Akuta’s flight south for his comeback debut has been set back- though the only actual setback is for the Addington promoters of the Maurice Holmes Vase.
Scheduled earlier for heading south on August 19, this has been postponed until early September,making the New Brighton Cup (September 5) a more likely aim.
“He could have two starts up here during August (stands) so that seems a better option” Nathan said
“Mark has been thrilled with his last two workouts and he is coming up here later in the week for a good solid hitout at Pukekohe in company.There are no sign of any problems so far”
Akuta has been in the temporary care of Tony Shaw, who now has a share in the star pacer given him by Mark for his efforts. The noted Shaw skills have been a big aid to Mark’s Matamata activities and while travelling farther afield.
What racing Akuta needs from September to November will be determined by his progress but having been in work for so long he shouldn’t need a lot, with the Ashburton Flying Stakes,an almost compulsory Purdon lead up trial for previous Cups,an obvious target.
Akuta looks good value by Future Betting standards being at $16 with the TAB for the Cup where Leap To Fame is a dominating, perhaps prohibitive ,$1.50 favourite.
Two years ago Akuta was a $2.30 favourite going down to Swayzee in 3.56.9 yet at present he ranks below stablemate Chase a Dream whose in and out form has resulted in his being gelded and is not at this stage a certain runner.Former stablemates Don’t Stop Dreaming,2nd last year with every chance,and We Walk By Faith, unproven at this level, who are at $10 and $16 respectively suggests that Akuta at peak-a given in that Mark has already won the race eight times-makes him an attractive proposition.
In his previous Cup attempt in 2022 Akuta ran 3.54.1 when fourth to Copy That having to sprint wide after being held up in the back straight.
The time to be on must be now;those odds will drop sharply with a race as good as his work.
Leap To Fame is a champion who safe and fit looks a shot’s eye but plenty of champions have been denied in the New Zealand Cup through circumstances beyond their control-especially from Australia. Tiger Tara and especially Smoken Up are recent examples,there were earlier champions like Preux Chevalier and the wonderful Ribands-both of whom proved their class later in the meeting after disappointing in the Cup. Even the first southern hemisphere two minute pacer Lawn Derby back in 1938 made a rare mistake from the stand,also being the victim of some “home town” handicapping.That was the meeting he broke the two minutes in a historic time trial trotting fans had waited 40 years to witness.
Akuta with the Purdon colours in the cart and on his best day could surely test the dominant Australians. Finding out will be a spring highlight. Starting soon.