Te Akau New Plymouth Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing on Thursday 6 December at New Plymouth.

As on Wednesday 5 December the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail true. 4mls rain forecast overnight, no rain during the meeting.

2.12 p.m. R2 7 Burgundy Belle (3 f Burgundy - Spin ‘N Grin) - Shafiq Rusof; looked good winning both her trials in November, over 800m and 1000m respectively, and debuts from barrier two in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. While her sire won five stakes races and finished third in the Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m), dam Spin ‘N Grin (Spinning World) was also a very smart performer, winning the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) and second in the Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.30.

2.47 p.m. R3 2 Te Akau Dragon (3 g Power - Cool Diamond) - Jason Waddell; ran home strongly to win a trial on rain-affected going in August at Te Teko, and his fourth recently was very cosy when trialling at Matamata. From a young mare and closely related to Group Two and multiple stakes' winner Gift of Power (Power), he appears set for a bold debut effort in the $10,000 Maiden 1100m. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.40.

3.22 p.m. R4 3 Together (4 m Ocean Park - More to Love) - Shafiq Rusof; came from well back with a strong finish for third when resuming here in the Maiden 1100 metres on 23 November, running her final 600m in a very competitive 34.7. She looks above average and any improvement should make her hard to beat in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.25.

4.37 p.m. R6 5 Enduring Love (3 f Camelot - Holy Moly) - Shafiq Rusof; fought solidly for fourth behind big winner Queen of Diamonds (Savabeel) in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres on 25 November at Te Rapa. Sting out of the ground and ideally drawn (5) should see her race well in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.00.

5.12 p.m. R7 11 Qiji Crystal (3 f Per Incanto - Moss Lady) - Shafiq Rusof; staged a big effort for third after being awkwardly away when trialling on 1 November at Te Aroha, and worked home well for fourth on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 15 November at Awapuni. Suited by stepping in distance for the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres, she appears an each way prospect from barrier five. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

5.47 p.m. R8 1 Motivation (4 g Mastercraftsman - Tenacity) - Shafiq Rusof; continued his solid form when finishing third off a wide run in the Rating 72 1600 metres on 13 November at Te Aroha, and drops in grade for the $10,000 Rating 65 1800 metres. Drawn barrier six, his best would be hard to beat. Fixed odds: $2.05 & $1.09.