Te Akau New Year's Day Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has twelve horses racing at two venues on New Year's Day, Friday 1 January.

Ellerslie:

As on Thursday 31 December the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail out 3.5 metres. At present there is 33mls of rain forecast during the meeting.

12.40 p.m. R1 1 Bordeaux (4 g High Chaparral - Our Echezeaux) - Matt Cameron; followed two wins since resuming with a close third on Dec. 19 in the Rating 75 2100 metres at Te Rapa, and has continued to train well. The only horse in the $50,000 Special Conditions 2100 metres to have won twice, and contested a Rating 75 grade race, he certainly brings the right credentials. His racing pattern has been on pace and providing it is not too hotly contested he should be fighting out the finish.

1.18 p.m. R2 3 Chadsdale (4 g Castledale - Geeiliani) - Grant Cooksley; resumed on Dec. 16 with a solid win in the Maiden 1200 metres on the home track at Matamata, with this rider aboard. He faces a steep rise in class for the $50,000 Special Conditions 1400 metres, and a wide draw, but the expectation of a patient ride should see him finding the line solidly.

3.12 p.m. R5 1 Scrutinize (3 c O'Reilly - Legs) - Matt Cameron; was ridden quietly by Chris Johnson and powered home to win first up on 19 December at Awapuni, in the 3YO 1400 metres, and now a $2.10 fixed odds favourite to win the $100,000 Great Northern Guineas (Gr. 2, 1600m). From barrier three, at set weights (56kgs), he is clearly the horse to beat.

4.57 p.m. R8 2 Silverdale (6 g Castledale - Elianto) - Michael Coleman; never really had things go his way on 19 December in the Open 1600 metres at Te Rapa, having finished strongly for third here prior in the $70,000 Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). The field for the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) is very strong and rain-affected footing would assist.

6.17 p.m. R10 8 Shillelagh (4 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Matt Cameron; impressed again on 12 December in the Rating 75 1400 metres at Awapuni, to remain unbeaten in three starts. The TAB have her very short ($3.00 & $1.50) to continue on her merry way in the $50,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. Much will depend on the ride from barrier seventeen, but she certainly has the ability to make it four on end.

Hastings:

As on Thursday 31 December the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail true. At present there is no rain forecast for the meeting.

1.30 p.m. R2 8 Gardenier (3 f Rip Van Winkle - Miss Montjeu) - Johnathon Parkes; makes her debut from barrier one in the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres and eligible for the $11,500 bonus. A half-sister to stable-mate Chambord (Zabeel), who resumes later in the programme, she looked good winning a recent trial and appears ideally placed to rate a top three chance.

2.08 p.m. R3 4 Latin Rose (4 m Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Johnathon Parkes; did the job well when winning the Maiden 1400 metres here on 10 December and up grade she contests the Rating 65 1400 metres from barrier one. She has trained on well and again looks a genuine each way chance in a field of eight.

2.46 p.m. R4 7 O'Know (3 f O'Reilly - Know All) - Leah Hemi (a2); makes her debut from barrier seven in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. She looks in great order and has shown good promise at the trials. Out of a mare by Zabeel (Sir Tristram), from Group One winner Critic (Centaine), she has the size and pedigree to go further but also the ability to be competitive over a sprint trip in a fresh state.

3.23 p.m. R5 3 Arpeggio (4 m Tavistock - Macchiato) - Johnathon Parkes; resumed with an impressive win here on 10 December in the Rating 75 1200 metres, carrying 56kgs, and contests the corresponding event under 57kgs. From barrier one, she should prove hard to beat if breaks come her way at opportune times.

3.58 p.m. R6 3 Chambord (5 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Leah Hemi (a2); was sidelined with a fracture and following a long spell he resumes in the $15,000 Open 1300 metres, with two trials under his belt. While no doubting his ability, having finished second in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and been narrowly beaten here by both Atacama (Pentire) and Ryan Mark (Thorn Park), he will take plenty of benefit from the outing.

4.33 p.m. R7 11 Tavis Star (4 m Tavistock - Megapins) - Dylan Mo (a2); continued her exemplary performances with another top run for third on 19 Decemeber in the Rating 75 1600 metres at Te Rapa, and contests the corresponding event. The form suggests she rates a top three chance, but will require a few breaks from barrier ten.

5.13 p.m. R8 7 Echezeaux (4 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - Johnathon Parkes; produced a much improved effort for third here in the Maiden 1400 metres on 8 November and has trained on very well ahead of the Maiden 1600 metres. She meets a few in the race with a bit of pedigree, but none as rich as hers, and a decent run from barrier eight should see her threaten.