Te Akau Awapuni Synthetic Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Friday 7 July at Awapuni.

Weather: fine, track: poly-track, rail: true. 

12:12 p.m. R1 1 Al Malik (3 g Zoustar - Mumtazaah) - Michael McNab; he circled with a strong finish for a close fourth in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 5 June at Hastings, and has since rounded off solidly for second in a trial on 27 June at Cambridge (poly-track). He rates a top three chance despite drawing wide (11) in the $14,000 Maiden 1400 metres.

12:47 p.m. R2 3 Stonybreck (3 g Tavistock - Fair Isle) - Michael McNab; he strode clear late to win stylishly when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 16 June, and steps up in the $14,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. A dual winner on poly-track, expect to see him deliver a top three finish. 

1:22 p.m. R3 4 Taviarma (3 f Tavistock - Veearma) - Michael McNab; she did well for second when resuming on Heavy10 footing in the Pearl Series Maiden 1200 metres on 7 June at Matamata, but found the going too testing in the Maiden 1400 metres on 17 June at Te Rapa. Runner-up in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) on debut, she should go well in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres if appreciative of the poly-track at her first attempt. 

1:57 p.m. R4 2 Ragamuffin (4 g Belardo - Short Tale) - Jonathan Riddell; he fought hard for sixth in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 17 June at Te Rapa, following a good third, and contests the $14,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He was a trial winner on the poly-track as two-year-old, and he shapes to race well from barrier four - one of two in the event for the stable. 

1:57 p.m. R4 7 Redsheis (3 f Burgundy - Show No Emotion) - Michael McNab; she finished fourth and third respectively on the poly-track at Cambridge, before producing a powerful run to easily win the Maiden 1200 metres here on 16 June. She is expected to race well again but will require luck from the wide draw (11) in the $14,000 Rating 65 1200 metres.

2:31 p.m. R5 1 Pokuru Show (3 g Vadamos - Mystery Show) - Johnathan Parkes; he has been racing solidly on the poly-track with a second and two fourths from his last three starts, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1000 metres. He looks a top three prospect, jumping from barrier six - in a race with two stablemates lining up. 

2:31 p.m. R5 5 French Rose (3 f Burgundy - Paraiba) - Michael McNab; she was unable to quicken in the Maiden 970 metres on 14 June at Cambridge, and today receives the chance to improve from a handy gate (3) in the $14,000 Maiden 1000 metres.

3:06 p.m. R6 2 Primo Vino (3 g Savabeel - Vinorules) - Jonathan Riddell; he finished well for a close third in the Maiden 2000 metres on 14 June at Cambridge (poly-track), and contests the $14,000 Maiden 2140 metres. He brings the form to present as a top three contender, the first of two in the event for the stable. 

3:06 p.m. R6 7 Star In The Sky (3 f Savabeel - Pikari Star) - Michael McNab; she finished strongly for third given her wide trip in the Maiden 1700 metres here on 16 June, and steps up in the $14,000 Maiden 2140 metres. From barrier five, she brings the form to put herself in the finish. 

3:37 p.m. R7 3 Treaty of Paris (3 g Tavistock - Echezeaux) - Michael McNab; he capped off solid form when winning by nearly eight lengths in the Maiden 2000 metres on 28 June at Cambridge (poly-track), and contests the $14,000 Rating 65 2140 metres. He looks well placed to deliver a podium finish.

4:12 p.m. R8 1 Navalha (5 g Sebring - Afiado) - Michael McNab; he showed improvement with a good finish for second in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 16 June, and steps up in the $14,000 Rating 65 1700 metres. He rates a top three chance from barrier two.