The Shark Early Derby Favourite

The Informant reports:

Te Akau Shark has been installed as the early favourite for the $1 million Gr. 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on March 3.

The Rip Van Winkle gelding was an impressive winner of his first two starts, then was a fast-finishing fourth in this month's Gr. 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

The TAB has put Te Akau Shark at the top of its New Zealand Derby market at a quote of $10. His stablemate Age Of Fire, who was just ahead of him in second place in the 2000 Guineas, is the third favourite at $14. In between them at $12 is the unbeaten Demonetization.

Weather With You, who performed with credit in Victoria during the spring, is also at $14, followed by Iago ($16), Vin De Dance, Mission Hill and Haussmann (all $18).

The early market for the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup on March 10 is headed by (another Te Akau trained horse) Chance To Dance at $10, with last Saturday's New Zealand Cup winner Gobstopper at $12. Others who are prominent in the market include Lizzie L'Amour ($14), Benzini and Aspen Lass (both $16), Von Tunzelman, Ladies First and Wait A Sec (all $18).

The market for the Gr. 1 Sistema Railway on New Year's Day features the defending champion Start Wondering as the $7 favourite, followed by Te Akau trained Melody Belle and Packing Eagle (both $9), Volpe Veloce ($10), Te Akau's Heroic Valour ($12), Sweet Leader ($14), Ferrando, Untamed Diamond and Sacred Star (all $16).