Te Akau Big Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses racing on Saturday 7 November: Te Rapa, Riccarton, Flemington (Melbourne).

Te Rapa:

Weather: overcast, track: Dead6, rail: out 5 metres. Showers forecast.

12.30 p.m. R1 1 Quattro Quinta  (2 g Darci Brahma - Quintette) - Samantha Collett; was professional when winning comfortably on debut in the Maiden 2YO 880 metres on 26 September at Ellerslie. Freshened, he was held together running home stylishly for fourth when trialling on 27 October at Taupo, and contests the $22,500 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO 1000 metres. He appears tough to beat despite drawing the outside (8). Fixed odds: $1.25 & $1.00.

2.52 p.m. R5 3 Excitonic  (4 g Savabeel - Bint Piavonic) - Chelsea Burdan (a2); worked home solidly for fifth when resuming on footing that downgraded to Heavy10 in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 21 October at Matamata. An emphatic Maiden winner on Dead4 over 1400 metres, he receives weight relief to 56.5kgs and has what it takes to threaten from barrier two in the $22,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.25.

2.52 p.m. R5 7 Keke Star  (4 m Shooting To Win - Kekova) - Samantha Collett; recorded an exciting debut win in the Maiden 1000 metres on 13 September at Taupo, before finishing seventh on footing that downgraded to Heavy10 in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 21 October at Matamata. She can bounce back to rate a top four chance in the $22,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.

3.27 p.m. R6 4 Burgundy Belle  (5 m Burgundy - Spin ‘N Grin) - Chelsea Burdan; resumed with a top run for second in the Rating 82 1200 metres on 19 September at Hastings, and produced a strong effort for third in theMatamata Cup (Listed, 1400 metres). She went well in an exhibition gallop on 28 October at Te Aroha, and contests the $50,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m). Placed at her only course attempt, she has a very good record and ideally drawn (2) to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.25.

Riccarton:

Weather: drizzling, track: Dead5, rail: true. Showers forecast.

2.00 p.m. R5 2 Pokuru's Gift  (5 g Rock ‘n' Pop - Pokuru Boxer) - Opie Bosson; followed two seconds at the trials with a fresh-up win in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 9 October at Timaru, and contests the $30,000 Rating 74 1100 metres. A big horse with natural ability and gate speed, he should acquit himself well from barrier three. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.15.

3.45 p.m. R8 1 Need I Say More  (3 g No Nay Never - Bo Bardi) - Opie Bosson; towelled his rivals after leading in the Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 24 October at Te Rapa, and contests the $500,000 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). The winner of four from five, including three stakes' victories, he is fast and strong, provides Te Akau with a chance to make it seven wins in the race and Bosson his eighth. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.

4.25 p.m. R9 1 Equinox (4 g Exceed and Excel - Our Ella Belle) - Rohan Mudhoo (a2); resumed with a win in the Rating 93 1200 metres on 6 September at Wingatui, and did well from last to finish third in the Rating 91 1250 metres on 18 September at Ashburton. Not far away when sixth in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 9 October at Timaru, won by Pokuru's Gift (above), he has been given time (29 days) and contests the $30,000 Rating 74 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

4.25 p.m. R9 3 Summer Monsoon  (6 g Stratum - Princess Narine) - Opie Bosson; was claimed late in the Rating 91 1400 metres on 12 September and staged a big run for second again in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 3 October, both at Riccarton. He fought on after racing handily in the Rating 74 1400 metres on 18 October at Ashburton, and receives a chance to bounce back in the $30,000 Rating 74 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

Flemington:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 7 metres. Occasional showers forecast.

7.00 p.m. (NZ time) R8 8 Melody Belle (6 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Jye McNeil; was back to her brilliant best when defeating Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 3 October and upped the ante winning the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) in spine-tingling fashion on 17 October, both at Hastings. Contesting the $2m Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) for the second time, after a big run for second last year, the dual NZ Horse of the Year, winner of 12 Group 1 races, combines with the latest Melbourne Cup winning jockey and seems primed for another top performance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.60. 

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