Te Akau Avondale Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses entered for the eight-race programme on Anzac Day, Friday April 25, at Avondale.

As on Thursday April 24 the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail true.

1:52pm R2 5 Maestro (3 g Encosta De Lago - Miss Scarlatti) - Kelly Myers; was late clear off the trail when finishing solidly for second on April 3 in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres at Otaki, having recorded a good second on debut prior at Matamata. Stepping up to a mile from barrier one in the Maiden 1600 metres is an ideal scenario and his progress in training suggests he could break through.

2:22pm R3 12 Merrily (3 f O'Reilly - Mchappy) - Rory Hutchings; resumes off 98-days in the Maiden 1200 metres. The way she surged home stylishly for third over 1200 metres on debut indicated she could act in a fresh state and although unable to trial through cancellations there are factors in her favour to produce a bold showing from barrier eight. She has strong form around her and the services of an inform rider.

2:53pm R4 15 Seline (3 f Pentire - Dion) - Kelly Myers; was freshened up following a solid three start campaign, which saw her record a third and two fourths up to a mile, and she contests the Maiden 1400 metres off 79-days. She missed a scheduled trial when rain forced the abandonment of the trials at Cambridge, has drawn very wide, and will take good improvement for the run. But, she is a promising type of filly and indicated with a stylish effort on debut that she can act fresh.

3:56pm R6 12 Stylee (4 m Pins - Arletty) - Kelly Myers; circled widest from back in the field and closed off stylishly late in the piece for fourth on April 2 in the Benchmark 65 1600 metres at Matamata. She has indicated in her racing pattern that a step up in distance would suit and gets her first opportunity in the Benchmark 65 2100 metres. With this rider aboard, she made good ground resuming over 1400 metres in December and appears capable of figuring prominently following an economical trip from barrier five.

4:31pm R7 8 Urban Angel (5 m Savabeel - Tutuland) - Vinny Colgan; following an eye-catching third fresh up in the Benchmark 85 1400 metres at Tauranga, she was doing her best work at the line for third on April 12 in the Benchmark 75 1600 metres at Ellerslie. Drawn barrier one in the Benchmark 85 1600 metres, she has a gear change of wearing blinkers for the first time. Unlucky at times not to have notched more victories, her wins have each been recorded at a mile, and a performance exuding extra flare would not surprise - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

4:31pm R7 9 Milan Miss (4 m Darci Brahma - Falaniella) - Kelly Myers; spelled following two wins from four starts in her last campaign, she resumes off 138-days from the outside barrier in a field of eleven. Rated 71 and racing outside her rightful grade, staying is her forte and competing in this race will give trainer Jason Bridgman a good line in regard to stepping up in distance next time out.

5:01pm R8 10 Clos De Tart (4 m Darci Brahma - Rapid Kay) - Danielle Johnson; has had two trials in preparation to resume off 164-days from barrier two in the Benchmark 65 1400 metres. A winner on debut over 1200 metres on April 24 last year at Te Aroha, she ran out a strong trial for second recently and stems from a family that has shown to act in a fresh state and impress with give in the ground.