Te Akau North Island Thursday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing on Thursday 27 December: Rotorua, and New Plymouth.

Rotorua:

As on race morning the conditions were: cloudy and Dead6, rail true - 5mls rain forecast race day.

1.22 p.m. R2 3 Savy Yong Blonk (3 f Savabeel - Ampin) - Opie Bosson; was short of room in a very competitive last 600m (34.8) when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 23 November at New Plymouth, before obliging in the Maiden 1400 metres on 7 December at Matamata. Ideally drawn (4) in the $10,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres, she brings the right form to threaten immediately in the next grade.

New Plymouth:

As on race morning the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 7 metres - no rain race day.

1.37 p.m. R1 5 Not Usual Dream (3 g Shocking - Walsburgs Dream) - Shafiq Rusof; was very competitive on debut when nabbed on the line in the Maiden 1600 metres on 9 December at Waipukurau. Ideally drawn (2) and suited stepping in distance for the $10,000 Maiden 1800 metres, he rates a top three chance.

2.12 p.m. R2 5 Sizzler (2 f Sizzling - O'Raghailligh) - Shafiq Rusof; debuted on 27 October with a notable performance for fourth to subsequent stakes winner Bavella (Snitzel) over 880 metres at Ellerslie, and finished strongly to grab third when trialling on 17 December at Waipa. Ideally drawn (3) in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1000 metres, she shapes as a leading chance.

2.12 p.m. R2 6 Meritorious (2 f Burgundy - Iconic) - Rosie Myers; quickened impressively without much urging to win well at the trials on 17 December at Waipa, and debuts from barrier six in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1000 metres. From the family of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Insouciant (Keeper) and another 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner, Dorabella (Postponed), emulating the trial form would make her competitive.

4.37 p.m. R6 9 Lady Jess (3 f Darci Brahma - Lady Classique) - Shafiq Rusof; settled back and ran competitive time despite finishing eighth in a race where positions changed little on debut in the Maiden 1100 metres on 7 December at Matamata. She has shown to handle rain-affected footing at the trials with two accomplished performances for second and third on heavy and slow ground, respectively, and capable of an improved showing over more ground in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres.

5.47 p.m. R8 6 Elegant D'Oro (5 m Medaglia d'Oro - Elegant Fashion) - Shafiq Rusof; peaked on her run when resuming over a mile before over racing second-up in the Rating 65 2000 metres on 7 December at Matamata.  Twice a winner to 2100 metres when last campaigned, she can turn her form around if able to settle in the $10,000 Rating 65 2000 metres.