Te Akau Trans Tasman Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered on Sunday 15 November: Rotorua and Waipukurau in New Zealand, and one horse entered at Moe, Victoria.

Rotorua: 

Weather: fine, track: Heavy8, rail: out 3 metres. 3mls rain forecast Sunday. 

12:40 p.m. R1 6 She Means Business (4 m Circus Maximus – Risque Business) – Opie Bosson; she ran home belatedly (fastest last 600m: 33.8) for fourth when resuming in Maiden 1200 metres on 28 October at Pukekohe, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1230 metres. Fourth in all four of her starts, including a course/distance performance on Heavy10 going, but she requires luck from her wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

1:56 p.m. R3 14 Figurine (3 f Ole Kirk – Quintuple Twins) – Michael McNab; she remained back when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 28 October at Pukekohe, and contests the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $28,000 bonuses). She has been solid through trials' stage, seems to have handled give in the ground, and receives a good opportunity to show improvement with the blinkers going on. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.

2:31 p.m. R4 8 No Curfew (3 g Vanbrugh – Supreme) – Opie Bosson; he fought hard from a handy position for third in a Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 3 October at Matamata, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1400 metres. The brother of Te Akau purchased and trained Group and Listed winner Wild Night, he has placed in both his career starts. The progeny of his sire appear to handle heavy ground, and he brings the right form to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.65.

3:09 p.m. R5 7 Vickezzlastcall (5 m Wrote – Vickezzchardonnay) – Opie Bosson; she remained back when resuming in Rating 75 1500 metres on 26 October at Te Rapa, and contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1950 metres. She shapes as a true staying type, with two wins on yielding ground to 2100 metres, and this is an ideal opportunity for her to show improvement. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.35.

4:19 p.m. R7 7 Zantabulous (7 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Opie Bosson; she remained back in the Rating 75 1500 metres on 26 October at Te Rapa, with Opie aboard, and is the first of two stable runners contesting the $18,500 Rating 75 1560 metres. She won a trial here on Heavy10 going prior to commencing her racing career, and is course/distance placed at only attempt. All four of her wins have been on slow and heavy ground, and this seems a good opportunity for her to rediscover winning form.  Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.85.

4:19 p.m. R7 11 Uptown (4 m Savabeel – Urban) – Sam McNab (a2); she recorded a strong win when resuming in a Rating 65 1600 metres on 25 September, but lost all chance after rearing at the start in Rating 75 1500 metres on 26 October, both at Te Rapa. Also contesting the Rating 75 1560 metres, she’s notched up two wins from six starts, and unfortunately has drawn wide (12), but is capable of proving competitive if appreciative of the prevailing conditions. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.25. 

Waipukurau: 

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

1:35 p.m. R2 7 Flaming Beauty (3 f Savabeel – Alezan) – Craig Grylls; she got back second last on a competitive pace, and while she was starved of room in the home straight, she kept closing behind the leaders for a close fifth in a trial on 2 November at Rotorua. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres, she is by 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), is out of a strong stakes’ producing dam-line, and is perfectly drawn (3) to produce bold first-up performance - one of two debutantes in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.80.

1:35 p.m. R2 11 Love Rules (3 f Super Seth – Lovable) – Elen Nicholas (a); she got back on the inner, was held in a pocket, but closed off with more to offer when trialling on 22 October at Waipa. Also making her debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres, she is by the same sire as Te Akau purchased and trained Champion Two-Year-Old La Dorada. Out of a mare by 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel) which adds to her credentials, she trialled well recently, but requires luck from her wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.20. Also accepted in Race 3 - fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.75.

3:19 p.m. R5 13 Divine Darci (3 f Darci Brahma – Princess Davone) – Craig Grylls; she got back in the last three, tracked up nicely approaching the home turn, and found the line well over a sprint trip for fifth in a trial on 22 October at Waipa. Stepping out for her first race day start in the $18,500 Maiden 1400 metres, she is a homebred filly by Te Akau purchased and trained Champion Sire Darci Brahma (Danehill). She hails from a from staying type of family, and need a whole lot to go her way from the wide draw (14) - the first of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:19 p.m. R5 17 Figurine (3 f Ole Kirk – Quintuple Twins) – Elen Nicholas (a); she remained back when debuting in Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 28 October at Pukekohe, and likewise contests the Maiden 1400 metres. She performed well through her trials’ period prior to racing and receives a good opportunity to show improvement from barrier three with the blinkers on. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.40. 

4:29 p.m. R7 13 Born To Be Royal (4 m King’s Legacy – Fatal Rendezvous) – Jim Chung; she finished fourth in a Rating 75 2100 metres on 17 October at Ellerslie, and contests the $35,000 Waipukurau Cup (Rating 75 2100 metres). She displayed plenty of resolve to win a Rating 65 2000 metres on 3 October at Matamata, and placed in the Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. She has drawn nicely and of course both of her wins have been on soft ground. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $2.00. 

Moe:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast Sunday. 

6:00 p.m. (NZ) - 4:00 p.m. (Vic) R7 6 Girt By Sea (4 m Ocean Park – Baggy Green) – Thomas Stockdale; she lifted with a determined performance to win a Maiden 1550 metres on 24 October at St. Arnaud, and contests A$35,000 0 – 62 Handicap 1600 metres. She is the sister to four-time Group One winner Tofane and half-sister to Group One winner No Compromise (Pins). She does appear capable despite stepping up in grade but requires luck from her wide alley (12). NZ TAB fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.45. 

Main picture - Zantabulous winning