Te Akau Trans Tasman Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Thursday 29 May at Riccarton (poly-track), Christchurch in New Zealand and one horse racing at Pakenham, Victoria.

Riccarton: 

Weather: overcast, track: poly-track, rail: true.

12:17 p.m. R1 7 Celtic Bling (3 f Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth) – George Rooke; she was unable to make ground from back in field in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 15 May, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 2YO & Up 1200 metres. Prior to that, she ran a close second in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 3 May. She really didn’t have all favours last time, so it’s best to put a line through that as she has the chance here to bounce back with good performance. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.35. 

12:52 p.m. R2 1 Corps D’Elite (3 f So You Think – Illuminati) – George Rooke; she was caught wide while progressing forward from her outside gate and held her position in second when trialling on 20 May at Ashburton. Prior to that, she closed late for fourth in a poly-track trial here on 6 May. Resuming in the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses), she has been runner-up in both her starts over 1200 metres, certainly is a filly with ability, and looks to have top three credentials from her handy barrier (2). Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.45.

1:27 p.m. R3 5 Purple Prose (3 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – George Rooke; he drew wide (12) and made ground from the rear to finish sixth when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 15 May, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 1400 metres. He should be suited by the increase in distance, but has again drawn poorly (12) which makes the task more difficult. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.15. 

2:02 p.m. R4 3 Angels Wings (5 m Heroic Valour – Gowana) – George Rooke; she closed strongly from midfield for second in the Rating 65 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 15 May, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $17,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Two of her three career wins have come on poly tracks, she has returned to form, and she is more than capable of delivering a first three result from barrier five. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.10.

2:02 p.m. R4 8 Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather) – Hayley Hassman (a4); she kept responding well to score the Maiden 1400 metres on 1 May and finished sixth after contesting a genuine pace in the Pearl Series 1400 metres on 15 May, both here on poly-track. She too contests the $17,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, has the benefit of apprentice weight relief to 52.5kg, and finds the opportunity to bounce back as top three chance. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.30.

2:42 p.m. R5 1 Rule Of Law (4 g Justify – Repeat) – Hayley Hassman (a4); he received a good trip when lifting for third in the Rating 65 1600 metres here (poly-track) on 15 May, and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He has finished first and also had two thirds in three starts to 1600 metres on poly-tracks, and is the type to generally go forward. Again the apprentice engagement will see him drop to 55.5kg, and if she can navigate the awkward gate (11), he can finish in the top four placings. Fixed odds: $3.70 & $1.60.

3:45 p.m. R7 1 Caravella (5 m Caravaggio – Highland Lights) – George Rooke; she raced handily and fought hard for a close fourth in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 15 May. One of three lining up in this event for the stable, she drops back in grade for this $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She has been a winner here on the poly-track over 1200 metres, is the highest rated (74) in the field and while she carries the top weight (59kg), she looked to be near her best last time, and has the advantage of the ace draw. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

3:45 p.m. R7 6 Knowledge Is Power (3 g Written Tycoon – Hectopascal) – Toni Davies (a3); he ran a slashing time of 1:08.8 when resuming with a victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 12 April, but was unable to quicken on Heavy10 footing in the Rating 75 1000 metres on 26 April, both here on turf. He has been patiently handled and given time (33 days), and he too contests the Rating 75 1200 metres. Runner-up in both starts on the poly-track, he can prove competitive with a good dose of luck from his wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

3:45 p.m. R7 7 Sorcha (5 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Hayley Hassman (a4); she did very well for fifth after racing three-wide without cover when resuming in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 15 May, also with Hassman aboard, and drops in grade for the Rating 75 1200 metres. She has notched up three poly-track victories, is a genuine performer (the half-sister to Celtic Bling), is assisted with weight relief to 53.5kg, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.

4:15 p.m. R8 7 Mitre Peak (4 m More Than Ready – Liten Prinsessa) – Hayley Hassman (a4); she finished on well from midfield when fifth in the Rating 75 1400 metres here (poly-track) on 15 May, likewise with Hassman aboard, in a race won by stable-mate Vivacious (Dundeel). One of a stable trio contesting the $17,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, both of her wins here have been on the poly-track to 1400 metres, she’s another with the benefit of weight relief (52kg), and is ideally drawn (4) to be a top three chance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.

4:15 p.m. R8 8 Beau Brummell (4 g Embellish – Fashion Forward) – Rohan Mudhoo; the second of the Te Akau trio in this race, he trailed a mate in a two horse trial and ran home fine to finish on terms on 20 May at Ashburton. Resuming in the Rating 75 1600 metres, three of his four wins here have been on the turf, he too is drawn to advantage (3) and does have the ability to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $20.00 & $5.00.

4:15 p.m. R8 10 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – George Rooke; she received a rails run after trailing when finishing third in the Rating 75 1400 metres here (poly-track) on 15 May, won by stable-mate Vivacious (Dundeel), and also lines up in the Rating 75 1600 metres. She has recorded a win and three thirds from four starts here on poly-track, she gives every indication that the mile should suit her, and she too has drawn well (5) in her quest for line honours. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20. 

Pakenham:

Weather: showers, track: Good4, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast Wednesday and no rain Thursday. 

8:45 p.m. (NZ) ~ 6:45 p.m. (Vic) R5 7 Stage ‘n’ Screen (3 f Ace High – Inthespotlight) – Ben Melham; she raced handily behind the leader and lifted for fourth in the 3YO 1200 metres on 26 April at Moonee Valley, was given space between assignments (33 days), and drops in class for the A$40,000 Benchmark 64 3YO 1200 metres. Competitive in strong fields, she has been freshened, and have rightful first four claims.  NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.75.