Te Akau Te Rapa Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing on Wednesday 1 March at Te Rapa.

As on Tuesday 28 February the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 4 metres. 1.5mls rain forecast Tuesday and 1ml Wednesday afternoon.

12.18 p.m. R2 3 Cousteau (2 c Exceed and Excel - Maritime) - Opie Bosson; was solid through the line when trialling over 800 metres in December at Te Aroha, and produced a good effort off a wide run for fifth, running his final 600m in a respectable 34.1, when debuting on the same course in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 9 February. With natural improvement from the experience, he rates an each way chance from barrier five in the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres.

1.28 p.m. R4 2 Grazia (4 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Opie Bosson; produced another genuine performance for third, up in grade and distance in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 10 February at New Plymouth, after breaking through with a big win over a mile on 12 January at Wanganui. Eligible for the $11,500 bonus in the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Rating 65 2100m, she has visor blinkers on and should give a good account with an economical trip from barrier five.

2.38 p.m. R6 7 Unfazed (3 f Zabeel - Faze) - Opie Bosson; was out of kilter last time out over a mile at Te Aroha, after racing away to win the Maiden 1400 metres by nearly four lengths on 18 January at Rotorua. The addition of ear covers should help her relax in the Rating 65 1400 metres and having shown what she is capable of a much improved performance is expected.

3.52 p.m. R8 4 Wide Awake (3 g Savabeel - Kay's Awake) - Opie Bosson; got back on a muddling pace and did well to finish fourth, in a close contest for the minors, after running his last 600m in 34.1 on 8 February in the Maiden 1500 metres at Ellerslie. He resumed prior with a strong finish for second, clocking the fastest final 600m (34.5), in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 25 January Avondale. Drawn barrier six in the Maiden 1600 metres, with visor blinkers on, he was eye-catching when finishing third here on debut at his only course attempt and appears a strong chance in this field.