Te Akau Trans-Tasman Super Saturday

Te Akau Racing has 16 horses entered on Saturday 14 September at Riccarton, New Zealand and Flemington (Melbourne) and Donald (Victoria).

Riccarton: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 8 metres. 14mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday. 

12:20 p.m. R1 10 Age Of Discovery (3 c Savabeel – Bayrock) – Opie Bosson; he began well to contest the pace, quickened to lead and kept getting away to easily win when trialling on 6 August at Te Rapa. Making his raceday debut in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres, he handles some give in the ground, and is a well bred colt whose dam is the sister to dual Group One winning stallion Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock). He looks to have to three credentials from barrier five with Te Akau stable rider, and the country’s best, Opie Bosson ONZM engaged. Fixed odds: $1.80 & $1.10.

12:53 p.m. R2 4 Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Wiremu Pinn; one of two in the second race on the programme, this mare came from second last in the fastest last 600m (32.4) for fourth when resuming in the Rating 65 1000 metres here on 31 August, also with Pinn aboard, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She broke through for an easy win over 1400 metres last season at Te Aroha, has run good sectionals, and rates a top three chance from the advantageous barrier two. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.55.

12:53 p.m. R2 7 When Stars Align (3 c Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Opie Bosson; stablemate to the aforementioned filly, this colt sustained a solid gallop for third, after leading, when resuming in the 3YO Colts & Geldings 1100 metres on 21 August at Taupo, and likewise contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Beautifully bred, he was a debut winner in the 2YO 1100 metres last December at Trentham, and has the credentials to make an impact at his second only race day appearance. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.30.

2:48 p.m. R5 2 Fierce Flight (6 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Opie Bosson; he got back from his outside gate (12) before running the fastest last 600m (33.6) for fourth when resuming in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres here on 31 August, and contests the $50,000 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup Trial (Open Handicap, 1800 metres). He comes into this event as the winner of six races from 1600m – 2200m, including the Listed Hawkes Bay Cup  2200. He has placed twice to 3200 metres at Group Three level, and watch for him to be running out the race very strongly as he prepares for another New Zealand Cup attack during Cup Week in November - one of two stablemates to line up in this race. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.40.

2:48 p.m. R5 5 Fellini (5 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Wiremu Pinn; he never looked in danger of defeat when winning the Rating 75 1800 metres here on 31 August, also with Pinn aboard, and he too contests the $50,000 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup Trial (Open Handicap, 1800 metres). It’s a plus that he drops to the minimum weight (54kg) and if he brings his A-game to play, he certainly has first four claims from barrier two. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.50.

3:22 p.m. R6 1 Perfect Scenario (7 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Amber Riddell (a4); he trailed from barrier one, was held up before being forced to switch ground on the inner late, but still ran home solidly for fourth when trialling on 3 September at Cambridge (poly-track). A dual Group Three winner over 1600 metres at weight-for-age level in the south, he loves  being based at Riccarton and seems to grow another leg every time he returns. He possesses a good course record, and has the key benefit of weight relief to 58kg, While he acts well in a fresh state, he is likely to be ridden quietly from his challenging gate (11), look to see him finding the line with vigour. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.00. 

3:58 p.m. R7 2 The Victress (3 f Zousain – Liesele) – Opie Bosson; the first of three Te Akau fillies to contest this feature, she raced clear after leading to score dominantly when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres here on 31 August.  Contesting the $80,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes over 1200m, she is the winner of two from four, she rates a top three chance from barrier one with the stable rider aboard. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.75.

3:58 p.m. R7 3 About Last Night (3 f Capitalist – Kissmelikearocksta) – Warren Kennedy; the second of the Te Akau filly stakes’ trio sat second in the open and continued finding the line in a determined fashion for second to The Victress (above) when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres here on 31 August. Also contesting the $80,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes, she has last season’s Champion Jockey engaged, is a natural runner that won on debut last season over 950 metres at Tauranga, and has top three credentials from the handy barrier three. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.

3:58 p.m. R7 4 Dream Of The Moon (3 f All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Wiremu Pinn; she began well to lead at a moderate pace and sustained a good gallop for a close second when trialling on 21 August at Taupo. She resumes in the Canterbury Belle Stakes sand was an impressive winner during Cup Week (last November) at Riccarton, beating race rival Diablo Girl. She also posted a strong third to stable-mate Captured By Love in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes over 1100m) and is more than capable of making her presence felt in this field if things can go her way from the wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

Te Akau has won the Canterbury Belle Stakes five times, including last year with Viva Vienna (All Too Hard) and the year before with One Kiss (Tivaci).

5:13 p.m. R9 7 Kabugee (5 g Satono Aladdin – Kabuki) – Opie Bosson; he recorded the fourth win on the day for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson when fighting back to score in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 31 August. Up in grade for the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, he is the winner of four races, has been competitive at stakes’ level in North Island, and is capable of good effort he too can garner some luck from wide alley (13) - one of two for the stable in the event. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.20. 

5:13 p.m. R9 14 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Wiremu Pinn; she kept quickening after trailing to win the Rating 65 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 24 August, running fastest last 600m (32.8), and steps in the grade and distance for the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. The daughter of Burgundy, himself purchased by David Ellis CNZM and trained by Te Akau, she is stakes’ placed to 2000 metres on the course, is very consistent, and has ability to present as a top three contender - but is another who has drawn disadvantageously (11). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.60.

Flemington:

Weather: showers, track: Soft5, rail: true. 4mls rain forecast Saturday.

2:10 p.m. (NZ) ~ 12:10 p.m. (Vic) R1 12 Zourion (4 m Zoustar – Irion) – Michael Dee; she led by a big margin and never relinquished that position in a jump out (trial) on 3 September at Cranbourne. Resuming in the A$80,000 Benchmark 78 1100 metres, she was an impressive debut winner before winning the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes 1200m at just her second start. She then transferred to Te Akau’s Melbourne base where she was third in Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude 1400m at Caulfield and then had a lay off to remove a bone chip. She does perform well in a fresh state and has first four claims in this strong field she faces but will require things to go her way from her awkward gate (13). NZ TAB fixed odds: $19.00 & $5.50.

3:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 1:15 p.m. (Vic) R3 2 Bellatrix Star (3 f Star Witness – Alana’s Party) – Michael Dee; she got back last from her outside draw (8) and did well to finish fifth when resuming in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes 1100m on 17 August at Caulfield, also with former Te Akau apprentice Dee aboard. Contesting the A$175,000 Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes 1100m, she was the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes over 1200m earlier in the year at Ellerslie,  after scoring on debut last season, and she receives opportunity to improve second-up. NZ TAB fixed odds: $20.00 & $5.00.

5.40 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:40 p.m. (Vic) R7 1 Quintessa (4 m Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Daniel Stackhouse; she exuded her fortitude with terrific fresh-up victory in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes over 1200m on 31 August at Caulfield, likewise with another former Te Akau apprentice in Daniel Stackhouse aboard, and carrying 60kgs top weight to boot. She contests the A$300,000 Group 2 Furphy Let’s Elope Stakes over 1400m, a race for Four-Year-Old Mares & Upwards, is the equal highest rated (105) in the field and warrants market support and respect as an each-way chance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.25.

6:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:55 p.m. R9 12 Sans Doute (5 m Not A Single Doubt – My Prerogative) – Michael Dee; she came from last with a strong finish for third when resuming in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on 24 August at Moonee Valley, also with Dee aboard, recorded the best sectionals on the day. Back to the track she has shown huge love for, she  contests the A$300,000 Group 2 HKJC World Pool Bobby Lewis Quality over 1200m. Unbeaten in four starts on this course, most recently when rocketing home in the Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Stakes over 1000m, she has a scintillating turn of foot to place her right in the thick of the action here. NZ TAB fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

Donald:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

3:31 p.m. (NZ) ~ 5:31 p.m. (Vic) R3 4 Sure Thing (4 g Akeed Mofeed – Lalani) – Jake Noonan; she has a been freshened since having first start for stable in July, and comfortably won a jump out (trial) on 3 September at Cranbourne. Resuming in the A$27,000 Maiden 1628 metres, she is a consistent performer that has placed twice to 1800 metres, and is ideally drawn (5) to race well first-up.