Te Akau Gisborne Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Sunday 18 February at Gisborne.

As on Saturday 17 February the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. No rain forecast.

12.53 p.m. R1 6 Lillet Rose (4 m Pins - Lillet) - Sam Weatherley; has displayed solid racing attributes, commencing her career with three seconds and a third, most recently finishing third in the Maiden 1600 metres on 1 February at Hastings. A touch of luck in running from barrier 10 in the corresponding event should provide each way prospects again.

2.03 p.m. R3 4 Remington (3 g Darci Brahma - Kudamm) - Sam Weatherley; makes his debut from barrier two in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres, following back-to-back seconds at the trials. From the impressive winner Kudamm (Cape Cross), who notched three of her four wins over 1600 metres, he appears capable of a bold first up performance.

2.38 p.m. R4 11 Abbey Kay (4 m Keeper - Abbey Tralae) - Tegan Newman (a3); has been given time since resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 30 December at Taupo, and contests the corresponding event from barrier two. Not overly big, but game, she was a Maiden winner over 1200 metres and her dam, Abbey Tralae (Keeper), won seven over sprint distances. Weight relief to 52.5kgs is an ideal assist.

3.13 p.m. R5 13 English Rose (3 f Makfi - Bislieri) - Rosie Myers; ran the fastest 600m (35.4) when closing for third in the Maiden 2000 metres on 1 February at Hastings. With debut form behind subsequent group one placed Ever Loyal (Sebring), the sister to 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa (Makfi) appears to have solid claims from barrier one in the $10,000 Maiden 2000 metres.

4.23 p.m. R7 12 Lady Zeraph (3 f Makfi - Zatiger) - Sam Weatherley; makes her debut from barrier six in the Maiden 1400 metres, having found the line for third and fourth respectively in her two trials this time in. From a Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare that impressed winning over a mile and since left staying type, this appears an ideal first up assignments.

5.35 p.m. R9 3 Tavis Star (6 m Tavistock - Megapins) - Tegan Newman (a3); drops in grade after meeting a very strong field in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 26 January at Pukekohe, a race in which she ran a highly commendable last 600m (32.9). With weight relief to 55kgs, and ideally drawn (2), she rates an each way chance in the $12,000 Rating 65 1600 metres.

5.35 p.m. R9 11 Scarlet Princess (4 m Redwood - Volks Princess) - Sam Weatherley; finished third in a good form race on 12 January at Matamata, the NZB Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres, following two notable fifths since resuming. She was a stylish Maiden winner on Dead4, has a consistent record and ability to figure in the $12,000 Rating 65 1600 metres.