Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has ten horses racing on Saturday 21 October: Rotorua, and Ashburton.

Rotorua:

As on Friday 20 October the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. 1.5mls rain forecast Friday night.

12.40 p.m. R1 8 Nucleonic (3 f Burgundy - Mexican Rose) - Cameron Lammas; impressed winning on debut as a two-year-old over 1000 metres at New Plymouth, spelled soon after, and following a solid fourth at the trials she resumes in the $25,000 3YO 1215 metres. Possessing gate speed, drawn barrier five of eight, she should race in or near the lead and appears ready for a bold first up performance.

3.35 p.m. R6 1 Zambezi Warrior (5 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Tegan Newman (a4); finished second in the Premier's Cup (Gr. 3, 2200m) and fourth in the Chairman's Handicap (Gr. 3, 2000m) in three starts during the winter carnival in Queensland, and following a solid trial he resumes in the $30,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. He has performed well previously in a fresh state, aided by weight relief to 56kgs, and although destined to get up in trip should still produce a good showing. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.80.

3.35 p.m. R6 5 Royal Success (5 g Savabeel - Royal Show) - Opie Bosson; ran one of the fastest final 600m (35.2) on the day when resuming with a close second in the Rating 85 1400 metres on 4 October at Ruakaka, and drawn barrier five $30,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Winning four of his nine starts, including two over 1400 metres, he has blinkers on and can justify being well supported. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.60.

3.35 p.m. R6 9 Our Abbadean (5 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights) - Cameron Lammas; spelled after impressively winning the FLAIR Rating 75 2200 metres in April at Te Rapa, had a quiet trial recently at Te Teko, and resumes in the $30,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Before her last win she finished solidly for fourth in the Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) at Trentham. From a wide draw (11), she will be ridden patiently and finding the line with gusto would be encouraging. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.80.

4.10 p.m. R7 4 Splurge (5 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Opie Bosson; trialled well for third over 1000 metres on 14 September at Avondale, held up a touch thereafter by heavy tracks, and resumes in the $70,000 Sweynesse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). The winner of seven from 13 starts, including the Darley Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Ellerslie, he can act fresh and should receive a lovely trip from barrier four from which to mount his challenge. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.40.

4.45 p.m. R8 3 Princess Davone (5 m Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Tegan Newman (a4); kept up a bold finish for third, galloping on solidly after the line, when trialling over 1000 metres on 26 September at Te Teko, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 75 1215 metres. Ideally weighted, with a claim to 53kgs, she won here over 1400 metres at her only course attempt, scored twice over 1200 metres in a fresh state, and can prove competitive in a strong field with luck in running from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00.

4.45 p.m. R8 6 Don'tblamethemusic (4 g Coats Choice - Blame the Music) - Opie Bosson; displayed natural talent at the trials before winning both his race day outings (1200m) last season and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 75 1215 metres. Although lining up without a trial, he has pleased in training gallops and could prove somewhat of a surprise package from barrier four. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.15.

Ashburton:

As on Friday 20 October the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail true. No rain forecast.

12.22 p.m. R3 4 Imperium (6 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Michael McNab; lost his chance when bungling the start on 7 October in the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) at Riccarton, following a fresh-up win when coming from last in the Rating 75 1600 metres on the same course. On a path towards another tilt at the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m), a race in which he finished third last year, he won here over 2100 metres in October last year at his only start on this track and certainly appears competitive under 55.5kgs in the $30,000 Rating 85 2100 metres. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.35.

2.40 p.m. R7 2 Age of Fire (3 c Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Michael McNab; got the job done when favourite in the Inglewood Stud Guineas' Trial (1400 metres) on 7 October at Riccarton, with McNab aboard, and contests the $70,000 Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400 metres). He has continued to thrive since arriving in the south and although Prom Queen ($1.60) dominates the market he should receive the type of trip from barrier two, just behind the leaders, to capitalize. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $1.65.

4.29 p.m. R10 11 Heart of Courage (3 g Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Michael McNab; travelled handily and finished a close third after jogging up to lead a furlong out in the Maiden 1400 metres on 7 October at Riccarton, with McNab aboard. With a tongue tie on and plan to ride him more patiently in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres, the prospect of surer footing should also aid his chances of threatening.