Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Saturday 8 July: Te Rapa and Awapuni.  

Te Rapa:

Weather: fine, track: Heavy9, rail: out 10 metres. 13mls rain forecast Friday and 9mls Saturday. 

11:45 a.m. R2 1 Freeze Frame (3 g Vadamos - Snow Petal) - Michael McNab; he ran the fastest last 600m (33.1) finishing second in the 3YO 1300 metres on 16 June at Cambridge (poly-track), and contests the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres. He drew clear to win easily on Heavy10 going in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 3 June at Avondale, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.50.

12:52 p.m. R4 2 Bak Da Master (8 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Dean Parker; he finished second and third respectively in steeple trials on 15 & 29 May at Cambridge, before losing his jockey early in the 0-1 Win Steeplechase (4000m) on 5 June at Hastings. First and second in two prior steeplechase attempts, he receives the opportunity to improve in the $30,000 0-1 Steeplechase (3900m). Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.45.

2:03 p.m. R6 6 Prefer To Play (3 g Preferment - Play Me) - Kozzi Asano; he fought well on Heavy10 footing for fourth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 7 June at Matamata, before claiming fourth in the Maiden 1550 metres on 24 June at Cambridge (poly-track). He is looking to improve further in the $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.

3:13 p.m. R8 5 Kai (4 m Ocean Park - Brilliant Blush) - Kozzi Asano; she continued her good form this campaign when fourth in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 24 June at Cambridge (poly-track), and contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Very consistent as three time winner and third or better in 13 of 17 starts, she rates a top four chance if she secures a decent trip from her wide draw (9). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.50. 

Awapuni:

Weather: fine, track: Heavy10, rail: out 1.5 metres (800m - 350m), remainder true (inside bend. 15mls rain forecast Saturday. 

12:38 p.m. R3 8 Popthebubbles (3 f Wrote - Vickezzlepin) - Temyia Taiaroa (a2); she did well from a handy position to finish third in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres on 7 June at Matamata, before racing clear to win by over six lengths in the Maiden 1600 metres on 23 June at Wanganui. Up in class for the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres, she can finish in the first three given the manner of her smart win. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.40.