Te Akau Trans Tasman Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Thursday 14 May at Riccarton (synthetic), New Zealand, and one horse entered at Werribee, Victoria.

Riccarton: 

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

12:47 p.m. R3 2 Hello Bess (3 f Hello Youmzain – Niamh Elizabeth) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she fought hard for fourth after working forward to lead when resuming in the Rating 60 1200 metres here on poly-track (30 April), won by stable-mate Arctic Jewel (Frosted), and contests the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She extended a terrific family tradition with a debut course/distance win here on the poly-track in December, and will appreciate the weight relief to 55kg with the Te Akau apprentice engaged - she has the ability to deliver a first three result. Fixed odds: $2.25 & $1.25. 

2:35 p.m. R6 2 Purple Prose (4 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he kept up a strong gallop to win the Rating 60 1600 metres here on poly-track (30 April) in easy fashion by two lengths, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. A dual course/distance winner, he enjoys weight relief to 57.5kg, and rates a top three chance to go back to back. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.80.

3:50 p.m. R8 8 Arctic Jewel (3 f Frosted – Miss Gem) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she sustained a strong run and withstood a late challenge to win the Rating 60 1200 metres here on poly-track (30 April), with Hayley aboard, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She has crafted a good record, drops to 55.5kg with the apprentice aboard, and is ideally drawn (4) to deliver a top three performance - the first of a stable duo lining up in the race . Fixed odds: $3.10 & $1.55.

3:50 p.m. R8 9 Celtic Bling (4 m Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth) – Triston Moodley (a1); she raced well for fourth in the Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Rating 65 1400 metres here on poly-track (30 April), won by stable-mate Queen Of Naples (Darci Brahma), and likewise contests the Rating 65 1200 metres. The half-sister to Hello Bess (above), she is a winner with a good poly-track record, but needs a lot to go her way from her wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

4:22 p.m. R9 1 Vivacious (5 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she finished strongly from well back when third in the Rating 75 1400 metres here on 11 April, also with Hayley aboard, and is one of two stable runners in the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. She has been patiently handled and given time (33 days) since last racing, and has the plus of weight relief to 57.5kg. She also brings a very good poly-track record to the contest, and is ideally drawn (3) to be a realistic top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.95.

4:22 p.m. R9 13 Queen Of Naples (4 m Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Triston Moodley (a1); she secured a hat-trick of wins on the day for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson when winning the Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Rating 65 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) here on the poly-track (30 April), likewise with Moodley aboard, and also contests the Rating 75 1400 metres. All three of her wins have come on the poly-track at Riccarton and while she is stepping up in grade, she brings winning form and should again prove competitive. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.20. 

Werribee:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

6:00 p.m. (NZ) - 4:00 p.m. (Vic) R7 13 Seven Oceans (3 f Flying Artie – With Purpose) – Luke Currie; she found the line solidly from beyond midfield when resuming in the Benchmark 62 1012 metres here on 24 April, and contests the A$35,000 Benchmark 62 Fillies & Mares 1100 metres. She has recorded a win and placed three times to 1200 metres, and is an improving filly who ideally drawn (5) to race well. NZ TAB fixed odds: $9.50 & $3.00. 

Main picture - Queen of Naples winning on course