Te Akau TV - Trans-Tasman Group 1 Weekend Preview

Date: 2 Mar 2023

Te Akau TV - Trans-Tasman Group 1 Weekend Preview

We're back this week for a Trans-Tasman episode of Te Akau TV - we're spoilt for choice this weekend with Te Akau runners hunting down honours in TWO Group 1's - the Group 1 New Zealand Derby at Te Rapa and the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick.


This week Te Akau's Racing Manager Reece Trumper joins us and talks through the team's nine NZ winners since last Wednesday including Dignitosa, Skew Wiff, Tokyo Tycoon, Zourion, Dynastic, Brando, Wairau Cove, Mehzebeen and Puketiro.


This weekend is simply unmissable - it's Derby destiny as excitement as builds in the camp as Imperatriz steps out for the first time on Australian soil. Having landed and settled in well, she is currently the short-priced favourite for the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Royal Randwick. She will be piloted by our former stable jockey James McDonald in a high class field of proven Australian Group 1 performers - James of course was crowned "World's Best Jockey 2022" in the Longines' World Best Jockey Competition which is based on a stringent points' system.


Back on home turf we have plenty to look forward to at Te Rapa where the stage is set for a different version of the New Zealand Derby with Ellerslie's temporary closure. In this year's edition Dynastic and Savoir Faire will put their best hoof forward the Group 1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby. This race holds a special place in our hearts with memories of Gingernuts' "dunking them in the Derby" before he blitzed them in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas in Sydney.  We will also see Safura, Elegant Lady and Marvelouz contest the Group 3 McKee Sunline Vase, while Cognito and Maven Belle are ready to make an impression in the Listed Vertical Logistics Mufhasa Stakes.


We also have runners flying the flag in the south at Wingatui on Saturday - the tangerine quartet is headlined by Romancing the Moon and Miss Dunsford in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes, Burgundy Rose looks for her 9th career win while Cu Chulainn makes his debut.


Reece labelled Tokyo Tycoon as his best bet last week, and he duly delivered - no pressure as he aims to be right on the winning mark again this week!


Good luck to all our runners and connections - let's bring it on! Go the tangerine

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