Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 15 horses entered on Saturday 26 November: Te Rapa, and Wanganui.  

Te Rapa:

Weather: showery, track: Heavy8, rail: out 8.5 metres. Showers forecast.

12:55 p.m. R1 4 Soprano Supreme (5 m Contributer - Falsetto) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); she received a tough trip in Staphanos Classic (Listed, 1950m) on 16 October at Rotorua, before recording the fastest last 600m (34.6) for fourth, carrying 51kg, in the Rating 86 2200 metres here on 5 November. With weight relief to 56.5kg, she is capable of another good effort if appreciative of the conditions in the $30,000 Rating 75 2400 metres. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

2:05 p.m. R3 2 Tokyo Tycoon (2 g Satono Aladdin - All About The Coin) - Michael McNab; he won comfortably off wide trip in a trial on 3 November at Matamata, and debuts in the $15,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. A natural two-year-old type, he should race well if he emulates his trial form - the first of a Te Akau trio lining up in the juvenile event. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.35.

2:05 p.m. R3 3 Talisker (2 g Embellish - Glenkinchie) - Warren Kennedy; he sustained a strong run for second in a trial on 3 November at Matamata, and he also debuts in the $15,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. His dam Glenkinchie (Redoute's Choice) won as a two-year-old over 1000 metres in Australia, and while he is destined for further, he shapes to race well from barrier five. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.40.

2:05 p.m. R3 5 She Turns Heads (2 f Headwater - Convene) - Craig Grylls; she finished second to stable-mate Trobriand (Kermadec) when debuting in the 2YO 1200 metres on 28 October at New Plymouth, and likewise contests the $15,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. The visor blinkers are on and she chances are aided by good draw (4). Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.35.

2:43 p.m. R4 6 Hero Worship (4 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Niranjan Parmar (a2); he produced an astonishing victory in the Rating 65 1050 metres 29 October at Matamata, and contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1100 metres. Drawn the ace, he enjoys weight relief to 55.5kg, is racing well and should continue this form if appreciative of the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.

2:43 p.m. R4 15 Pisco Sour (4 m I Am Invincible - Refreshing) - Joe Doyle; she resumed with a notable fourth in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 12 October at Avondale, and finished fifth to stable-mate Sophisticardo (Burgundy), after working on the pace, in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 29 October at Awapuni. She impressed winning over 1200 metres last season and rates a top three chance in the $30,000 Rating 75 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

3:19 p.m. R5 8 Savoir Faire (3 g Savabeel - Etiquette) - Craig Grylls; he placed three from three following a big run for second in the Maiden 3YO 1600 metres here on 5 November and steps up in the $65,000 Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (Listed, 1500m). The visor blinkers go on, he is ideally drawn (2), and should race well despite meeting a stronger field than his previous assignments. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.80.

4:29 p.m. R7 2 Prise De Fer (7 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Craig Zackey; he fought hard for second in the Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 12 November at Tauranga, and contests the $85,000 Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). He gets in nicely with 56kg on his back, has placed in all his five course attempts and rates a top three prospect again - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.55.

4:29 p.m. R7 7 Brando (5 g Savabeel - Saoirse) - Michael McNab; he was not far away when resuming in the Sweynesse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1215m) on 16 October at Rotorua, and sat back before finishing well for second in the Open 1400 metres on 12 November at Tauranga. He meets a stronger field in the $85,000 Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), but drops in weight to 55kg and is capable of racing well with a good dose of luck he will need from his wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

5:09 p.m. R8 1 Shepherd's Delight (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Safari Sunset) - Niranjan Parmar (a2); she closed nicely in tight quarters for fifth in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 29 October at Matamata, and drops in grade for the $30,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She finished second to stable-mate The Perfect Pink (Savabeel) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) last season, has weight relief to 60kg, and with the blinkers on, she is capable of a good performance from barrier four - the first of a stable duo in the last. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

5:09 p.m. R8 11 Albatross (4 m Sacred Falls - Bint Piavonic) - Craig Zackey; she recorded her debut victory over 1200 metres in February at Hastings, and got home well for fifth when resuming in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1200 metres on 29 October at Matamata. Also contesting the $30,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, she should give a good showing but needs things to go her way from her awkward gate (9). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

Wanganui:

Weather: cloudy, track: Heavy9, rail: out 2 metres. Showers forecast.

1:15 p.m. R2 2 Time Flies (3 g Time Test - Rorippa) - Lisa Allpress; he was given a perfect ride to win the Maiden 1050 metres on 29 October at Matamata, and steps up in the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres. He is expected to race well again if he cops the footing - the same as his stablemate who also lines up in the second race on the programme. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

1:15 p.m. R2 5 Inca Belle (3 f Per Incanto - Belle Vie) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she finished strongly for second in a trial on 4 August at Te Rapa, before her debut victory in the Maiden 1100 metres on 8 November at Pukekohe. She is ideally drawn (3) in the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres and she too should race well again if she, like Time Flies, handles the prevailing heavy track conditions. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.40.

1:50 p.m. R3 7 Polly Plum (4 m Xtravagant - Herstory) - Lisa Allpress; she fought solidly for seventh in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 1 November at Pukekohe, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She is going well, is ideally drawn (4) with visor blinkers on, but much depends on her, like her stablemates, handling conditions. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.60.

3:38 p.m. R6 11 La Flora Belle (5 m Iffraaj - Tsarina Belle) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she was given a gun ride to win the Rating 75 1600 metres on 28 October at New Plymouth, and was only claimed near the line by race rival Lilly Laguna (Rios) in the Waipukurau Cup (Rating 75, 1600m) on 13 November at Hastings. Stepping up in the $65,000 Steelform Roofing Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m), she's drawn the ace, carries the minimum weight (53kg) on her back, and should race well if appreciative of the heavy track conditions. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.