Te Akau Inter-Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 14 horses entered on Saturday 4 February: New Plymouth, and Wingatui. 

New Plymouth: 

Weather: showery, track: Soft7, rail: true. 5mls rain forecast Friday, 11mls Saturday.

1:55 p.m. R3 1 Freeze Frame (3 g Vadamos - Snow Petal) - Opie Bosson; he ran home in the fastest last 600m (35.1) on the day for a debut second in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 23 December and showed a good turn of foot on Heavy10 footing to win the corresponding race on 11 January, both at Matamata. Ideally drawn (2) in the $30,000 Special Conditions 1400 metres, he rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.40.

2:28 p.m. R4 2 Malborough Bay (3 g Darci Brahma - Spin ‘N Grin) - Opie Bosson; he ran on from last when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 1 January at Te Rapa, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Stakes' placed over 1600 metres, give in the ground and the increased trip aid his prospects to rate a top four prospect. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:04 p.m. R5 2 Sky On Fire (2 f Exceed and Excel - Elusive Meteor) - Craig Zackey; she capped two seconds with victory in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) during Cup Week at Riccarton - the eighth in the event for Te Akau, and resumed with a solid fourth in the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m) on 14 January at Trentham. She possesses the pace to get handy and has first four claims in the $85,000 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) - one of a stable trio of fillies contesting the juvenile feature. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20. 

3:04 p.m. R5 3 Rubicon Crossing (2 f Rubick - Miss Foxwood) - Michael McNab; she finished second off a tough run to stable-mate Sky On Fire (above) in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) and was second again when resuming without a trial in the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m) on 14 January at Trentham. She rates a top three chance in the $85,000 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m). Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.40. 

3:04 p.m. R5 8 She Turns Heads (2 f Headwater - Convene) - Opie Bosson; she finished runner-up in all three starts before posting a notable sixth to stable-mate Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin) in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) - the seventh consecutive for Te Akau - on 21 January at Pukekohe. She has the right form to present as a top three chance in the $85,000 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m). Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.70.

3:38 p.m. R6 8 Self Obsession (4 m Shocking - Mawaakib) - Michael McNab; she was back showing toughness when second in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 1 January at Te Rapa, and contests the $100,000 Denis Wheeler Earth Moving Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 1800m). She tied with stable-mate Belle En Rouge (Burgundy) for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title last season. She prefers reasonable footing, however has the right record to deliver a top three finish - the first of two Te Akau mares contesting the event. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.45. 

3:38 p.m. R6 9 Belle of the Ball (4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Craig Zackey; she scorched home for victory in the Thames Cup (Rating 75 1600 metres) on 3 January at Matamata, and was enormous finishing second to stable-mate Belle En Rouge (mentioned above) in the Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 14 January at Trentham. She rates a serious top three contender in the $100,000 Denis Wheeler Earth Moving Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 1800m). Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.55.

4:13 p.m. R7 4 Family Ties (3 f Contributer - Glamazon) - Opie Bosson; she finished back in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 1 January at Te Rapa, but ran the fastest last 600m (35.4) getting home for fifth in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 25 January at Matamata. Ideally drawn (2) in the $65,000 Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m), she is capable of a first four finish. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

4:13 p.m. R7 12 Elegant Lady (3 f Highly Recommended - Lady Masako) - Michael McNab; she ran the fastest last 600m (35.6) with a big run for second in the Maiden 1600 metres on 3 January at Matamata, and finished second again in the Maiden 3YO 1600 metres on 18 January at Te Rapa. Racing well, she appears capable of a bold performance but will need luck from her wide draw (14) in the $65,000 Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00. 

4:48 p.m. R8 15 Aquilo (5 g Frankel - Stormy Lucy) - Opie Bosson; he ran home well for second off an economical trip in the Rating 60 1600 metres on 3 January at Matamata, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1800 metres. He seems to be improving, but he too requires luck from his difficult draw (11). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80. 

Wingatui:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 2 metres 800m to 400m, remainder true. No rain forecast.

2:10 p.m. R5 7 Romancing The Moon (3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a); she fought hard for fourth in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and resumed with an easy victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 3 January at Matamata. She worked early and fought hard for sixth to stable-mate Cognito (So You Think) in the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 14 January at Trentham, and rates a top three chance in the $80,000 Nellies Bar & Restaurant Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m). Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.25. 

3:19 p.m. R7 8 Illicit Miss (4 m Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a); she got back before finishing sixth in the Rating 87 2200 metres on 21 January at Pukekohe, and contests the $80,000 Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m). A winner over 2500 metres during Cup Week at Riccarton, she seems capable of good showing with an y rub of the green from her very wide draw (16). Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

4:29 p.m. R9 1 Prise De Fer (7 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Jason Laking; he followed a brilliant victory in the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Trentham, with a determined second in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. Racing in terrific form, he warrants favouritism in the $100,000 White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m) - one of two for the stable. Fixed odds: $1.70 & $1.15. 

4:29 p.m. R9 3 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he resumed with an eye-catching effort for third in the Timaru Stakes (Listed, 1400m) last Saturday at Riccarton, and contests the $100,000 White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m). He charged home to win the Coupland's Bakeries Mile Prelude (Open, 1400m), before delivering a notable fifth in the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 3, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and can be right in the finish with a decent trip from barrier nine in the $100,000 White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.00.