Te Akau Trans Tasman Terrific Tuesday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Tuesday 5 November (Melbourne Cup Day) at Ellerslie, New Zealand and four horses entered at Flemington, Melbourne.

Ellerslie: 

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

12:20 p.m. R1 8 Cognito (5 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Vinnie Colgan; he ran the equal fastest last 600m (35.1) when closing late in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 12 October at Te Rapa, and then the fastest again (35.3) when finishing for third from well back in the Open Handicap 1600 metres here on 26 October. Contesting the $75,000 Open Handicap 1500 metres, he brings right form to rate a top three chance with decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.65.

12:55 p.m. R2 1 Altari (3 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Warren Kennedy; he closed strongly from a handy position for second when resuming in the 3YO 1400 metres on 12 October at Te Rapa, and contests the  $75,000 3YO 1400 metres. Having only his fourth start, he was impressive winning last season as two-year-old, and presents as a serious top three chance well drawn in barrier five. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.60.

6:00 p.m. R10 1 Wolverine (5 m Tivaci – Knew It) – Ngakau Hailey (a3); she did very well off a wide trip for close second in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 13 October at Rotorua, also with Hailey aboard for that occasion, and contests the $75,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. She is the hghest rated (85) horse in this field so carries the top weight (60kg). A dual Group Two winner, including winner the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes here over 1200m as a two year old, she is ideally drawn (2) to feature in the finish.  Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.70. 

Flemington: 

Weather: fine, track: Good4, out 2 metres. No rain forecast.

2:40 p.m. (NZ) ~ 12:40 p.m. (Vic) R4 11 Gruzamba (3 g Grunt – Wazamba) – Ethan Brown; he had no trouble justifying her hot favouritism with an impressive debut victory in the Maiden 1112 metres on 22 October at Kyneton (Victoria), also with with Brown aboard, and contests the A$150,000 Schweppervescence Plate (1000m). She is being given her chance, accepting for a much tougher assignment and also drawn wide (14), but she certainly looked promising winning like he did. NZ TAB fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.40.

3:55 p.m. (NZ) ~ 1:55 p.m. (Vic) R6 3 Midnight Blue (8 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Daniel Stackhouse; he resumed on a bright note with victory in the Listed Seymour Cup over the mile on 13 October at Seymour (Victoria), and contests the A$175,000 Listed Furphy Plate over 1800m. He has recorded two of his seven wins over 1800 metres, with two fourths on this course from four starts. He has also forged a good association with this rider, the former Te Akau apprentice, and shapes to race well again but meets a hot field as to be expected. NZ TAB Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40.

5.50 p.m. (NZ) ~ 3.50 p.m. (Vic) R8 13 Stage ‘N’ Screen (3 f Ace High – Inthespotlight) – Michael Dee; she asserted herself with a good turn of foot on debut when winning the Maiden 1200 metres on 13 October at Cranbourne, also with Dee aboard, and steps up in the A$175,000 Listed Amanda Elliott Stakes 1400m. She was very good through the trials' stage before winning first-up in Australia, and while it is never easy second-up into a stakes' race, she is nicely positioned to make her presence felt if she can secure a decent trip from barrier nine, and take the massive atmosphere in her stride. NZ TAB fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.45.

6:35 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:35 p.m. (Vic) R9 1 Quintessa (4 m Shamus Award – Chaquinta) – Daniel Stackhouse; she found the line well for sixth in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes over 1400m on 19 October at Caulfield when considering the track conditions were not to her liking whatsoever. She drops in grade for the A$200,000 Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes 1400m won last year by stable-mate Skew Wiff. A Group One and dual Group Three winner, she is the highest rated (104) horse in the field, and thus carries the top weight (59kg). While we know she possesses terrific tenacity, it will be no easy task with the carpark gate (18). NZ TAB fixed odds: $23.00 & $6.00.