Te Akau Boxing Day Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

As on 24 December the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. 2mls rain forecast race day morning.

2.28 p.m. R4 1 Embellish (3 c Savabeel - Bling) - Opie Bosson; provided Te Akau with their sixth 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 11 November at Riccarton, and freshened since he presented in good fettle with race rival and stable-mate Age of Fire (Fastnet Rock) for an exhibition last Wednesday at Matamata. With near enough to an impeccable form line (three wins and a second from four starts), he is the highest rated and accordingly carries top weight (59.5kgs) but remains the one they have to beat. Fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.04.

2.28 p.m. R4 3 Age of Fire (3 c Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Matt Cameron; drew the outside gate (12) and produced a mighty run from the rear for second in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). He looked good at line in the exhibition gallop last week with Embellish (Savabeel), also brings a strong form line (4: 1-2-1) and appears set to run a big race. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.12.

3.38 p.m. R6 1 Chambord (7 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Opie Bosson; was tremendous returning to winning form on 1 December in the Levin Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Otaki, and despite the addition of 5kgs to carry 58.5kgs he was unlucky not to win the J Swap Contractors Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 16 December at Te Rapa. A race won by stable-mate Royal Success (Savabeel). Lumped with more pudding, to carry 60kgs in the $60,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m), it will take a super effort to win, but he appears in the best form of his life and cannot be treated lightly. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.60.

4.48 p.m. R8 11 Gris Dame (3 f Reliable Man - Double Babu) - Cameron Lammas; sustained a big finish to win the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 14 November at Te Aroha, before working home from the rear in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 14 December at Hastings. Facing a hot field in the $100,000 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m), she is a filly destined to appreciate further, but ideally drawn (4) to gain assessment against the best of her age. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $8.00.

5.23 p.m. R9 2 Chance To Dance (8 g Teofilo - Crystal Ballet) - Opie Bosson; fought hard to win the OMF Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) here on Melbourne Cup Day, and following a freshen-up he appeared on song during an exhibition gallop with stable-mate Scrutinize (Savabeel) on 15 December at Tauranga. Suited again by weight-for-age conditions in the $200,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2000m), he is tough and professional and the sort to capitalize on any chinks in the armour of his rivals. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.90.