The NZ Racing Desk reports ...

Enjoy these latest Te Akau Racing snippets as reported by the NZ Racing Desk ...

Great Northern Guineas' Target for Scrutinize

Hawke's Bay Guineas runner-up Scrutinize is back in work after a break.

Plans for a trip to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas were scrapped after the three-year-old ran seventh following an interrupted run in last month's Gr. 2 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa.

“We had bloods taken and the results said he'd had enough,” co-trainer Jamie Richards said. â€œHe's 100 per cent now and his first serious aim is likely to be the Great Northern Guineas at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.”

Love Triangle Progressing Well ... and Xtravagant too ...

The first horse to carry the famous blue colours of the leviathan Coolmore operation in New Zealand has received a first-hand tick of approval.

A $400,000 Karaka purchase by Te Akau's David Ellis, Love Triangle made a flying start to her career with a debut win at Ruakaka before finishing sixth in the Gr. 3 Gold Trail Stakes and she was then put aside.

“David made the right call to spell her after that, rather than going on to Riccarton, and she has put on weight and developed,” said Jamie Richards, who prepares the Encosta de Lago filly with Stephen Autridge.

“The Coolmore boys have been here this week to have a look at her and they are really pleased.”

Love Triangle won a 1000-metre trial at Te Teko yesterday (main picture) in preparation for a return to racing next month.

“She'll run on December 5 in a three-year-old race at Ellerslie and her next start after that will be in the Eight Carat Classic,” Richards said.

“She'll work her way through the Filly of the Year races and we would like to think that she will be an Oaks filly.”

Meanwhile, the outstanding Gr. 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Xtravagant has returned to the stable.

“He had a week in the paddock at Te Akau and he's ticking over quietly,” Richards said. 

“His first serious test will be in the Levin Classic and from there we've got some big plans in Australia. 

“The Guineas is on March 5 at Flemington and then there's a lot of money on offer in Sydney at The Championships.”