Te Akau Boxing Day Preview

Te Akau Racing has 18 horses entered on Boxing Day (26 December): Pukekohe, and Otaki.

Pukekohe:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast race day.

12:45 p.m. R1 9 She's Outrageous (4 m Reliable Man - She's Insatiable) - Craig Zackey; she flew home for victory over 1600 metres in October at Matamata, was a notable fourth in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 19 November at Pukekohe, and fought well for fifth in the Rating 65 2200 metres on 10 December at Te Rapa. Up in grade, she rates a top four chance in the $70,000 Rating 75 2200 metres. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.

1:20 p.m. R2 2 Tokyo Tycoon (2 g Satono Aladdin - All About The Coin) - Opie Bosson; he won comfortably off a wide trip in a trial on 3 November at Matamata, and led home a Te Akau trifecta on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 26 November at Te Rapa. One of three in the event for the team, he is handily drawn (3), and rates a top three chance in the $70,000 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.30.

1:20 p.m. R2 3 Rhetorical (2 f Snitzel - Xpression) - Jake Bayliss; she finished third in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, won by stable-mate Sky On Fire (Exceed And Excel) in a Te Akau trifecta. Winner of two from four, she looks a top four prospect in the $70,000 2YO 1100 metres with a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.80.

1:20 p.m. R2 10 Viva Vienna (2 f All Too Hard - Anna of Austria) - Craig Zackey; she fought well for third when debuting in the Maiden 2YO 800 metres on 24 September at Ruakaka, and proved too good after dictating terms in the 2YO 1000 metres on 5 November at Te Rapa. Given time (51 days), she has the speed to help negate a wide draw (11) and rates a top four chance in the $70,000 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.40.

1:55 p.m. R3 7 Belle En Rouge (4 m Burgundy - Cavendish Belle) - Craig Zackey; she failed to handle heavy footing in the Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m) here in November, and received a pass mark from rider Opie Bosson in an exhibition gallop on 17 December at Te Rapa. A brilliant New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner in March at Trentham, she tied for the title of NZB Filly of the Year with stable-mate Self Obsession (Shocking), and has the ability to act fresh in the $80,000 Open 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70.

2:30 p.m. R4 15 Pisco Sour (4 m I Am Invincible - Refreshing) - Michael McNab; she raced well for second in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 26 November at Te Rapa, and contests the $70,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She impressed winning over 1200 metres last season, and requires a decent trip from barrier 10, but has first four claims if appreciative of course at first attempt. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

3:08 p.m. R5 9 Fashion Shoot (5 m Savabeel - High Fashion) - Michael McNab; she ended a very good campaign finishing third in the Canterbury Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and won easily at the trials on 12 December at Avondale. She is racing very well, but requires luck from a wide draw (14) in the $100,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) - the first of a stable trio contesting this feature. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:08 p.m. R5 10 Shepherd's Delight (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Safari Sunset) - Jake Bayliss; she ran out of room near the rail in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 26 November at Te Rapa, and steps up in the $100,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m). She finished second to stable-mate The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) last season, won her Maiden over 1400 metres but needs a ton of luck from her wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.

3:08 p.m. R5 12 Synchronize (4 m Savabeel - Splits) - Craig Zackey; she unwound nicely for second in the same trial as Fashion Shoot (above) at Avondale, and resumes in the $100,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m). She impressed winning over 1400 metres and has the ability to prove competitive if she does thing right from barrier six. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

3:43 p.m. R6 7 Skew Wiff (3 f Savabeel - Starvoia) - Opie Bosson; she did well after blowing the start in the Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) here on 3 December and contests the $150,000 ATR Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m). She impressed winning a Maiden over 1200 metres in October, however has drawn wide (12) but has the ability to prove competitive if she does things right as she has her quirks. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $3.30.

4:18 p.m. R7 1 Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh - Supreme) - Opie Bosson; he made it four from five with an easy victory in the 3YO 1200 metres on 10 December at Te Rapa, after coming from last to win the Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) there in October. Ideally drawn (2) in the $100,000 Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) he rates a top three chance - the first of a Te Akau duo entered. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.35.

4:18 p.m. R7 5 Kabugee (3 g Satono Aladdin - Kabuki) - Craig Grylls; he was never on the track when staging a big effort for fourth in the Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) here on 3 December, and he too contests the $100,000 Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m). He rates a top three chance from barrier six. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.30.

5:28 p.m. R9 1 Prise De Fer (7 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; he unleashed with the fastest final 600m (34.6) to win the Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 26 November at Te Rapa, and backed up week later with a brilliant and well deserved victory in the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Trentham. A course winner at his only attempt, he's drawn barrier four, he warrants favouritism in the $320,000 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m). Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.45.

Otaki:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft7, rail: true. No rain forecast.

1:05 p.m. R2 11 Royalz (3 f Almanzor - Lady Royale) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she was sixth when resuming in the Maiden 1230 metres on 15 November at Rotorua, and contests the $15,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. She possesses a good pedigree, is promising, and should race well with any luck from h4er awkward gate (9). Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.50.

1:40 p.m. R3 1 On the Bubbles (4 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he spelled after racing in September and looked good drawing clear to win a recent trial on Heavy10 going at Avondale. He resumes in the $40,000 Rating 87 1200 metres, carrying top weight (59kg) but is a Group One and Karaka Million 2YO winner. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.30.

2:15 p.m. R4 9 Time Flies (3 g Time Test - Rorippa) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1); he was given a perfect ride to win the Maiden 1050 metres on 29 October at Matamata, and delivered a good effort from last for fourth to stable-mate Inca Belle (Per Incanto) in the 3YO 1200 metres on 26 November at Wanganui. Handily drawn (5) in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, he rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

2:56 p.m. R5 3 Lightning Field (6 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he did well after missing the start when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 December at Hastings, and contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. His four wins were all on soft ground and he's ideally drawn (5) to make an impact - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.30.

2:56 p.m. R5 6 Mohawk Brave (4 g Extreme Choice - Ben's Duchess) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1); he was denied room when running the fastest last 600m (35.0) for third in same race as Lightning Field (above) at Hastings, and despite drawing wide (10) he rates a top three chance in the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.35.