Te Akau North South Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 18 horses entered on Saturday 12 November: Tauranga and Riccarton. 

Tauranga:

Weather: showery, track: Soft5, rail: true. 60mls rain forecast Friday and 20mls Saturday.

12:45 p.m. R1 1 Lord Cosmos (3 g Pierro - Cosmic Powers) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); freshened since failing to handle Heavy10 in the El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m), and trialled okay on 3 November at Matamata. Resuming in $30,000 3YO 1400 metres and may not be suited if forecast rain comes to fruition. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20.

12:45 p.m. R1 2 Kabugee (3 g Satono Aladdin - Kabuki) - Vinnie Colgan; made it two from two when resuming with victory in the $30,000 3YO 1215 metres on 16 October at Rotorua. He may handle predicted wet track better than some, but not ideal. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.45.

2:28 p.m. R4 4 Pin Me Up (4 m Pins - Brampton Loco) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); had lengthy spell after super victory in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed, 1600m), and recorded strong trial win on 11 October at Waipa. Entered to resume in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, but may be reserved if too wet. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

3:06 p.m. R5 5 Kai (4 m Ocean Park - Brilliant Blush) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); made up plenty for fifth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 5 November at Te Rapa, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She capped six seconds from seven starts with a stylish victory in the Maiden 1200 metres on 21 September at Matamata, given Heavy10 footing, which should stand by her on rain-affected footing. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65.

3:06 p.m. R5 8 Luxuriant (5 m Iffraaj - Opulent) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); circled up and got home well for fifth in the Rating 65 1230 metres on 27 October at Rotorua, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She won her Maiden over 1200 metres on Soft7, so may handle wet ground better than some. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80.

3:38 p.m. R6 3 Fierce Flight (4 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); proved too strong winning the Rating 60 2100 metres here on 19 October and steps up in the $30,000 Rating 65 2100 metres. He finished fourth on Heavy10 in August at Matamata, and brings right form to race well if appreciative of conditions.

4:13 p.m. R7 1 Brando (5 g Savabeel - Saoirse) - Yuto Kumagai (a3); was not far away when resuming in the Sweynesse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1215m) on 16 October at Rotorua, and contests the $40,000 Open 1400 metres. Weight relief to 59kg, course/distance placed on Soft7 at only attempt, and should race well if able to cope with footing. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.30.

4:48 p.m. R8 1 Prise De Fer (7 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); was given time (28 days) since finishing sixth on Heavy10 in the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) and contests the $120,000 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m). Going well, but would prefer better ground. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.90.

4:48 p.m. R8 10 The Perfect Pink (4 m Savabeel - The Solitaire) - Warren Kennedy; got back last before closing strongly late in the Open 1400 metres on 22 October at Te Rapa, and contests the $120,000 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m). Looked nice race for her, but forecast puts cat among the pigeons. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

Riccarton:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 3 metres from 1000m - 650m, remainder true. 2mls rain forecast Friday and 8mls Saturday.

12:30 p.m. R3 14 Invincibeel (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Joshua Parr; she had recorded consecutive seconds before she failed to fire here last Saturday in the Rating 65 1600 metres. She is much better than that, and receives the opportunity to improve in the $60,000 Rating 65 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

2:43 p.m. R7 3 One Kiss (3 f Tivaci - Discreet Evening) - Michael McNab; she overcame the outside draw (14) to win the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) here on 17 September, and fought well after leading in the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 15 October at Ashburton. Given time (28 days), she is a filly better suited ridden with cover, and is capable of proving competitive - one of a stable duo in the event. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $3.50.

2:43 p.m. R7 4 Romancing The Moon (3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight) - Joshua Parr; she recorded an impressive front-running victory in the Maiden 1400 metres on 8 October at Matamata, before she finished second to race rival and favourite Legarto (Proisir) in the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 22 October at Te Rapa. She handles give in ground and rates a top three chance in the $400,000 Barneswood Farm 50^thNew Zealand 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $1.45.

3:19 p.m. R8 12 Illicit Miss (4 m Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Craig Grylls; she ran the fastest last 600m (34.8) for second to race rival Second Thoughts (Ghibellines) in the Rating 75 2000 metres here last Saturday, and contests the $60,000 Rating 82 2500 metres. She has been solid throughout her southern campaign and she presents as a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

3:54 p.m. R9 1 Burgundy Rose (6 m Burgundy - Paraiba) - Joshua Parr; she produced a notable effort for fifth in the Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m) to race rival Lincoln's Kruz (Kuroshio) here last Saturday, and contests the $120,000 Lindauer Stewards Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). She's not a big mare and does have to carry the top weight, but does bring a good course record and genuine attributes to the task - in a race with two stable representatives. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.80.

3:54 p.m. R9 2 Challa (6 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Samantha Spratt; he recorded consecutive victories before crossing to lead and being collared in the Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m) behind race rival Lincoln's Kruz (Kuroshio) here last Saturday, and contests the $120,000 Lindauer Stewards Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). He faces the same challenge again and any improvement from last week will see him prove competitive. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.30.

4:29 p.m. R10 8 Navalha (5 g Sebring - Afiado) - Joshua Parr; he got back on the inner and did well for third in the Rating 75 1400 metres here last Saturday, and he steps up in the $60,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. He finished fourth at his only previous attempt over a mile and brings a solid racing campaign to the table. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

5:09 p.m. R11 5 Leaderboard (8 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Craig Grylls; he finished back in the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2500m) here last Saturday, won by stable-mate Campionessa (Contributer), and contests the $300,000 Martin Collins 159^thNew Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m). He won the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) last season, then was third here in last year's Cup, but he needs to lift to figure in the finish. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $7.50.

5:49 p.m. R12 6 Image of You (5 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Joshua Parr; she ran on well for fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres here last Saturday, and contests the $60,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She won twice to 1600 metres last season and hopefully benefits from drawing barrier one to rate a top four chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.