Te Akau Trans Tasman Super Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 20 horses entered on Saturday 24 January: Ellerslie, New Plymouth, and Riccarton, New Zealand, and two horses entered at Caulfield, Melbourne.

Ellerslie:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. Showers forecast Friday and 3mls rain Saturday afternoon.

4:59 p.m. R2 1 To Bravery Born (3 g Snitzel – Milunka) – Rory Hutchings; he maintained his impeccable fresh-up record of four wins with an impressive performance in the 3YO 1200 metres on 13 December at Te Rapa, and has since had a quiet trial here on 11 January. One of five stable runners contesting the $250,000 Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m), he has won four of his eight starts, is stakes’ placed, is also a course/distance winner, and is a serious top three prospect from barrier one. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.90. 

4:59 p.m. R2 2 King’s English (3 c Snitzel – English) – Opie Bosson; he won the Maiden 1150 metres on 26 November at Te Aroha by nearly six lengths, and quickened very well to win the 3YO 1200 metres here on 11 January. Also contesting the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy, he brings the right form into the battle here, and he too can justly boast top three claims if Opie secures a  decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.45.

4:59 p.m. R2 10 Drops Of God (3 f Hello Youmzain – Distinctive Lass) – Ben Thompson; team member number 3 lining up in the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy created a huge impression when winning a Maiden 1150 metres by 5.5 lengths on debut on 7 December at Te Aroha, then sustained a strong gallop to win the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 1 January. She has been impressive winning both starts, but her awkward draw (12) poses a challenge for the promising filly. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.45.

4:59 p.m. R2 13 Belle Cheval (3 f Savabeel – Keepa Cheval) – Craig Williams; 'the last’ of our Te Akau  trained quartet, but definitely not ‘the least’, she made up plenty of ground in the straight to finish just in behind the leaders in a trial here on 11 January. She raced clear to win on this track over 1400 metres in October, before finishing third in the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m), and she’s beautifully drawn (3) to pose a serious threat in this event. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.95.

Te Akau has previously won the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy four times, most recently with homebred filly Maven Belle (Burgundy) in 2023. 

6:13 p.m. R4 1 Kinnaird (2 c Home Affairs – Orinda) – Opie Bosson; he recorded a debut victory in the 2YO 1100 metres on 30 November at Otaki, and followed that with a strong winning performance in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) here on 1 January. One of three Te Akau stablemates lining up in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), he is from a terrific family, and possesses good size and strength, as well as natural precocity. The blinkers are on, he is ideally drawn (2) and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

6:13 p.m. R4 2 Out Of The Blue (2 g Tivaci – Cornflower Blue) – Craig Williams; he won first two starts over 800 metres at Riccarton in smart fashion, and was unlucky when finishing third in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) on 3 January at Trentham. Also contesting the Karaka Millions 2YO, he has the talent to prove competitive but requires luck from outside gate (14). Fixed odds: $19.00 & $4.80.

6:13 p.m. R4 13 Zaharias (2 f Super Seth – Green Roller) – Rory Hutchings; the third Karaka Millions 2YO runner for the tangerine team, she fought hard for third after racing wide in the 2YO 1200 metres here on 11 January. She produced two good efforts for second prior to finishing third, to showcase her ability, but she too requires luck from her wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $46.00 & $9.00. 

Te Akau has previously won the Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) eight times, including seven in succession, and most recently in 2025 with subsequent Group 1 winner and Champion Two-Year-Old La Dorada (Super Seth).

6:53 p.m. R5 3 He Who Dares (3 c Snitzel – Rondinella) – Opie Bosson; he was narrowly beaten (second) by the hot favourite for this event after leading in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) here on 26 December, with Bosson aboard. One of a stable duo lining up in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO, he was a debut winner that has since placed three times at Group & Listed levels, likes course and rates a top three chance from the handy barrier four. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $2.90.

6:53 p.m. R5 9 La Dorada (3 f Super Seth – Gold Fever) – Craig Williams; she returned to winning form with an impressive performance in the Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) on 3 January at Trentham, and also contests the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO over 1600m. Last season’s Champion Two-Year-Old after a dominant display in the Karaka Millions 2YO also with Williams aboard, she went on to win the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes and, having bounced back to her best last time, she must be a serious top three contender from barrier five. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.60.

Te Akau has previously won the Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m) five times, most recently last year with Damask Rose (Savabeel). 

7:28 p.m. R6 9 Espionage (4 h Zoustar – In Times Of War) – Damian Lane; he was back and wide from his outside gate and did very well when finishing strongly for third when resuming in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here on 1 January. Contesting the $700,000 Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m), he is a lightly raced dual winner from eight starts in Australia: Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m), and perfectly drawn (6) to snare the elite honours so necessary for a future stallion career. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.90.

New Plymouth:  

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy9, rail: true. 15mls rain forecast Friday and 7mls Saturday.

3:05 p.m. R6 4 Stella Ma Bella (3 f Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Corentin Berge; he received an economical trip on the inner, stayed near the markers, and ran on well over the final 200m for third in a trial on 13 January at Tauranga. Contesting the $80,000 Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m), she tired after working outside the leader in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on 26 December at Ellerslie, following an impressive win over 1400 metres. While she is looking to bounce back, one obstacle she needs to overcome is her wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.35.

3:05 p.m. R6 8 She Suits Herself (3 f Savile Row – Sleepy Girl) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she fought hard for second after positioning handily on a deteriorating Heavy10 conditions in the Maiden 1600 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha, also with Hassman aboard, and she too lines up in the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude. She is from a talented staying family, and the progeny of her sire have shown they can handle give in the ground, which she also displayed last start. She’s a long shot, but her advantage could be how she handles the going. Fixed odds: $23.00 & $5.50. 

Riccarton:  

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy8, rail: true. 5mls rain forecast Friday and Saturday.

12:33 p.m. R2 11 Options Open (3 f Darci Brahma – Optimiser) – Jasmine Fawcett; she bounced back with a solid performance for third in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 24 December at Ashburton, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She finished strongly for a close third over 1200 metres during Cup Week here in November, and can be in the thick of the action with a good dose of luck from barrier 11. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.00.

1:07 p.m. R3 8 Elysienne (2 f Sword Of State – Sternland) – Jasmine Fawcett; she received cover in third and sustained good gallop in straight for fourth in trial on 23 October at Ellerslie, and debuts from barrier one in the $40,000 2YO 800 metres. By Te Akau bought and trained Champion Two-Year-Old Sword Of State (Snitzel), standing at Cambridge Stud, whose first crop two-year-olds are doing a great job. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.50. 

1:40 p.m. R4 7 Belle Du Monde (3 f Zoustar – Lady Cartier) – Jasmine Fawcett; she spelled following the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) here in November, and sustained a strong finish from back in the field for a close second when trialling on 15 January at Ashburton. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she won fresh-up here over a sprint distance, finished strongly for fourth in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), and certainly looks more than ready to deliver a top three finish from barrier two. Fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.20.

2:57 p.m. R6 1 Cool ‘N’ Fast (4 g Savabeel – Cool ‘N’ Sassy) – Jasmine Fawcett; he did well off a three-wide trip for third place in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 2 January at Tauherenikau, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He was very impressive winning as a two-year-old, has produced some good efforts since resuming off a lengthy break, and has the ability to prove competitive if Jasmine (who rode for us so successfully in the south last time) can partner him to overcome the wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.85. 

4:06 p.m. R8 13 Trobriand (5 g Kermadec – Arboreal) – Jasmine Fawcett; he looked home before being claimed late in the Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m) here on 15 November, but was unable to threaten from the rear in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 14 January at Trentham. Retunring south the contest the $80,000 Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1200m), he loves Riccarton and has a good course and distance record. He has the talent to deliver a good result in this even field. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.50.

4:42 p.m. R9 2 Court Of Appeal (5 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Jasmine Fawcett; she spelled following the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) here in November, and held her spot solidly for fourth over a sprint trip in a trial on 15 January at Ashburton. Resuming in the $50,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, she is a versatile staying mare, and can produce a bold showing fresh-up - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80.

4:42 p.m. R9 8 Cognoscenti (4 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye) – Triston Moodley (a1); he was unable to quicken from a handy position in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 26 December at Wingatui, also with Moodley aboard, and likewise contests the Rating 75 1600 metres. He is capable of improved performance with decent trip from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40.

5:17 p.m. R10 2 High Roller (4 g Ace High – Miss Thorn) – Jasmine Fawcett; he finished sixth after improving to race handily in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 26 December at Wingatui, and contests $40,000 Rating 65 1800 metres. He was a staunch winner here two starts ago over 1600 metres on the poly-track, and this is an ideal opportunity for him to race well again. Fixed odds: $3.70 & $1.80. 

Caulfield:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

2:20 p.m. (NZ) - 12:20 p.m. (Vic) R3 9 I Am Aria (2 f I Am Invincible – Talaria) – Michael Dee; she flew the gates to lead and was nicely held together while sustaining a strong gallop for a close second in a jump out on 12 January at Cranbourne. Debuting in the A$250,000 Group 3 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Prelude over 1000m for two-year-old fillies, she is by the Champion Sire, and her dam Talaria (O’Reilly) was an impressive stakes’ winner on debut. She meets a classy field but her chances are aided by barrier one. NZ TAB fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.50. 

4:35 p.m. (NZ) - 2:35 p.m. R7 6 Geegees Mistruth (4 m Wordsmith – Miss Mana) – Ben Melham; she was steadied to last from the outside gate and produced an eye-catching finish for fifth in a jump out on 17 January at Cranbourne. Resuming in the A$175,000 Listed W. J. Adams Stakes (1000m), her first two starts for trainer Mark Walker resulted in a dashing second here in the Group 2 Herald Sun Sprint (1000m) and another top performance for second in the Group 3 G. H. Mumm Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. From 13 career starts, she boasts six wins to 1400 metres, performs well fresh and is positioned to race well. NZ TAB fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.45.