Te Akau North South Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Saturday 22 June: Tauranga, and Riccarton.  

Tauranga:  

Weather: fine, track: Heavy9, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast Saturday. 

12:05 p.m. R2 4 Bella Voce (3 f Fastnet Rock – Keep On Singing) – Wiremu Pinn; she finished strongly for second when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metreson on 8 May and charged away to powerfully win the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) by three and a half lengths on 5 June, both at Matamata. While she steps up in class for the $35,000 3YO 1300 metres, she has the record and ability to handle it. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.35.

12:40 p.m. R3 3 Moon Rocket (3 g Merchant Navy – Moon Lover) – Warren Kennedy; he finished strongly for a close second in a trial on 30 May at Waipa, and made good ground from last for fifth when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 5 June at Matamata. Contesting the $20,000 Maiden 1200 metres, he has unfortunately drawn wide (11) but has the ability to show further improvement. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

3:07 p.m. R7 2 Malborough Bay (4 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) – Jess Allen (a3); he ran the fastest last 600m (37.5) from a handy position for third in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 6 June at New Plymouth, and contests the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. A winner three starts ago over 1400 metres, he is racing solidly, enjoys weight relief to 54kg, and rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.55. 

3:42 p.m. R8 2 Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel – High Fashion) – Wiremu Pinn; she returned from racing out of the Te Akau stable at Cranbourne (Victoria), and contests the $80,000 Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (Listed, 1400m). A course/distance winner in March on Soft5 footing, she is a Group Three winner at this trip, is a top quality mare, and handles give but would prefer it not too testing - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70. 

3:42 p.m. R8 3 Aris Aris (5 m Contributer – Irish Encore) – Vinnie Colgan; she engulfed the field with a sustained sprint to win (fastest last 600m on day: 34.6) the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 18 May at Te Rapa, and was an eye-catching fifth in the corresponding event on 3 June at Te Aroha. Also contesting the $80,000 Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (Listed, 1400m), she has finished first and second in two course attempts over 1200 metres, is racing well and , like her stablemate above, handles give but would prefer it not too testing. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.00. 

Riccarton:  

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: out 8 metres to 1000m, remainder out 11 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:20 p.m. R2 11 Rue de Rivoli (3 f Tivaci – Boulevard) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she found the line for fifth in the 3YO 1200 metres here (poly track) on 31 May, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1000 metres. She won her Maiden on soft ground, drawn barrier one, and capable of proving competitive if appreciative of conditions. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.80. 

2:40 p.m. R6 2 Aotea Lad (7 g Savabeel – Corsage) – Denby-Rose Tait (a3); he fought solidly under a big weight (62kg) in the Rating 75 1400 metres here (poly track) on 16 May, has been given time (37 days), and contests the $40,000 Amberley Cup (Rating 85, 1600m). He has the advantage of weight relief to 56.5kg, has won on heavy footing but he's another that would prefer the going to not be too testing. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.65.

3:15 p.m. R7 10 Inca Belle (4 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she finished third following sweet trip in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 2 May but was not quite the same in the corresponding event on 31 May, both here on the poly track. She has won on heavy footing and opportunity to improve if appreciative of conditions in the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.90.