Te Akau Ashburton Thursday Preview
Date: 3 Apr 2024
Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Thursday 4 April at Ashburton.
Ashburton:
Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast Thursday.
1:50 p.m. R5 6 Sailing Away (3 g Merchant Navy – Anchovy) – Warren Kennedy; he worked home fine while holding his position in a trial on 19 March at Riccarton, and resumes in the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres. He found the line for third over 1200 metres in December at Timaru, and is looking for similar performance but he needs to overcome his wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.
2:25 p.m. R6 4 Can’t Kach Me (4 m Tavistock – Kachina) – Warren Kennedy; she finished strongly for third in the Maiden 2000 metres on 23 February at Riccarton, and circled from the rear for second in the $18,500 Maiden 2200 metres here on 14 March. Contesting the corresponding event, unfortunately she is another that is awkwardly drawn (9) but she still rates a top three prospect nonetheless. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.25.
3:00 p.m. R7 12 Our Milly Bee (4 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Warren Kennedy; she found the line belatedly in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 7 March and suffered the consequences of a wide trip in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 23 March, both at Riccarton. Stepping up in the $18,500 Rating 65 2200 metres, she won her Maiden at 1600 metres, and is aided by a handy draw (4). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.
3:35 p.m. R8 8 Valorious (3 g Heroic Valour – Maputo Express) – Warren Kennedy; he was held together while running home solidly for third in a trial on 19 March at Riccarton, and resumes in the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres. He won easily on debut over 1200 metres in December at Riccarton (poly track), has the gate speed to overcome his wide draw (10), and is capable of a bold showing - one of a stable duo contesting the race. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.
3:35 p.m. R8 12 French Rose (4 m Burgundy – Paraiba) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she remained midfield in the $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres here on 14 March, and contests the corresponding event. A consistent type, she seeks improvement if she can garner a decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.
4:10 p.m. R9 1 Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Donovan Cooper (a3); he defended his title in the White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m) in February at Wingatui, and resumed with a very good second in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 23 March at Riccarton, ridden by Cooper. Contesting the $25,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres, the apprentice engagement brings weight relief to 59kg, and he is well positioned to prove competitive with - yes again - any luck from barrier nine - the first of two for the team in the event. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.
4:10 p.m. R9 4 Millefiori (5 m Iffraaj – Miss Bluebell) – Warren Kennedy; he ran the fastest last 600m (31.7) on the day for second in the Open Handicap 1100 metres on 10 February at Riccarton, and got home very well for third in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here on 14 March. She rates a top three chance in the $25,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.
5:20 p.m. R11 11 Inca Belle (4 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Warren Kennedy; she got back last from an outside gate (10) but still finished off tidily in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 9 March at Trentham. Racing well, she is a winner over 1400 metres, and is perfectly drawn (1) to have first four claims in the $18,500 Rating 75 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.
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