Te Akau Trans Tasman Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Thursday 13 June at Riccarton, New Zealand and Echuca, Victoria.

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: poly track, rail: true. 

12:22 p.m. R1 4 Mitre Peak (3 f More Than Ready – Liten Prinsessa) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she improved notably when finishing fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 16 May and then won the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 31 May, both here on the poly track. While up in class for the $17,000 3YO 1400 metres, she does bring winning form to the table. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.15. 

12:57 p.m. R2 1 Time Is King (3 g Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Warren Kennedy; he came from the rear with a strong finish (fastest last 600m: 34.9) for second in the $17,000 Maiden 1400 metres on 31 May at Riccarton (poly track), and contests the corresponding event. Continuing to improve, he rates a top three chance from barrier five with the country's leading rider engaged. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.50.

1:32 p.m. R3 4 Fellini (4 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he has finished third in his last two starts here on the poly track: in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 16 May and then emulated that performance, from back on inner, in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 31 May. He looks a top three chance, drawn barrier five, and is one of two in the tangerine contesting the $30,000 Rating 84 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.50.

1:32 p.m. R3 7 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Warren Kennedy; she fought hard after leading for a close third to stable-mate Caravella (Caravaggio) in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here (poly track) on 16 May, and continued her good form with terrific run for second to race rival Miss Nico Belle (Nicconi) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 31 May. From barrier three, she is a definite top three prospect in the $30,000 Rating 84 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.45.

2:42 p.m. R5 3 French Rose (4 m Burgundy – Paraiba) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she was unable to quicken in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 16 May at Riccarton (poly track), and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. A course/distance winner earlier in the season, she brings good poly track form to this contest, and is ideally drawn (2) to make the most of this opportunity to bounce back. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.90.

3:57 p.m. R7 2 Hayate (5 m Maurice – Vamoose) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she drew out to win when stepping up in distance for the Rating 60 2000 metres on 15 May at Cambridge (poly track), but was unable to quicken when up in grade for the Rating 65 2140 metres on 30 May at Awapuni (poly track). She has racked up two wins and a second from five starts on poly tracks, and is well drawn (3) to improve with blinkers on in the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 Fillies & Mares 1600 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) - the first of two stable fillies competing in this. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.15.

3:57 p.m. R7 10 Star In The Sky (4 m Savabeel – Pikari Star) – Michael McNab; she came between runners from rear for fourth in the Rating 65 2200 metres here (poly track) on 31 May, and drops back in distance for the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 Fillies & Mares 1600 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). She won her Maiden on the poly track over 1700 metres and look for her to be finding the line strongly. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70. 

Echuca: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

4:30 p.m. (NZ) ~ 2:30 p.m. (Vic) R6 12 Hanging Rock (3 f Nicconi – Martindale Hall) – Luke Cartwright (a2); she looked good winning a jump out on 3 June at Cranbourne, and is having her first start from Te Akau's Cranbourne operation in the A$35,000 Benchmark 58 1200 metres. She won on debut over 1175 metres and has weight relief to 57kg. However she has drawn wide (15), thus is likely get back as per her jump out but appears to have ability, so look for her finishing strongly. NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.90.