Te Akau Trans Tasman Saturday Group Racing Preview

Te Akau Racing has 16 horses entered on Saturday 14 November: Tauranga and Riccarton, New Zealand, and one horse entered at Sandown, Melbourne.

Tauranga: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: out 2.5 metres from 1000m to 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast. 

2:10 p.m. R3 1 Talisker (6 g Embellish – Glenkinchie) – Jonathan Riddell; he finished close up after racing handily when resuming in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 17 October at Ellerslie, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. A dual winner over 1400 metres, he won a similar event in April, is ideally drawn (4) but does have the impost of the top weight (60kg). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.00.

3:54 p.m. R6 3 When Stars Align (5 g Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Jonathan Riddell; he was unable to quicken after working forward in $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on 26 October at Te Rapa, and is the first of a stable trio lining ups in the corresponding event. An unbeaten dual course/distance winner, with three wins to 1200 metres un der he belt, he is a capable lad but requires luck from his nightmare draw (17). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.40.

3:54 p.m. R6 9 Centurial (4 g Savabeel – Purcentage) – Sam McNab (a2); the second in the event for the team, he made it two wins from two starts this time in with a strong finish in Rating 65 1100 metres on 17 October at Ellerslie, and also the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He brings the right form to prove competitive as he steps up in grade, but he too requires luck from his wide gate (14) to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.50. 

3:54 p.m. R6 11 Paravane (5 m Merchant Navy – In The Vanguard) – Cooper Stumbles (a4); she finished close-up behind the leaders in Rating 74 970 metres on 30 September at Cambridge (poly-track), has been freshened, and likewise contests the Rating 75 1200 metres. She has been course/distance placed at her only previous attempt, and has the plus of apprentice weight relief to 51.5kg. While she is also a dual winner with good ability, for fear of sounding like a stuck record, she too will need a ton of luck from her wide alley (17). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.70.

4:29 p.m. R7 6 What You Wish For (6 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Jonathan Riddell; he produced two good efforts for second before an uncharacteristic form glitch in Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) on 25 October at Trentham, and contests the $150,000 Group 2 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m). A solid and genuine performer at this level, he has placed on course, and is seeking to bounce back with decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.90.

5:04 p.m. R8 7 Luvabeel (5 m Savabeel – O’Lovely) – Sam McNab (a2); she was held up in the home straight hen coming from last in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 24 October at Ellerslie, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. She closed in the fastest last 600m (35.2) for fourth when resuming at her prior start, and ended her previous campaign with a strong win in Pearl Series Maiden 1600 metres. She will take benefit from the weight relief to 54.5kg, and shapes to prove competitive with things going her way from her wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

Riccarton: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

11:40 a.m. R1 2 One True King (4 g King’s Legacy – Chicharita) – Craig Grylls; he finished close-up following an economical trip in Rating 65 1600 metres here on 24 October, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 2000 metres.  A course winner over 1400 metres, the question is whether he will appreciate the step up in distance and he needs plenty of luck from his wide draw (19). Fixed odds: $4.50 & $2.00. Also entered in Race 10

12:45 p.m. R3 10 Marokopa Falls (4 m Hellbent – Beside You) – Michael McNab; she quickened out of the pack and looked home before being claimed by race rival Knockingatthedoor (Super Seth) in $65,000 Rating 65 1200 metres here last Saturday, with Michael also aboard. Contesting the corresponding event, she is twice stakes’ placed, is racing very well and rates a top three chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.25. 

1:55 p.m. R5 9 Arctic Jewel (4 m Frosted – Miss Gem) – Michael McNab; she ran home solidly for fifth in Rating 65 1200 metres on 18 October at Ashburton, and contests the $65,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She has won twice to 1200 metres while racing consistently well last season, and is more than capable of proving competitive but things will need to go her way from her wide draw (19). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $3.10.

2:28 p.m. R6 13 Dream Of The Moon (5 m All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Michael McNab; she closed strongly from beyond midfield for fourth in Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) here last Saturday, also with Michael in the saddle, and contests the $75,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. A stakes’ winner who has also twice Group placed, all three of her career wins have been on this course, she carries the minimum weight (54kg) and looks a top three chance from barrier two. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.85. 

2:59 p.m. R7 3 Charmrose (5 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose) – Michael McNab; she did a top job in front before being claimed late by race rival Platinum Attack (Santos) in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) here last Saturday, with Michael aboard, and is one of two stabelrunnjers lining up in the $140,000 Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m). A really fast mare who loves dictating terms, she’s recorded six wins to 1200 metres, and is a definite a top three chance from barrier one despite the reasonably quick back up for her. $6.50 & $2.05.

2:59 p.m. R7 4 Trobriand (6 g Kermadec – Arboreal) – Lily Sutherland; he found the line strongly after being checked in the home straight in Listed Pegasus Stakes here last Saturday, also with Sutherland aboard, and he too takes on the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes field. He has fashioned a good course and distance record, is Group Two winner that is multiple -times Group Three placed, and he is ideally drawn (4) to prove more competitive. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.30. 

3:34 p.m. R8 2 Legally Binding (5 g Exceedance – Legal Eagle) – Floor Moerman (a2); he remained back in Open Handicap 1000 metres on 25 October at Trentham, and drops in grade for the $65,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. With four wins to 1200 metres, he has built a very good course/distance record, enjoys weight relief to 59.5kg, and is a definite top four prospect is Lily can navigate his tricky gate (13). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.60.

4:10 p.m. R9 4 Zafar (3 c Snitzel – Zasorceress) – Masa Hashizume; he stretched out well for fifth in the Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1400m) here on 24 October, won by stable-mate Sword Of Stars (below), and contests the $700,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). He won the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) here as two-year-old, boasts a good course record, and is ideally drawn (5) to bounce back to form. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.30.

4:10 p.m. R9 10 Sword Of Stars (3 f Sword Of State – Angelica Hall) – Michael McNab; she quickened stylishly to win the Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1400m) here on 24 October, and also contests the New Zealand 2000 Guineas. She is a talented filly from a great family, brings terrific form, and rates a top four chance with decent trip from the slightly awkward barrier nine. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.90.

Te Akau has won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) seven times, most recently in 2021 with Noverre (Savabeel), now standing at Waikato Stud.?

5:18 R11 7 Court Of Appeal (6 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Michael McNab; she finished well from a good position for third in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2590m) here last Saturday, with Michael in charge, and contests the $450,000 Group 3 Martin Collins 163rd New Zealand Cup (3200m). With five wins to 2200 metres, she brings a good course record, is racing well and is primed to give this field a shake if appreciative of one-week turnaround. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.00. 

Sandown:

Weather: showers, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast. 2mls rain forecast Friday and 4mls Saturday morning. 

4:35 p.m. (NZ) - 2:35 p.m. (Vic) R5 8 Meness (3 c Ghaiyyath – Snitzel’s Moon) – Ben Melham; he raced gamely to finish fourth in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on 21 October at Geelong, and contests the $400,000 Group 2 Sportsbet Sandown Guineas (1600m). He has placed in four of six starts, is racing well, and while he has drawn the pivotal ace he does meet a strong field. NZ TAB fixed odds: $41.00 & $8.00. 

Main picture - Sword of Stars winning the Group 3 War Decree Stakes