Te Akau Inter-Island Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Wednesday 5 April: Tauranga and Ashburton. 

Tauranga:

Weather: fine track: Soft5, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast.

11:58 a.m. R1 1 Cyclonic King (2 g Exceed and Excel - Lady Krovanh) - Sam Weatherley; he sustained a strong finish for second to subsequent winner Farravallo (Belardo) at the trials on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. He has produced solid form among his four prior starts and rates a top three chance from barrier two. 

11:58 a.m. R1 8 Egyptian Queen (2 f Zoustar - Hieroglyphics) - Kozzi Asano; she maintained a good gallop for a close second in a trial on 7 March at Rotorua, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. She has looked good through the trials' stage with a win and two seconds, and has the precocity to rate a top three chance from barrier five. 

11:58 a.m. R1 11 Rue de Rivoli (2 f Tivaci - Boulevard) - unfixed; she mounted a big finish for second in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and also makes her debut in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. She finished strongly for first in her previous trial on 7 March at Rotorua, has drawn barrier one, is likely situate behind the leaders and look to round off strongly as a top three player.

11:58 a.m. R1 12 Sense of Timing (2 f Time Test - Pin Up Lae) - Samantha Spratt; she kept up a strong run for a close second in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, won by stable-mate What You Wish For (Embellish) who subsequently finished second on debut to Farravallo (mentioned above). She brings the right trial form to make her presence felt in the finish from the handy gate (3). 

12:34 p.m. R2 10 Firriato (3 f Almanzor - Deliciano) - Craig Grylls; she continued her good form when getting across heels late with a solid bid for fourth in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres on 24 March at New Plymouth. She looks a top three prospect in the corresponding race. 

1:09 p.m. R3 11 Princess Jasmine (3 f Satono Aladdin - She's Insatiable) - Kozzi Asano; she switched to the inner to finish fourth in a trial on 28 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $14,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She had a break in December after contesting the Maiden 3YO 1600 metres here on rain-affected going, and appears capable of solid showing fresh-up from barrier five. 

1:44 p.m. R4 6 Roc Anthem (3 g El Roca - Anthology) - Kozzi Asano; he fought well for second from outside the leader in a trial on 28 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $14,000 Maiden 1400 metres. He is a trial winner on the course and his recent trial efforts suggest he is capable of improvement. 

2:19 p.m. R5 12 Redsheis (3 f Burgundy - Show No Emotion) - Warren Kennedy; she ran on well for third in a trial on 28 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She did little wrong in her first four starts, including recording two thirds, and should race well with any luck from wide draw (15). 

2:54 p.m. R6 12 Shanghai Tang (3 f Savabeel - Maxmara) - Warren Kennedy; she found the line belatedly for fifth when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres on 15 March at Matamata, won by subsequent winning stable-mate Petrucci (I Am Invincible), and contests the $14,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres. She rounded off nicely for third, prior, in a trial on 7 March at Rotorua, and looks to deliver a bold performance however with need a lot to go her way from her wide draw (12). 

4:04 p.m. R8 5 Invincibeel (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Craig Grylls; she was pocketed back in the field before finishing strongly for second in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 8 March at Taupo, and was a close up second in the corresponding event on 24 March at New Plymouth. She is back in trip for the $14,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, but is racing well and presents as a first three chance. 

Ashburton:

Weather: fine track: Heavy8, rail: true. No rain forecast.

4:20 p.m. R9 2 Alminette (3 f Burgundy - High Heels) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she finished second after trailing in the Special Conditions 1400 metres on 18 March at Trentham, and contests the $14,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Rating 65 Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $13,000 bonus). She has done nothing wrong in her short career to date and looks a top three chance despite her wide gate (12).