa, both with Bosson aboard. Resuming in the $17,000 Maiden 1000 metres, he brings the ability to perform well when in a fresh state - he is likely to situate in or near the lead from barrier three, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.30.

3:06 p.m. R6 1 To Bravery Born (3 g Snitzel – Milunka) – Opie Bosson; he chased two leaders turning for home and quickened well for second in a trial here on 4 August, also with Bosson aboard on that occasion. Resuming in the $40,000 3YO 1100 metres, he won the first two-year-old race last season in stylish fashion that suggested a bright future ahead. He drew out to win handsomely over 1200 metres at Ellerslie, becoming one of the Karaka Millions 2YO favourites, and he warrants the favouritism he has attracted here too. Fixed odds: $1.80 & $1.10.

3:38 p.m. R7 7 In Haste (3 f Snitzel – Prompt) – Opie Bosson; racing in the TAB Racing Club colours, she sustained a very good run for a close second in a trial on 22 July at Avondale, and finished well with obviously more in tank for fourth in a trial here on 4 August. Resuming in the $40,000 3YO 1100 metres, she finished second and first, respectively, from two starts last season, and looks like she can make a real impact in this field if the track holds up and doesn’t deteriorate too much with the forecast rain.  Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.85.

Ballarat:

Weather: showers, track: Soft6, rail: out 10 metres. No rain forecast.

5:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:15 p.m. (Vic) R6 2 The Mighty Spar (8 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – William McCarthy; remained unbeaten in four course attempts when winning the Moredun Hill Steeplechase (3800m) on 27 July at Casterton, and finished fifth in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) on 3 August at Sandown, also with McCarthy aboard. He is one of three Te Akau representatives contesting the A$400,000 Ecycle Solutions Grand National Steeplechase (4500m), and he brings impeccable fitness levels and terrific form over the bigger fences to this contest.

5:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3: 15 p.m. (Vic) R6 3 Leaderboard (11 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy) – Will Gordon; the second of the stable runners, he chased well from third to finish second in the Great Western Steeplechase (3600m) last Sunday at Coleraine, and also contests the Ecycle Solutions Grand National Steeplechase. He is enjoying similar form to this time last season, when finishing third in the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m), third in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m), and second in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m). He is as honest as the day is long and his two previous starts on the course have resulted in a first and second placing so he is poised to pounce.

5:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:15 p.m. (Vic) R6 6 Prismatic (7 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Jordan Hart; the third of the tangerine trio, he ran well for fourth in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) on 3 August at Sandown, but unfortunately was declared a non-starter after running on the inside of a marker. Prior to that, he followed four consecutive seconds with a third placing in the Adam Lindsay Gordon Maiden Steeplechase (3400m) on 20 July at Hamilton. He boasts a very good jumps’ record and is worthy of his start in this prestigious race. 

Sale:

Weather: showers, track: Soft5, rail: true. Showers forecast.

4:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:15 p.m. (Vic) R4 3 Cinturato (3 g Shamus Award – Pirellina) – Michael Dee; he utilised barrier one to lead before drawing out to easily win a jump out on 4 August at Cranbourne, and debuts in the A$32,000 Maiden 1100 metres. By Australian Champion Three-Year-Old Shamus Award (Snitzel), the first three-year-old to win the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) double. His dam Pirellina (Gio Ponti) won twice over 1600 metres, and she in turn is out of Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) winner Cinque Cento (Nothin’ Leica Dane).  So while his breeding suggests he will appreciate further as his career unfolds, this is an ideal starting point, he’s drawn the ace (1), has the former Te Akau apprentice aboard, and shapes to race well first-up. NZ TAB fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.20. 

Main picture - To Bravery Born winning last season's first 2YO race