Te Akau Trans Tasman Super Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Saturday 22 February at Ellerslie and Otaki, and two at Caulfield, Melbourne.

Ellerslie: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 5 metres. No rain forecast.

3:27 p.m. R5 12 Hakkinen (3 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Rory Hutchings; he closed boldly from last in the fastest last 600m (36.3) for fourth in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) here on 12 January, and contests the $250,000 Group 2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas over that same distance. He recorded a smart victory prior, at just his second start, in the Rating 60 1600 metres on 20 December at Matamata, finished strongly near outside rail for third in a trial here on 11 February, also with Hutchings aboard, and is poised to prove competitive in strong field. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $6.50. 

4:02 p.m. R6 2 Midnight Blue (8 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Ryan Elliot; he finished strongly from second last in the fastest last 600m (35.0) to be runner up in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) on 1 February at New Plymouth, also with Elliot aboard, and contests the $250,000 Group 3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup over 2400m. He has recorded seven wins from 1600m – 2400m, including victory in a Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) and Listed Seymour Cup over the mile.  He is racing well and is ideally drawn (3) to prove competitive again. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.90.

4:37 p.m. R7 9 Qali Al Farrasha (4 m Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Kevin Stott; she was beaten by just a half-head in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile on 11 January at Trentham, and worked home well over a sprint trip in a Group & Listed trial on 20 December at Matamata. She also looked good in an exhibition gallop, with Stott aboard, on 12 February at Te Aroha. Contesting the $500,000 Group 1 Sport Nation Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m), weight-for-age conditions make it harder, but she racing very well and has the ability to mix it if she can secure a decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $17.00 & $3.90. 

Otaki: 

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. 16mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday.

1:15 p.m. R2 6 Queen’s Evidence (2 f King’s Legacy – Enjay) – Harry Grace; she began well from the outside gate, was three-wide in the open near the pace but travelled comfortably, and quickened with a good action in straight to win a trial on 11 February at Ellerslie. Debuting in the $40,000 2YO 1200 metres, she is by King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice), a dual Group One winning two-year-old Of both the Inglis Sires Stakes (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m). She’s out of an impressive 2100-metre winning mare Enjay (High Chaparral) and is ideally drawn (2) to deliver a top three finish. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.25.

1:48 p.m. R3 1 Sense of Timing (4 m Time Test – Pin Up Lae) – Triston Moodley (a2); she tailed a field of six but travelled smoothly, six lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and finished strongly down outside for a close fourth in a trial on 11 February at Ellerslie. Resuming in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, She ended her three-year-old season with a top run for second in the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m), enjoys weight relief to 58.5kg, and while she is destined for further, she has the ability to deliver a positive result fresh up. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.25.

4:10 p.m. R7 6 Aotea Lad (8 g Savabeel – Corsage) – Triston Moodley (a2); he won a trial on 14 January at Matamata, and resumed with notable fifth to stable-mate Talisker (Embellish) in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 1 February at New Plymouth. One of the stable’s senior statesmen, he contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres, is another with weight relief dropping to just 52kg, and he’s perfectly drawn (2) to race well second-up. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.70. 

Caulfield:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

5:05 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3:05 p.m. (VIC) R6 1 Quintessa (4 m Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Daniel Stackhouse; she held her spot beyond midfield when resuming in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) on 1 February at Sandown, and contests the $200,000 Group 3 Catanach’s Jewellers Mannerism Stakes (1400m). A Group One and dual Group Three winner, she has delivered three wins at this distance, has the ability to improve second-up, but the top weight (60kg) assigned makes it  a tough task. NZ TAB fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.70.

6:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:55 p.m. (VIC) R9 14 Sans Doute (5 m Not A Single Doubt – My Prerogative) – Liam Rirodan; she was good through the line after working home widest on the track in a jump out on 10 February at Cranbourne, and resumes in the $750,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m). She won four in a row last season, including the Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Stakes over 1000m, possesses a top fresh-up record, but she has unfortunately drawn wide (10) and meets a hot field. NZ TAB fixed odds: $51.00 & $12.00.