Te Akau North Island Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Sunday 22 February: Taupo and Wanganui. 

Taupo:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 1 metre. No rain forecast. 

2:35 p.m. R3 3 Centurial (3 g Savabeel – Purcentage) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he was steadied to last, eight lengths astern at the 600m, and staged a big run down outside for fourth in a trial on 10 February at Ellerslie. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 1100 metres, he is out of a multiple stakes’ producing dam, and has weight relief to 56kg. He will likely dictated to get back from the outside draw (11) which is always difficult at Taupo, and will be looking to run home strongly. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.90.

3:10 p.m. R4 1 Carsolio (3 g Bivouac – Whitehaven) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he remained back when resuming in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 31 January at Ellerslie, and contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1100 metres. He recorded a sound first-up win, after leading, in the Maiden 1000 metres here in August, is assisted by weight relief to 57kg, and will likely seek to race handily. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.55.

4:20 p.m. R6 3 Bellish Boy (3 g Embellish – Stylish Achiever) – Opie Bosson; he fought hard for a close third after leading in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 28 January at Waverley, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1400 metres. He was posted wide in each of his first two starts, both at Tauranga, and rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.20.

4:55 p.m. R7 2 Captured By Love (4 m Written Tycoon – Moldova) – Opie Bosson; she has been freshened since the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) on 13 December at Te Rapa, has had two exhibition gallops, and contests the $25,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. The Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner, she returned to her best when winning the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in November. She has shown a liking for the course and certainly has top three credentials jumping from barrier one. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.15.

5:31 p.m. R8 5 Crown Princess (4 m Embellish – Princess Davone) – Opie Bosson; she came from fifth with a strong finish for second in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 5 February at Tauranga, and contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1800 metres. She ended last season with solid fifth in Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m), and did well in all three starts including an impressive Maiden win over 1560 metres. She also has been a trial winner on course, and from her good gate (3) can find herself right in the thick of the action at the finishing post. Fixed odds: $1.85 & $1.20.

Wanganui:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 2.5 metres. No rain forecast. 

3:27 p.m. R6 4 Altari (4 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Courtney Barnes; he felt the pinch after working wide in the Rating 75 1500 metres on 31 January at Ellerslie, and contests the $18,500 Rating 75 1600 metres. He mounted a strong finish to win when resuming in the Rating 65 1500 metres on 6 December at Pukekohe, and brings the ability to race well in a solid field. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.00. 

Main photo - Crown Princess winning