Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 17 horses entered on Saturday 11 March: Pukekohe and Trentham. 

Pukekohe:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. 18mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday. 

12:40 p.m. R1 3 Amalfi Prince (4 g Sebring - Campania) - Opie Bosson; he made ground from last in the Rating 75 1600 metres last Saturday at Te Rapa, and steps up in the $70,000 Rating 75 2100 metres. Finding the line, he was the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m) winner last season, and is capable of a solid effort if appreciative of the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.00.

1:16 p.m. R2 4 Insatiable (3 g All Too Hard - All Day Baby) - Opie Bosson; he was tight for racing room when fifth on debut in the Maiden 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and dug in to win the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 February at Taupo. He steps up in grade for the $70,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, but has the ability to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50. 

1:16 p.m. R2 10 Dignitosa (3 f Xtravagant - Infra Dig) - Michael McNab; she was in no danger throughout when scoring fresh-up in the Maiden 1200 metres on 23 February at Wanganui, and also steps up in the $70,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She has the ability to measure up. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80. 

1:16 p.m. R2 11 Off To The Nunnery (3 f Turn Me Loose - Clos De Tart) - Joe Doyle; she recorded a tough victory in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1100 metres on 3 January at Matamata, and worked through for fifth to impressive winning stable-mate I Choose You (I Am Invincible) in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa. She is ideally drawn (3) in the $70,000 Rating 65 1200 metres and displays tough attributes. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80. 

3:06 p.m. R5 1 Tokyo Tycoon (2 g Satono Aladdin - All About The Coin) - Opie Bosson; he became the seventh consecutive winner for Te Akau in the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) with an impressive performance here on 21 January, and it was no bother in winning the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 25 February at Matamata. Unbeaten in four starts, he looks the horse to beat in the $320,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). Fixed odds: $1.40 & $1.00.

3:38 p.m. R6 1 Freeze Frame (3 g Vadamos - Snow Petal) - Warren Kennedy; he continued his good form coming from last to finish second in the Special Conditions 1400 metres on 25 February at Matamata, and contests the $70,000 Special Conditions 1400 metres. The blinkers are on, and he rates a top three chance from barrier four. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

3:38 p.m. R6 4 It's Business Time (4 m Turn Me Loose - Risque Business) - Opie Bosson; she made it two wins from her last three starts with a clinical victory in the Special Conditions 1600 metres on 11 February at Te Rapa, and also contests the $70,000 Special Conditions 1400 metres. Dropping back in trip should pose no concern and she looks a top there prospect. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.40. 

3:38 p.m. R6 15 Alminette (3 f Burgundy - High Heels) - Joe Doyle; she fought well for fifth on heavier ground than ideal for her in the Special Conditions 1400 metres on 25 February at Matamata, and likewise contests the $70,000 Special Conditions 1400 metres. First and second respectively, prior, she should go well with luck from her wide draw (14) and if the going remains decent. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.00. 

4:12 p.m. R7 12 Synchronize (4 m Savabeel - Splits) - Craig Grylls; she engulfed her opponents in a few strides with fresh-up win in the Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day, and ran the fastest last 600m (32.6) on the day when circling from last in the Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 21 January, both a Pukekohe. Again, she ran fastest last 600m (32.3) on the day for fifth in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here on 18 February, and presents as a top three contender from barrier one in the $80,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90. 

4:47 p.m. R8 6 Campionessa (5 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Opie Bosson; she ran the fastest last 600m (34.1) for second to subsequent NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Sharp ‘N' Smart (Redwood) in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on 11 February at Te Rapa, and contests the $320,000 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Gr. 1, 2050m). The recent Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) winner, she has won to 2500 metres, and is producing impeccable performances this season. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.40. 

5:26 p.m. R9 4 Leaderboard (8 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Joe Doyle; he was required to lift his form and did so with aplomb when winning the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) on 28 January at Trentham, with Doyle aboard. He pleased in an exhibition gallop on 25 February at Matamata, loves the trip and should race well in the $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m). Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.80. 

5:26 p.m. R9 14 Soprano Supreme (5 m Contributer - Falsetto) - Wiremu Pinn; she received few favours running home in the Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) here on 18 February, and also contests the $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m). A good mare, she is yet to try two miles but carries the minimum weight (53kg) and appears capable of a bold effort. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $5.50. 

Trentham:

Weather: raining, track: Soft5, rail: out 6 metres. 7mls rain forecast Friday and no rain Saturday.

1:00 p.m. R1 3 Sans Doute (3 f Not A Single Doubt - My Prerogative) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1); she was well ridden to win the Special Conditions 1200 metres on 11 February at Te Rapa, and contests the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres. She gave her rivals a start and a beating over 1215 metres in December at Rotorua, has won two of her last three, and rates a top three chance from barrier two. Fixed odds: $1.80 & $1.05. 

1:35 p.m. R2 1 Challa (6 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Temiya Taiaroa (a2); he was swamped late for fourth in the Rating 88 1200 metres on 10 February at Hastings, and contests the $40,000 Rating 83 1000 metres. His jockey recently scored on stable-mate Brando (below), brings weight relief to 58kg and he looks a top three prospect from barrier one. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.45. 

1:35 p.m. R2 5 Aris Aris (4 m Contributer - Irish Encore) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1); she was spelled after winning the Rating 75 1200 metres last October at Timaru, and ran home strongly to win a trial on 21 February at Avondale. The blinkers are on, she's recorded three wins and four seconds from eight starts, and shapes as a top three contender in the $40,000 Rating 83 1000 metres. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.35. 

4:27 p.m. R7 1 Brando (5 g Savabeel - Saoirse) - Ciel Butler (a3); he ran the fastest last 600m (33.9) on the day when making it back-to-back wins in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 25 February at Otaki, and steps up in the $40,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres. Second in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) here, he enjoys weight relief to 59kg, and should go well again from barrier two. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.50.

4:27 p.m. R7 3 Markus Aurelius (6 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1);  he rounded off well from last for fourth when resuming in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 5 February at Tauranga, won by stable-mate and subsequent winner Brando (Savabeel), and was similar for fifth in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 1 March at Awapuni. Runner-up in the Thompson Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) here last October at his only course attempt, he is a quality galloper, and should race well in small field. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.20.