Te Akau Trans Tasman Super Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 13 horses entered on Saturday 15 February at Matamata in New Zealand and six horses entered at Flemington (Melbourne) and Bendigo (Victoria) in Australia.

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:25 p.m. R1 11 The Sky Above (4 m American Pharoah – Blue Blue Sky) – Matt Cartwright; she finished strongly for second in the Maiden 1200 metres on 27 January at Tauranga, and contests the $40,000 Special Conditions Maiden 1400 metres. She has placed in six of 10 starts and is perfectly drawn (4) to have claims for a first four finish. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $2.90. 

1:00 p.m. R2 6 Colonel Warden (3 g Russian Revolution – Moralto) – Michael McNab; he kept finding plenty off a three-wide trip to win the Maiden 3YO 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and did well getting through for second in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 19 January at Pukekohe. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, he brings the right record and solid form lines to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.85.   

1:35 p.m. R3 1 Return To Conquer (2 c Snitzel – Vaujany) – Michael McNab; the first of three colts lining up for the team in the 2YO male feature - he commenced his career with a stylish victory in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes over 1100m on 23 November at Pukekohe, and followed suit with an authoritative win in the inaugural Group 3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic over 1200m at just his second appearance on 1 February at Ellerslie. Unbeaten in two starts, he warrants favouritism in the $150,000 Group 3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m). Fixed odds: $1.55 & $1.05.

1:35 p.m. R3 2 To Bravery Born (2 c Snitzel – Milunka) – Matt Cartwright; the second colt contesting this feature for the stable, he ascended quickly from back in the field to win the 2YO 1200 metres on 12 January, and did well from midfield on the inner for fourth in the Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), won by stable-mate La Dorada on 25 January, both at Ellerslie. He has won two of three starts and is certainly a top three chance in the $150,000 Group 3 Fairview Matamata Slipper. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.15. 

1:35 p.m. R3 4 He Who Dares (2 c Snitzel – Rondinella) – Craig Grylls; the last of the tangerine trio, he quickened clear on debut to easily win the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 20 January at Wanganui by two lengths, also with Grylls aboard. He too lines up in the boys’ feature and while he has drawn the ‘outside’ gate (5) he too is more than capable of a top three finish. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $1.40. 

Te Akau has won the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) ten times, most recently in 2023 with Champion Two-Year-Old Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin). 

2:10 p.m. R4 4 Treaty of Paris (5 g Tavistock – Echezeaux) – Matt Cartwright; he was unable to quicken in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 20 January at Wanganui, and is the first of two stablemates contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. The winner of four races from 2000m – 2200m, he receives opportunity to show improvement but he hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green barrier-wise (16) which makes this a tough task for him. Fixed odds: $35.00 & $8.00.  

2:10 p.m. R4 8 Balance Of Power (4 g Almanzor – Respin) – Rory Hutchings; he recorded a strong second-up victory in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 4 January at Te Aroha, and stepped up to finish second to subsequent winner Aftermath in the Rating 75 2100 metres on 27 January at Tauranga. Racing well, he looks a top three chance from barrier seven in the $40,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.   

3:28 p.m. R6 2 Skew Wiff (5 m Savabeel – Starvoia) – Rory Hutchings; the first of two mares representing the stable in this very important race to us - one that honours a dear friend of Te Akau, it would be a fairy tale if these colours prevailed. Skew Wiff ended up back and wide when finishing seventh in the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) on 25 January at Ellerslie, and contests the $120,000 Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). She brings a good course record to this battle, is a Group One and Group Three winner at the distance, and while she is looking to recapture her best form that goal has been somewhat (yet again) thwarted by a difficult gate (10) for her. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.

3:28 p.m. R6 8 My Lips Are Sealed (4 m Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Joe Doyle; there second starter for the stable in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes, she dominantly won the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) on 4 January at Trentham and is having a terrific season. She looked very good in an exhibition gallop last Saturday at Te Rapa, is a course/distance winner, and while her draw (14) is absolutely no help, she does possess the ability to prove competitive in what is a strong field. Fixed odds: $23.00 & $5.50. 

4:02 p.m. R7 1 La Dorada (2 f Super Seth – Gold Fever) – Michael McNab; she made it two impressive wins from three starts in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 25 January at Ellerslie – becoming the eighth winner in the event for Te Akau in nine years. Contesting the $225,000 Group 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), also won by her dam, Gold Fever (Savabeel), in 2017, she is a tough and talented filly, and warrants favouritism - the first  of three in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $1.85 & $1.10.   

4:02 p.m. R7 4 Marokopa Falls (2 f Hellbent – Beside You) – Craig Grylls; she recorded an excellent debut win on 7 December before finishing third in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) on 21 December, both with Grylls aboard at Trentham. She looked good in an exhibition gallop on 22 January at Matamata, and also contests the $225,000 Group 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes. She presents as a genuine top three chance from barrier two. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $1.85. 

4:02 p.m. R7 6 Born To Be Royal (2 f King’s Legacy – Fatal Rendezvous) – Rory Hutchings; she found the line well for second to stable-mate In Haste (Snitzel) when debuting here on 22 January, and is the third of the Te Akau trio contesting the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes. From a top Australian sprint family, she has the coveted barrier one draw and is cannot be counted out as ability-wise, she has plenty. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $3.00. 

Te Akau has won the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) nine times, including last year with subsequent Group One winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon).  

4:37 p.m. R8 11 What You Wish For (4 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Craig Grylls; he again drew wide (13) and did very well from last to finish sixth in the $1 million Listed Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) on 25 January at Ellerslie. Contesting the $100,000 Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes over 2000m, he boasts a very good course record, and placed at this distance in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas last season. Importantly, he carries the minimum weight (53kg), is racing well this season, and has definite first four claims. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40. 

Flemington:

Weather: showers, track: Good4, rail: true. 11mls rain forecast Friday and showers Saturday. 

2:15 p.m. (NZ) ~ 12:15 p.m. (VIC) R1 7 Dreamflight (6 g Frankel – Dream Peace) – Shane Foley; he kept closing to finish fifth in the Benchmark 74 1600 metres on 22 January at Mornington, with Foley aboard, and went through the line solidly for fourth in a jump out on 10 February at Cranbourne. Contesting the A$80,000 Benchmark 78 2000 metres, he was a Group Three and Listed winner over 1600 metres in France before coming to Australia, is having his second start for trainer Mark Walker, and shapes to race well from barrier one. NZ TAB fixed odds: $81.00 & $13.00.

3:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 1:55 p.m. (VIC) R4 4 Savoir Faire (5 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Blake Shinn; he asserted his dominance when winning the Benchmark 84 2025 metres in November at Cranbourne, and was freshened after being back and wide in the Benchmark 84 2000 metres on 7 December at Ballarat. Resuming in the A$130,000 Benchmark 84 1600 metres, he finished fifth in a trial on 3 February at Cranbourne, and brings a solid distance record to this race. He has shown the ability to act well when in a fresh state and is nicely drawn (7). NZ TAB Fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.50.

5:05 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:05 p.m. (VIC) R6 7 It’s A Wild Night (5 g Vanbrugh – Supreme) – Craig Williams; he remained back and wide in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on 7 December at Ballarat, was then freshened, and quickened up well for second in a trial on 3 February at Cranbourne. Resuming in the A$175,000 Listed Elms Handicap (1400m), he recorded consecutive victories earlier in season over 1300 metres in New Zealand, is the winner of eight races to 1400 metres, and is poised to make an impact in this field coming in well in the weights - with our Karaka Millions 3YO winning rider engaged.  NZ TAB Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.60.

6:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:55 p.m. (VIC) R9 2 Captured By Love (3 f Written Tycoon – Moldova) – Blake Shinn; she recorded a classy Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas victory over 1600m in November at Riccarton, and had her chances thwarted by rain when resuming with seventh in the Group 1 Sistema Railway over 1200m on 25 January at Ellerslie - the first time she has finished outside of the top three in her career. Having her first start in Australia, she contests the A$175,00 Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m), is a high quality multiple Group winning filly, and is beautifully drawn (2) to receive economical trip with the Karaka Millions’ 2YO winning rider aboard. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.80.

7:35 p.m. (NZ) ~ 5:35 p.m. (VIC) R10 1 It’s Business Time (6 m Turn Me Loose – Risque Business) – Jeff Stanley (a2); she raced well and was not far away when finishing sixth fresh-up in the Benchmark 90 1200 metres on 1 February at Sandown. Contesting the A$130,000 Benchmark 84 1400 metres, she enjoys weight relief to 58.5kg, has won six of 11 starts from 1200m – 1600m, was second in the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile, and has a perfect gate (3) to prove competitive. NZ TAB fixed odds: $23.00 & $5.50. 

Bendigo:

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

7:11 p.m. (NZ) ~ 5:11 p.m. (VIC) R8 2 Leaderboard (10 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy) – Sage Duric (a3); he continued his top jumps’ form when third in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown, and was then spelled following a brave second in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) on 25 August at Ballarat. This stable statesman displayed plenty of zest winning his last two jump outs, most recently on 10 February at Cranbourne, and resumes in the A$30,000 Marong Cup (Benchmark 78, 2200m). A horse that has adapted very well to racing in Australia, this is a step in his preparation for upcoming jumps’ campaign, and Te Akau apprentice Sage Duric’s engagement contributes a weight relief to 57kg. 

Main photo - Captured By Love winning last season's Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes