Te Akau Awapuni Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses racing on Saturday 24 November at Awapuni.

As on race morning the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 3 metres. Showers forecast during the meeting.

12.25 p.m. R1 2 Qian Gua (4 g Cape Blanco - Cool Diamonds) - Lisa Allpress; ran a very good race, after leading, for second in the Rating 72 1800 metres on 2 November at New Plymouth, where it took a top performance by subsequent four-length Waverley Cup (2200m) winner Glory Days (Red Giant) to beat him. Drawn barrier five in the $25,000 Rating 72 2100 metres, he meets some talented opponents amongst a field of nine and looks a top three chance again. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.75.

1.00 p.m. R2 1 Total Excess (3 g Delago Deluxe - Avail) - Nik Bakar (a4); was scratched at the barrier when resuming in October at Trentham, but fine in the gates and never off the bridle when finishing second at the trials on 8 November at Cambridge. He recorded a terrific debut win in March at Hastings, Maiden 2YO 1200 metres, and certainly appears competitive claiming to 53.5kgs in the $25,000 3YO 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.10.

3.26 p.m. R6 1 Chance to Dance (9 g Teofilo - Crystal Ballet) - Nik Bakar (a4); resumes in the $35,000 Bulls Country Cup (Open, 1600m). A dual stakes winner of the Karaka Classic (Listed, 1600m) and OMF Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) last season, he has won nine races (seven from 2000m - 2400m) and with weight relief to 59kgs his effort should give a good line on future staying events. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.75.