Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Saturday 2 April: Avondale, and Awapuni.

Avondale:

Weather: fine, track: Dead6, rail: true. 2mls rain forecast Saturday.

2:18 p.m. R4 11 Navalha  (3 g Sebring - Afiado) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); came from last with strong finish for fifth when resuming in a Rating 74 1100 metres on 30 January and was doing his best work late from last (33.6 600m) in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 5 March, both at Ellerslie. Claiming to 53.5kg in the $30,000 Rating 74 1400 metres, he has the ability to rate a top three contender. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

3:28 p.m. R6 1 Bak Da Master  (7 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Yuto Kumagai (a4); spelled following finishing first and second, respectively, in steeplechases during the Grand National meeting in August at Riccarton, and stayed on well for third when trialling on 9 March at Cambridge (poly-track). He enjoys weight relief to 56.5kg in the $30,000 Rating 74 1600 metres, as he prepares a for jumps' campaign - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $7.50.

3:28 p.m. R6 12 Nossenko (3 f Savabeel - Vera de Bosset) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); won a Maiden 1400 metres on 27 January and ran a notable fourth in a Rating 65 1600 metres to subsequent Lowland Stakes' (Gr. 2, 2100m) runner-up One Dream One Soul (Ekraar), both at Hastings. She came from last to score dominantly in a Rating 65 1550 metres on 4 March at Awapuni, and although she faces a stiffer task in the $30,000 Rating 74 1600 metres she benefits with weight relief down to a featherweight 52kg. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.30.

Awapuni:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 4 metres 800m - 400m, remainder true (outside bend).

1:25 p.m. R2 3 Supreme Khan  (4 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Opie Bosson; finished back when resuming in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 5 March at Ellerslie, and contests the $50,000 Rating 74 1200 metres. Two of his three wins have come at 1200 metres - he boasts a solid record and receives the chance to improve with blinkers on - one of two stable runner engaged. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

1:25 p.m. R2 4 Lightning Field  (5 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); produced a terrific victory in a Rating 74 1200 metres on Legends Day (12 Feb.) at Te Rapa, and flew late from well back (33.5 600m) in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 5 March at Ellerslie. Ideally drawn (4) in the $50,000 Rating 74 1200 metres, he brings the right form to race well if appreciative of the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

2:33 p.m. R4 1 On the Bubbles  (3 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles) - Opie Bosson; extended his record to six from 10 winning the Mufhasa Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Derby Day (5 March) at Ellerslie, and ran a great race for second to stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) - a Te Akau first four - in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 19 March at Trentham. Unbeaten on the course, including the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at the corresponding meeting last year, he is clearly the highest rated in the $80,000 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m) as he attempts 2000m for the first time. Te Akau lines up a stable duo in this race. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.30.

2:33 p.m. R4 5 Amalfi Prince  (3 g Sebring - Campania) - Johnathan Parkes; claimed the leader for a comfortable victory in a Maiden 1600 metres on 27 January at Hastings, however missed in a Rating 65 2100 metres on 19 February at Ellerslie.  He was given time (25 days) and bounced back with a close second a Rating 65 1600 metres on 16 March at Matamata. He is up to the task in the $80,000 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m), but requires luck from the tricky barrier 10. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $4.80.

3:09 p.m. R5 1 Prise De Fer  (6 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Michael McNab; freshened and trialled well after winding up late for fifth in the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 29 January at Trentham, he then prevailed under the top weight (59kg) in an Open 1500 metres on 5 March at Ellerslie. He brings winning form to play and is a genuine customer, but 61kg makes it tougher in the $60,000 Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Stakes (Listed, 1400m) - the first of a stable pair contesting one of the features. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

3:09 p.m. R5 2 Brando  (4 g Savabeel - Saoirse) - Opie Bosson; enhanced his fresh-up record impressively winning an Open 1400 metres on 30 January at Ellerslie, and delivered a notable third in the WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 26 February at Otaki. Given time (35 days), he carries 58kg but has drawn wide (13) however he does possess the ability with right trip to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

3:44 p.m. R6 1 Dynastic (2 c Almanzor - Meir) - Opie Bosson; stretched out beautifully when winning the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 22 January at Ellerslie, becoming sixth consecutive winner for Te Akau. Freshened, he looked good getting into second at the trials on 1 March at Avondale, and was beaten only a nose by race rival Lickety Split (Turn Me Loose) in the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 13 March at Ellerslie. The current market favourite, he rates a top three prospect in the $245,000 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) - a race with two stable starters. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.25.

3:44 p.m. R6 7 Maven Belle (2 f Burgundy - Doyenne) - Sam Weatherley; was very impressive when cementing a hat-trick and providing Te Akau with its seventh Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 26 February at Matamata, and was tops again finishing a very unlucky third in the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 13 March at Ellerslie. A high quality filly, she also rates top three contender from barrier one in the $245,000 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.30.

Te Akau has won the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) six times, and last four consecutively.

5:04 p.m. R8 11 The Mighty Spar  (4 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Opie Bosson; was unable to quicken on Slow8 footing in a Rating 74 1400 metres on 20 March at Tauranga. He capped good form with an undeniable finish in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 13 January at Otaki, and receives the opportunity to bounce back in the $50,000 Rating 74 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.