Te Akau Trentham Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Saturday 14 January at Trentham.

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

1:37 p.m. R3 3 Sky On Fire (2 f Exceed and Excel - Elusive Meteor) - Craig Zackey; she capped two seconds with victory in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) during Cup Week at Riccarton - the eighth for Te Akau. Resuming without a trial in the $80,000 IRT Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m), she will likely be one of quickest from gates and possesses top three chances - one of two in the race for the stable. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.35.

1:37 p.m. R3 4 Rubicon Crossing (2 f Rubick - Miss Foxwood) - Craig Grylls; she finished second off after a tougher run to stable-mate Sky On Fire (above) in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) and also resumes without a trial in the $80,000 IRT Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m). She rates a top three chance with decent trip from outside gate (8). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.85.

2:47 p.m. R5 6 Belle En Rouge (4 m Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Dean Yendall; she staged a huge run for fourth (fastest last 600m: 33.2) in the Open 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, and mounted a big finish for second to stable-mate Campionessa (Contributer) in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. A brilliant New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner here in March last year, she is a top three prospect from barrier five in the $100,000 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) - one of a stable duo competing. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

2:47 p.m. R5 12 Belle of the Ball (4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Michael McNab; she continued her great season when scorching home for victory in the Thames Cup (Rating 75 1600 metres) on 3 January at Matamata, and likewise contests the $100,000 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m). Stakes' placed, and winning three of her last five, she presents as a top three chance from barrier six. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65.

3:22 p.m. R6 2 Cognito (3 g So You Think - Lady Primrose) - Opie Bosson; he continued his good form with a notable sixth in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, was freshened, and was fine through the line over a sprint trip in trial on 23 December at Matamata. Resuming in the $140,000 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m), he has shown the ability to act well in a fresh state when winning on debut and is capable of bold performance with luck from wide draw (14) - the first of a Te Akau quartet contesting this feature. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

3:22 p.m. R6 5 Kabugee (3 g Satono Aladdin - Kabuki) - Sam Weatherley; he did well from beyond midfield for sixth to stable-mate Wild Night (Vanbrugh) in the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, and also contests the $140,000 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). Competitive at this level, he should go well again with any luck from his wide gate (13). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

3:22 p.m. R6 12 Romancing The Moon (3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight) - Craig Grylls; she fought hard for fourth in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and resumed with an easy victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 3 January at Matamata. Expected to situate in or near the lead, she rates a top three contender in the $140,000 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.

3:22 p.m. R6 18 Tavernia (3 f Mongolian Khan - Chaparella) - Dean Yendall; she was freshened following a strong debut win over 1230 metres in November at Rotorua, and wasn't not far away in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 17 December at Te Rapa. Aided drawing barrier one in the $140,000 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m), she has the ability to measure up. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $8.50.

3:57 p.m. R7 6 Campionessa (5 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Craig Zackey; she ended a terrific southern campaign winning the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2500m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and powered away to win the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) fresh up on 1 January at Te Rapa. In terrific form, she rates a top three chance to extend her black type winning streak in the $100,000 Mode Technology Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m). Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50.