Te Akau Trans Tasman Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Sunday 14 June at Matamata, New Zealand, and one horse entered at Warrnambool, Victoria.

Matamata: 

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

12:25 p.m. R2 4 Aerial Impact (2 g Acrobat – Iff Elle) – Corentin Berge; he began well to share the pace on the outer and sustained a good gallop for second in a trial on 2 June at Pukekohe. One of two stablemates on debut in the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres, he has finished second in three of four preparatory trials.  He is from the first crop of debut two-year-old stakes’ winner Acrobat (Fastnet Rock), and it’s the family of Te Akau purchased and trained triple Group One winner Gingernuts (Iffraaj). If he can secure some luck from his wide gate (12) he can be right in the thick of things - note there has been a rider change today with Wiremu Pinn unavailable due to a pulled hamstring, however Coretin knows him well having ridden him in track work.  Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.10.

12:25 p.m. R2 13 Callidonta (2 f North Pacific – Linden) – Craig Grylls; she began well to travel boldly behind the leaders and lengthened nicely for third in a trial on 26 May at Waipa. Also having her first start in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres (for which she is eligible for $26,000 in bonuses), she is by Group winner North Pacific (Brazen Beau), and is the first foal of winning sprinter Linden (Pride Of Dubai). Hers is clearly a sprinting family and she looks ready to give a good account of herself, despite her tricky barrier (10) for her first race day appearance.  Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.70.

1:35 p.m. R4 1 Dare To Proisir (3 g Proisir – Hayle Bay) – Craig Grylls; he closed strongly in the fastest last 600m (34.2) for second in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1400 metres on 23 May at Ellerslie, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 2YO & 3YO 1400 metres. He has delivered two good efforts following a lengthy break, has undoubted ability and a solid record, and rates a top three chance from barrier two with the country’s leading rider in the saddle. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.35.

2:13 p.m. R5 14 Trouble Maker (3 f Redwood – Always In Trouble) – Craig Grylls; she found the line without threatening from a handy position in the Maiden 2YO & 3YO 1600 metres on 30 May at Te Rapa, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 2YO & Up 1600 metres. She is gaining experience following three starts, and does need to step up, but she hasn’t been dealt any advantages with her wide draw (14) so it makes it difficult. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.60.

3:22 p.m. R7 14 Viva Glam (4 m Savabeel – Style By Design) – Craig Grylls; she ran home well for fifth after being shuffled back in the Rating 60 1200 metres on 29 May at Tauranga, and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She has a good record on her home course, including a win over 1200 metres, she handles give in the ground, and ideally drawn (3) to look a first four prospect. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $3.10.

Warrnambool:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy9, rail: out 6 metres. 14mls rain forecast Saturday and no rain Sunday.

4:55 p.m. (NZ) - 2:55 p.m. (Vic) R4 1 The Mighty Spar (8 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Steven Pateman; he was pulled up in the latter stages of the Ecycle Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m) on 17 May at Casterton, also with the top rider Pateman aboard, and contests the A$50,000 Open Steeplechase (3450m). In good form prior, he loves this discipline and is the winner of seven jumps’ races. With scratchings, he only faces two other competitors who both have a significant pull on the weights, however he is guaranteed a top three finish!!

Main picture - Viva Glam winning at Matamata