Te Akau North Island Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing three horses entered on 2 January: Tauranga and Tauherenikau.

Tauranga:

Weather: fine, track: Dead6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:04 p.m. R2 13 Tuahine  (3 f Iffraaj - Talaria) - Michael McNab; was in the firing line turning for home when sixth on debut in a Pearl Series Maiden 3YO Fillies 1200 metres on 8 December at Hastings, and contests the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Well bred, with blinkers on and drawn barrier two, she receives the opportunity to improve.

4:53 p.m. R7 1 Amalfi Prince  (3 g Sebring - Campania) - Opie Bosson; he was second to stable-mate and subsequent winner Image of You (Pins) on debut in a Maiden 1300 metres at Taupo, and again second in the fastest last 600m (34.6) in a Maiden Colts & Geldings 1400 metres at Te Aroha, both in October. Freshened, he was not pressured for a close fourth at the trials on 21 December at Ellerslie, and resumes in the $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. He rates a top three chance from barrier six.

Tauherenikau:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. 4mls rain forecast race day.

1:53 p.m. R2 2 Apollonius  (2 c Fastnet Rock - Ciarlet) - Johnathan Parkes; looked good in his action scoring handsomely at the trials in October at Te Rapa, and was second when trialling on 13 December at Rotorua. Debuting in the $12,000 2YO 1000 metres, this very well bred colt should race well with a decent trip from the slightly tricky barrier seven.