Te Akau Awapuni Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Wednesday 1 March at Awapuni.  

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 2 metres 1400m - 400m, remainder true (outside bend). Showers forecast Tuesday, no rain Wednesday. 

2:08 p.m. R1 14 Mehzebeen (3 f Almanzor - Salkantay) - Opie Bosson; she got back clear last before running the fastest last 600m (35.7) in the Maiden 1800 metres on 30 December at Taupo, and has been given time (35 days) since her solid fifth in the Maiden 2000 metres on 25 January at Matamata. Ideally drawn in the $15,000 Maiden 2200 metres, she has first four claims. 

2:45 p.m. R2 1 Fellini (3 g Belardo - Silke Top) - Opie Bosson; he came off the bridle at the 500m before rallying well for a close fifth in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 17 February at New Plymouth, and contests the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres. He carries the top weight (58.5kg) in an even field, but possesses genuine attributes and appears set to improve.

3:55 p.m. R4 1 Markus Aurelius (6 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Niranjan Parmar (a2); he rounded off well from last for fourth when resuming in the Open 1200 metres on 5 February at Tauranga, won by stable-mate and subsequent winner Brando (Savabeel), and contests the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. With the claim he carries the same weight (60kg) and should race in this small but select field if appreciative of the course at first attempt. 

3:55 p.m. R4 5 On the Bubbles (4 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles) - Opie Bosson; he was without room at a critical moment when finishing fifth in the Rating 88 1200 metres on 10 February at Hastings, and contests the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. The winner of two from three on course, including his debut and later the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), he rates a top three chance. 

4:27 p.m. R5 11 Puketiro (3 f Savabeel - Matakana) - Opie Bosson; she raced clear to win by three lengths when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 30 December at Taupo, but languished late on Soft7 in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa. She has shown to have a class factor, is ideally drawn (2), and looks a top three prospect in the $30,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. 

5:34 p.m. R7 2 Family Ties (3 f Contributer - Glamazon) - Opie Bosson; she capped good efforts with an impressive victory in the Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m) on 4 February at New Plymouth, and contests the $120,000 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m). She presents as a top three proposition with any luck from her wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.55. 

5:34 p.m. R7 9 Sealed With A Kiss (3 f Tarzino - Postmans Daughter) - Sam Weatherley; she finished a close seventh after trailing in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 10 February at Hastings, and steps up in the $120,000 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m). Barrier three ensures she will receive an economical trip and she is presented with the opportunity to race well if handles the step up in distance. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.50.