Te Akau Trans Tasman Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Thursday 26 June at Riccarton (poly-track) in New Zealand, and one horse entered at Bendigo (Victoria).

Riccarton: 

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

12:45 p.m. R3 4 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Courtney Barnes; she worked forward wide to get handy and fought well for fourth in the Rating 75 1600 metres here (poly-track) on 11 June. Contesting the $17,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, she possesses a good course/distance record, has been racing solidly without again breaking through, and rates a top three chance - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.40. 

12:45 p.m. R3 6 Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she followed a recent course/distance win to make it two wins from her last three outings when clearing out to win the Rating 65 1400 metres here (poly-track) on 29 May by nearly three lengths. Again with the in-form Te Akau apprentice engaged, she likewise contests the Rating 75 1400 metres, and has  weight relief to just 51kg. The blinkers are on, she too looks a genuine top three prospect. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.25. 

4:08 p.m. R9 4 Rule Of Law (4 g Justify – Repeat) – Hayley Hassman (a3); he was situated handily and lifted well for second in the Rating 65 1400 metres here (poly-track) on 29 May, also with Hassman in the saddle. Contesting the $17,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, he has recorded first, second, and two third placings in four starts to 1600 metres on poly-tracks, has weight relief down to 57kg, and is more than capable of keeping his very good form-line intact (winning in main picture). Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.90. 

Bendigo:

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

6:00 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:00 p.m. (VIC) R8 17 Adelante (3 f Swiss Ace – Progression, by All Too Hard) – Liam Riordan; she took time to settle, but was not far away when finishing fourth fresh-up in the Benchmark 64 1200 metres on 9 May at Cranbourne. The team has given her plenty of time away from race day (46 days), and she comfortably won a jump out after leading on 2 June at Cranbourne in preparation for her return in the A$35,000 Benchmark 64 1000 metres. She won her second start impressively earlier this season in New Zealand, beating subsequent four-time winner Penman, and while she sits third on the ballot, if she makes the field she has the talent to prove competitive. NZ TAB fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20.