Te Akau Awapuni Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Friday 14 April at Awapuni.

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out 4 metres. 4mls rain forecast Thursday and no rain Friday. 

1:22 p.m. R2 4 Accidental Tourist (3 g Telperion - Megara) - Michael McNab; he closed well down the outside for fourth in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and he contests the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres. He trialled after being slow away and bucking in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 15 March at Matamata, having produced two good thirds prior, and receives the chance today to atone.

1:22 p.m. R2 5 Merlotti (3 g Burgundy - Ruppertsberg) - Opie Bosson; he won easily at the trials on 7 March at Rotorua, and resumed winning by four lengths in the Maiden 1200 metres on 18 March at Tauranga. While he is stepping up in class for the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres, he is ideally drawn (2) and brings the right form to handle it. 

2:32 p.m. R4 3 Wairau Cove (4 g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Opie Bosson; he prevailed narrowly after a tough battle in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 25 February at Otaki, but found the Heavy10 going too testing in the corresponding event on 18 March at Tauranga. He meets an even field in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, but possesses the ability have first four claims with a decent trip from barrier nine. 

3:08 p.m. R5 8 Believe It Or Not (3 g Star Witness - Believe You Me) - Opie Bosson; he cost his chances by beginning slowly in his prior two outings, but came from seventh and sustained a strong finish to win the Maiden 1200 metres on 29 March at Matamata. He is up in grade here for the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, but he seems capable of another bold showing if he secures any luck from the wide draw (13). 

3:08 p.m. R5 11 Puzzle Solved (3 f Rubick - Sandownboulevard) - Wiremu Pinn (a); he raced away by four and a half lengths to win the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa, has been given time (70 days), and resumes without a trial in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Beautifully bred, she shapes to race well again. 

4:17 p.m. R7 2 Aromatic (6 m Sacred Falls - Vickezzchardonnay) - Opie Bosson; she was without all favours when running the fastest last 600m (33.1) in the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) last Saturday at Pukekohe, and contests the $85,000 Martin Collins NZ Manawatu Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m). She won the Counties Cup (Gr. 2, 2100m) last November, brings a good course record into this assignment, and rates a top three chance with a decent trip from barrier 11. 

4:50 p.m. R8 6 Spellcraft (3 g Savabeel - Bewitching) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he led and found plenty to win with a handy buffer in the Maiden 1600 metres on 1 April at Avondale, and steps up in the $30,000 Rating 1600 metres. He is enjoying good form and is placed to race well again. 

4:50 p.m. R8 12 She's Outrageous (4 m Reliable Man - She's Insatiable) - Opie Bosson; she was pushed up in midfield before hitting the line okay when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 March at Matamata. Likely to be improved for that run, she flew home to win her Maiden over 1600 metres and is capable of a solid performance from barrier seven in the $30,000 Rating 1600 metres.