Te Akau ANZAC Day Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing on Anzac Day, Wednesday 25 April: Avondale and Awapuni.

Avondale:

As on Tuesday 24 April the conditions were: cloudy and Slow7, rail out 4.5 metres. No rain forecast.

3.29 p.m. R5 16 Seirios (3 g Pierro - Irish Lights) - Michael McNab; went to the line with more to offer when finishing fourth in a 1000-metre trial here on 3 April, and resumes from barrier seven in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. A product of five time Group One winning sire Pierro (Lonhro) and Thousand Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) victor Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock), he has the pedigree to step up.

3.59 p.m. R6 8 Ritzy Sparkle (2 f Pins - Kumari) - Cameron Lammas; was an impressive recent trial winner at Waipa, with Lammas aboard, travelling sweetly in front and extended a three length margin to seven and a half lengths at the line. Drawn the ace (1) on debut in the $14,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance 2YO Fillies 1200 metres, she meets a couple of smart opponents with race day experience and victories but could hardly have been more compelling at the trials.

Awapuni:

As on Tuesday 24 April the conditions were: showery and Slow7, rail out 4 & 5 metres. No rain forecast.

1.44 p.m. R2 1 Qian Cheng (3 g Artie Schiller - Alpine Belle) - Shafiq Rusof; closed to half a length when finishing second fresh-up on 5 April in the Maiden 1200 metres at New Plymouth, with Shafiq aboard, after winning a trial on 20 March at Taupo. Drawn barrier three in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres, with the addition of side winkers, he appears a solid each way chance.

2.14 p.m. R3 9 Tiffany's Time (4 m Alamosa - Tinsel Time) - Tegan Newman (a3); last raced on New Zealand Cup Day, 17 November at Riccarton, in the Rating 75 1400 metres, and following a recent preparatory trial she resumes in the $11,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Coming of age during her spring campaign, winning over 1400 metres, with weight relief to 53kgs she should be finding the line before stepping up in distance. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.90.

3.44 p.m. R6 6 Bojangles (4 g Roc de Cambes - Stever House) - Shafiq Rusof; is a newcomer to the stable, resuming off 158 days in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. A fresh-up Maiden winner over 1300 metres on heavy ground, competing up to 2100 metres, he trialled solidly on 3 April at Avondale, and ideally placed to produce a cheeky run first up.