Te Akau North South Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered on Saturday 26 September: Hastings and Riccarton. 

Hastings: 

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

3:30 p.m. R6 10 Asturia (3 f Almanzor – Kay’s Legacy) – Michael McNab; she unwound from back in the field with a big finish to score an impressive debut victory in the 3YO 1400 metres on 5 September at Ellerslie, running the fastest last 600m on day (34.2). It was a very good performance, especially against more experienced horses, giving the team the confidence to give her a black type opportunity in the $175,000 Group 2 The Foxes & Novarra Park Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). Her winning jokey on debut stays aboard for this rise in class assignment - she will likely be allowed to find feet from barrier seven, displayed above average ability first-up, and has the talent to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.95. 

Riccarton: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 7 metres to 1000m, then 10 metres to winning post. No rain forecast.

12:15 p.m. R1 1 Bellish Boy (4 g Embellish – Stylish Achiever) – Kyle Wilson-Taylor; he fought well for fourth after racing in the open, on sticky ground that really wasn’t to his liking, when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 29 August, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. He raced competitively in first campaign in the north, looked good finishing first and third in trials prior to racing, and he rates a top three chance with any luck from his wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.70.

1:25 p.m. R3 1 Zafar (3 c Snitzel – Zasorceress) – Kyle Wilson-Taylor; another who wasn’t suited on the sticky ground at his last start, he still fought well for fourth when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres here on 29 August, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres. He recorded his debut win here on Good4 footing in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m), and  having the benefit of better footing, he can certainly make a serious impact from barrier four. Fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.10.

1:25 p.m. R3 3 Enchantment (3 f Hello Youmzain – Belle Fascino) – Hayley Hassman (a1); she finished fifth on that same sticky ground after racing near the pace when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres here on 29 August, and also contests the 3YO 1200 metres. She claimed the Listed Welcome Stakes over 1000m here as a two year old, and established a good record last season culminating in her  being awarded the South Island Champion Two-Year-Old title. On better ground, and from a good gate (3), she can be right in the thick of the finish. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.55. 

2:03 p.m. R4 2 Hakkinen (5 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he stylishly rounded up the leaders from back in the field to resume with a smart victory in the Rating 75 1400 metres here on 12 September, on the back of an eye-catching trial win on 25 August at Ashburton. Contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, he is a solid performer, displayed fitness and tenacity in his fresh-up win, and it’s on the cards he can deliver another top three finish. Fixed odds: $2.05 & $1.20.

3:14 p.m. R6 6 Court Of Appeal (6 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Kyle Wilson-Taylor; she remained back  in the field after being caught three-wide and being steadied for cover in the Open Handicap 1800 metres here on 12 September. Contesting the $50,000 Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m), she has been a course/distance winner among five career victories to 2200 metres. She has the advantage of carrying the minimum weight, and this is an ideal opportunity for her to show improvement. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.75.     

3:49 p.m. R7 3 Stonybreck (7 g Tavistock – Fair Isle) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he worked forward into second, popped off the leaders back at the 200m and went on to win a trial on 15 September at Ashburton. One of two runners for the team resuming in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres, he ended his previous campaign on a high note by winning the Open Handicap Easter Cup over 1600m here in May. He has been an impressive course/distance winner who has won nine times now up to 1600 metres, and he’s got the ability to prove competitive first-up in a strong field. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.60.

3:49 p.m. R7 11 Dream Of The Moon (5 m All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Kyle Wilson-Taylor; she comfortably won her last two trials at Ashburton, most recently on 15 September when quickening away to win easily. First up in the Open Handicap 1400 metres, she is a stakes’ winner who has twice been Group placed, and she loves Riccarton, with all three of her career wins coming on this course. She is assigned the minimum weight (54kg), and is ideally drawn (3) to be a realistic first four prospect. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.60.

4:24 p.m. R8 2 Cool ‘N’ Fast (5 g Savabeel – Cool ‘N’ Sassy) – Triston Moodley (a); he received an economical trip on the inner, navigated a good passage in the straight and ran home well for fourth in a trial on 15 September at Ashburton. Resuming in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, he ended his previous campaign with two wins and has been twice placed from his last four starts. He thrives in the south and enjoys this course, placing twice from three attempts, and is capable of proving competitive fresh-up if he can overcome the challenge of his wide draw (15) - the first of a stable duo in the race. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

4:24 p.m. R8 5 Cool Aza Rene (4 m Cool Aza Beel – Irene) – Kyle Wilson-Taylor; the second runner in this event for the team, she raced well for second when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 29 August, and had more in the tank when finishing fifth in a trial on 15 September at Ashburton. Also contesting the Rating 75 1200 metres, she is a dual course winner who has won five times up to 1400 metres, including victory in the Group 3 Barneswood Stakes (1400m) last season. She always tries hard and can feature in the finish with her grit and determination but the task is made difficult from her wide alley (14). Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.05.  

Main picture - Dream of the Moon winning at Riccarton