Te Akau Cambridge Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses on Tuesday 12 January at Cambridge.  The footing was rated Dead5, rail true.

Heat 1 2YO 630 metres (½ head, ¾ lengths 36.8)

Corporate Missile (2 f Smart Missile - Corporate - below left) - Cameron Lammas; was tucked in behind the leaders, peeled three off at the 150m and finished in fine style to grab victory on the line.

2 f Savabeel - Catalina - Muhammad Hanafi - below right; was caught three wide on the pace from a wide barrier, but held together and rounded off in good heart for a close third.

Heat 2 2YO 630 metres (¾ lengths, short head 37.2)

2 f Murtajill - Forbetterforworse - Matt Cameron (below); missed the start by a length before settling fourth of four and rounded off solidly for third after ranging on the home turn.

Heat 4 2YO 800 metres (short neck, 4 lengths 47.5)

Leonessa (2 f Pour Moi - Lioness) - Matt Cameron (below); tracked the first two in running, was out after the leader as the pair drew clear at the 150m and sustained a strong finish for a close second.

Heat 10 2YO 935 metres (4 ½ lengths, short neck 54.7)

Heroic Valour (2 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Michael McNab (below & main pic); trailed in third from barrier one. He stood the leader, Caorunn (Showcasing), four lengths at the 400m and ran home strongly, under a hold, for third. It was a very good trial and form line behind one of the Karaka Million favourites.

Heat 15 Maiden 935 metres (2 ½ lengths, long head 55.9)

3 f Saperavi - Primo Quest - Matt Cameron (below); was eased for cover off a wide gate to settle at the rear, stood the leader six lengths at the 600m and after circling widest on the home turn she held her position in the run home and looked to want further.

Heat 18 Open 1200 metres (½ a length, short head 1:12.9)

Princess Davone (3 f Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Michael McNab (below); was held together on the inside of the leader, kicked when the pace quickened on straightening and sustained a strong run under her own steam for a close third. It was a very good trial.

Heat 19 Open 1200 metres (1 ¼ lengths, ½ head 1:12.4)

Thetruthisoutthere (3 f Starcraft - Absolute Faith) - Matt Cameron (below - green colours); was caught wide, but travelled comfortably, near the pace. She was flushed wider on straightening and rounded off for fourth in quite a strong trial field.

Heat 20 Open 1200 metres (head, 1 ¼ lengths 1:13.5)

Cathedral Cove (4 g Zabeel - Thistle Cove) - Matt Cameron (below); began well before steadying to settle a distant third. He stood the leader eight lengths at the 600m, as the pace increased, and did his best work through the line over the sprint distance - more ground required.