Te Akau North & South Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Saturday 9 April: Rotorua, and Riccarton.

Rotorua:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

1:15 p.m. R2 4 Hero Worship (3 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Opie Bosson; freshened after his debut fifth in December at Matamata, he sustained a strong run while closing the margin in a trial on 22 March at Cambridge (poly-track). From first crop by record-breaking (1:33.5) 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Xtravagant (Pentire) (bought as yearling by David Ellis at Karaka), his dam Idol, by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), won over 1500 metres in Australia. Resuming in the $15,000 Maiden 1215 metres, he appears capable of a bold showing if he receives any luck from the wide draw (14) - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

1:15 p.m. R2 11 Avondalay (3 f Redoute's Choice - Miss Maren) - Leith Innes; ran home solidly for fifth in a trial also on 22 March at Cambridge (poly-track), and she debuts in the $15,000 Maiden 1215 metres. From Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed Miss Maren (Stravinsky), who won eight times from 1400m - 2000m, she likewise has drawn wide (12) but look for her to be getting home strongly. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

1:52 p.m. R3 10 Ready to Drink (3 g Burgundy - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; galloped home strongly for a close fourth in a trial on 14 March at Ellerslie, and debuts in the $15,000 Maiden 1215 metres. He is a half-brother to Group 2 debut winning stable-mate Aotea Lad (Savabeel), both from the top Group 1 performing filly Corsage (Volksraad) and the family of the great mare Seamist (Beaufort Sea).  He is ideally drawn (2) to perform well at his first raceday attempt. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.

2:26 p.m. R4 6 Soprano Supreme (4 m Contributer - Falsetto) - Opie Bosson; bolted in when winning a Maiden Fillies & Mares 1600 metres on 12 January at Matamata, made up plenty in a Rating 65 1600 metres on 9 February at Ruakaka, and impressed winning a Rating 65 1950 metres here on 3 March. Given time (37 days), she rates a top three chance in the $30,000 Rating 74 2200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.20.

4:47 p.m. R8 1 Wairau Cove (3 g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Opie Bosson; cut loose with a five-length victory in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 23 December at Matamata, and was freshened following his fourth in the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 15 January at Trentham. Resuming in the $30,000 Rating 65 1215 metres, he trialled twice in March for first and third respectively, and possesses the talent to rate a top three finisher despite his super wide draw (17). Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.60.

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

3:14 p.m. R6 15 Belle of the Ball (3 f Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); continued her very good form when dashing late for an unlucky third in a Maiden 1600 metres 30 March at Matamata, and steps up in the $60,000 NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m). She ran the fastest last 600m (34.2) for fourth on debut, and while she hasn't put a foot wrong, she will require a ton of luck from her awkward draw (14). Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.