Te Akau Trans Tasman Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Sunday 7 December at Te Aroha, New Zealand, and one horse at Werribee (Victoria) and one at Stony Creek (Victoria).

Te Aroha:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 7 metres. No rain forecast.  

12:17 p.m. R1 3 Miss Perna (2 f Satono Aladdin – If Perhaps) – Masa Hashizume; she got back second last and ran home strongly for third when debuting in the 2YO 1100 metres on 8 November at Pukekohe. One of two stable runners ocntesting the $18,500 Maiden 2YO 1150 metres, she harks from an outstanding family of Group One winners, and with some kingcraft on her side, looks a top three chance from barrier four. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.50.

12:17 p.m. R1 5 Lara Antipova (2 f Russian Revolution – Artistic Lass) – Craig Grylls; she began well to situate second on inner, improved to level in front nearing the home turn and had her rivals covered to win a trial on 14 November at Avondale. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 2YO 1150 metres, she is by dual Group One winning sprinter Russian Revolution (Snitzel), the Leading First & Second Season Sire in Australia - she displays natural precocity and also rates a top three chance from barrier three. In this compact field. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.25.

1:32 p.m. R3 7 Stella Ma Bella (3 f Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Craig Grylls; she raced handily and fought hard for third when debuting in the Maiden 1230 metres on 16 November at Rotorua, also with Grylls aboard. Contesting the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, she is the sister to Te Akau purchased and trained Group One winner and million-dollar earner Campionessa. You’d think she would appreciate the increase in distance and from the handy gate (4), can put herself right in the thick of the action. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.45. 

2:08 p.m. R4 9 Perlino (3 f Super Seth – Palomino) – Craig Grylls; she began well to gain cover in third position, travelled well, ranged up to challenge rounding the home turn, and sustained a strong finish to grab the win in a trial on 14 November at Avondale. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, she has been well-educated through trials’ phase, boasts strong bloodlines, and appears capable of bold first-up effort. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.00.

2:43 p.m. R5 4 Cease And Desist (3 g Zoustar – No Evidence Needed) – Opie Bosson; he steadied back from his wide draw, was five lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and sustained a big run down the outside to win a trial on 14 November at Avondale. Resuming in the $18,500 Maiden 1150 metres, he is the half-brother to Group One winning former stable-mate Move To Strike (I Am Invincible), and a repeat of trial performance would see him go very close - one of two in the field for the team. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.

2:43 p.m. R5 12 Drops Of God (3 f Hello Youmzain – Distinctive Lass) – Vinnie Colgan; she steadied to track the leaders on the inner and remained held together on the bridle for fourth in a trial on 14 November at Avondale. Also debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 1150 metres, she is from an illustrious family including Te Akau bought and trained Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas' winner Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma). From her handy barrier (2), she is poised to race well first time to the races. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20. 

3:18 p.m. R6 4 Fury Of Flight (3 g Zoustar – Ready To Soar) – Opie Bosson; he was steadied to last, was eight lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and finished strongly down outside for fourth in a trial on 14 November at Avondale. Resuming in the $18,500 Maiden 1150 metres, he has delivered four trial wins, and has been gelded since last racing. He’s another who has drawn (4) to advantage and can prove competitive first-up. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

Werribee:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: true. 6mls rain forecast Saturday and no rain Sunday. 

4:17 p.m. (NZ time) R3 2 Royal Rendezvous (3 g Royal Meeting – Alana’s Party) – Lachlan Neindorf; he lifted after travelling wide to win a jump out on 17 November at Cranbourne, and debuts in the A$42,500 Maiden 3YO 1000 metres. From second crop of European Group One winning two-year-old Royal Meeting (Invincible Spirit), he is the half-brother to four-time stakes’ winning stable-mate Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), and shapes to race well first-up with a decent trip from barrier nine. NZ TAB fixed odds: $19.00 & $4.60.

Stony Creek:

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. 4mls rain forecast Saturday and 2mls rain Sunday. 

 4.29 p.m. (NZ time) R3 4 Play It Cool (3 g Cool Aza Beel – Love) – Liam Riordan; he was eased back to last from the outside gate and ran home well for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 1590 metres on 9 November at Wodonga, also with Riordan aboard. Contesting the A$32,000 Maiden 2100 metres and he has a gun draw (2) to race well again if appreciates extra distance.