Te Akau Trans-Tasman Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Sunday 14 April at Te Rapa in New Zealand, and Pakenham (Melbourne) and Terang (Victoria).

Te Rapa:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out 9.5 metres. 5mls rain forecast Saturday, showers forecast Sunday.

1:21 p.m. R3 6 Viva Glam (2 f Savabeel – Style By Design) – Wiremu Pinn; she ran the fastest last 600m (37.3) from rear for third when debuting in the Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres on 27 March at Matamata, and contests the $20,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. From a stakes' placed mare that won twice over 1200 metres, she is unfortunately awkwardly drawn (8) and may again settle off the pace and find the line as a realistic first four chance - one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00. 

1:21 p.m. R3 7 Cantatrice (2 f Microphone – Arabian Gift) – Warren Kennedy; she quickened to a handy advantage and went on to win a trial well on 28 March at Tauranga. Debuting in the $20,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres, by Australian Champion Two-Year-Old Microphone (Exceed And Excel), she shapes to race well if the country's leading jockey secures a decent trip from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

1:55 p.m. R4 5 Freeze Frame (4 g Vadamos – Snow Petal) – Warren Kennedy; he ran the fastest last 600m (34.7) to decisively win the Rating 75 1400 metres on 24 February at Matamata, but was unable to quicken from last, on ground downgrading to heavy, in the corresponding race on 23 March at Tauranga. Up in grade for the $40,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres, he brings a good course and distance record to the contest, and is a serious first four contender. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.85.

2:30 p.m. R5 2 Valentine (3 g Turn Me Loose – Fastnet Rose) – Wiremu Pinn; he resumed with victory in the 3YO 1200 metres on 16 March at Tauranga, and contests the $35,000 3YO 1200 metres. He possesses a good record, handles give in the ground, and while he meets a solid field, he does have first four claims if appreciative of the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30. 

3:10 p.m. R6 13 Francee (4 m Iffraaj – Calveen) – Warren Kennedy; she began well to trail and was held together in a close finish among the minors when trialling on 14 March at Taupo. Resuming in the $35,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, she was luckless in tight quarters in the Rating 75 1400 metres here on 10 February, but her prior form was top rate and if she can get luck from her wide gate (14) she will be right in the thick of things. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.   

3:50 p.m. R7 7 Popthebubbles (4 m Wrote – Vickezzlepin) – Vinnie Colgan; she ran home strongly for a close third in trial on 28 March at Tauranga, and resumes in the $35,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. She closed strongly fresh-up in the corresponding race earlier this season with Colgan aboard, won a Maiden over 1600 metres by six-plus lengths on heavy ground, and appears capable of bold showing - one of two mares from the stable in this line up. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

3:50 p.m. R7 8 Zantabulous (4 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Wiremu Pinn; she finished well for fourth in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 16 March at Tauranga, and contests the $35,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. Stifled for room when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 10 February, she did very well for fourth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 24 February at Matamata, and as a winner on soft and heavy going, she brings first three credentials to this race from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

Pakenham:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 12 metres. No rain forecast.

2:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 12:55 p.m. (Vic) R2 4 Leaderboard (9 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy) – Aaron Kuru; he was unpressured closing the margin for fourth in a trial on 14 March at Taupo, then had a hurdle trial on 3 April since arriving in Australia, and resumes in the A$35,000 Maiden Hurdle (3200m). He has the top rider aboard, was a Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) winner, won a hurdle trial before his debut in that role last season, and a good record at two miles should work in his favour.

4:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:15 p.m (Vic) R4 5 The Mighty Spar (6 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – William McCarthy; he defended his title in the South Waikato Cup (Rating 81, 2000m) on 13 March at Matamata, had a hurdle trial on 3 April since arriving in Australia, and contests the A$100,000 M. J. Bourke Hurdle (3200m). A hurdle winner, and fourth or better in four starts including third in Hawkes Bay Hurdle (3100m), he rates a top three chance. 

Terang:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 3 metres 1000m – 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast.

6:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:55 p.m. R7 1 Midnight Blue (7 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Liam Riordan; he made a successful return to racing when surging late for a close second in the Bairnsdale Cup (1600m) on 24 March at Bairnsdale, and contests the A$70,000 Sungold Milk Terang Cup (2156m). The winner of five races from 1800 – 2400m, as the highest rated in field he is required to carry top weight (61.5kg), but any improvement on his first-up effort would make him competitive. NZ TAB Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00.