Te Akau Monday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing on Monday 2 January at Tauranga, and Tauherenikau.

Tauranga:

As on Sunday 1 January the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. 2.5mls forecast race day.

1.20 p.m. R1 3 Chambord (6 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Opie Bosson; returned to winning form with a big run from last in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 10 December at Awapuni, after having no room in the straight when resuming prior in the Rating 85 1100 metres at Ellerslie. Increasing two-kilos to carry 56kgs in the $15,000 Open 1400 metres he has drawn sweetly in barrier two, and having found the recipe for success could again prove difficult for his four rivals to topple.

Tauherenikau:

As on Sunday 1 January the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail true. 4mls forecast 1 January, 1ml race day.

3.27 p.m. R5 2 Affinee (4 m Exceed and Excel - Household) - Rosie Myers; was given a freshen-up since last racing and resumes off 75 days in the Rating 65 1000 metres. A winner from in front when debuting on good footing over 1000 metres in April at Blenheim, she has a few gear changes, including ear covers on, and the ability at best to acquit herself in this field.

4.01 p.m. R6 11 Zip Zap (3 f Stravinsky - Miss Zapper) - Masa Tanaka; showed to have improved when doing her best work through the line fresh-up in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 14 December at Matamata, and the step up in distance appears ideal in the Maiden 1300 metres. Drawn barrier four, a favourable trip should allow her an each way chance in this field.

4.36 p.m. R7 4 Colorado Prince (3 g Alamosa - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Hayden Tinsley; is a half-brother to stakes winning stable-mates Darci's Dream and Windborne, both by Darci Brahma (Danehill), and makes his debut from barrier five in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. He kept up a pleasing gallop to finish third when trialling over 1200 metres on 13 December at Te Aroha, and looks to have inherited some family ability.