Te Akau Sunday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing at two venues on Sunday 27 December .

Rotorua:

As on Thursday 24 December the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail true.

3.17 p.m. R5 8 Our Drahma Queen (4 m Darci Brahma - Queen Cha Cha) - Matt Cameron; backed up a good 1400-metre maiden win with a solid effort for third in the next grade and increases in distance to contest the Rating 65 1560 metres. The assignment seems ideal and she appears a solid chance - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

3.17 p.m. R5 11 Maestro (5 g Encosta De Lago - Miss Scarlatti) - Michael Coleman; rallied for fifth when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on Dec. 3 at New Plymouth, and although destined to go further, once into a campaign, he should be closing off strongly into the first five.

4.27 p.m. R7 10 Vinevale (3 f Flying Spur - Eden Valley) - Matt Cameron; was impressive winning the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on debut at Avondale, and eligible for the $11,500 bonus she now contests the $12,000 Rating 65 NZB Pearl Series 1400 metres. Drawn the ace, she has the potential to make it two from two.

New Plymouth:

As on Friday 25 December the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 2 metres 800m - 400m and remainder true.

1.14 p.m. R1 2 Bon Marche (4 g Nom Du Jeu - Las Vegas Lass) - Lisa Allpress; worked home solidly for third to stable-mate Hushed (Don Eduardo) in the Maiden 2000 metres on Dec. 10 at Hastings, with this rider aboard, and in a field of only five he can force the issue.

2.59 p.m. R4 3 Zambezi Warrior (3 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Cameron Lammas; was turned out for a spell after producing an encouraging debut run for fifth on Sept. 9 in the Maiden 1400 metres at Te Rapa, and following a tidy trial he resumes off 109 days in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. Out of a Zabeel mare, from triple group one winner Tall Poppy (Kaapstad), he shapes as a lovely staying prospect, and with blinkers on can make his presence felt in this field.

3.34 p.m. R5 5 Bishop Rock (3 c Fastnet Rock - Festival Princess) - Cameron Lammas; recorded a dominant win on Oct. 17 over a mile at Ashburton, but over-raced when up in class to contest the $400,000 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) won by stable-mate Xtravagant (Pentire) at Riccarton, and was freshened. He trialled up well over 1200 metres at Te Aroha, has blinkers off to resume after 50 days in the Rating 65 1400 metres and rates a top five chance.