Te Akau North & South Saturday Preview
Date: 21 Apr 2023
Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Saturday 22 April: Pukekohe and Riccarton.
Pukekohe:
Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. Showers forecast Friday, 5mls rain Saturday.
1:48 p.m. R4 8 She's A Showoff (4 m Showcasing - Que Sera) - Jessica Allen (a4); she ran the equal fastest last 600m (32.5) on the day for second when resuming in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres here on 8 April, and contests the corresponding event. She has won twice at the distance, has weight relief to 54kg, and should go well with a decent trip from her wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.
1:48 p.m. R4 12 Luxuriant (5 m Iffraaj - Opulent) - Opie Bosson; she got back and worked home strongly on the inner for fifth in the same race as She's A Showoff (above) here on 8 April, and like that stablemate also contests the corresponding event. She resumed with a big finish for second the start prior but will need things to go her way from her (also) wide gate (12). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.
2:23 p.m. R5 10 The Princie One (2 f Savabeel - The Diamond One) - Opie Bosson; she was notable when finishing third a off wide trip on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 15 March at Matamata, and was then a close second in the 2YO 1300 metres on 1 April at Avondale. Bred in the purple, she rates a top three chance in the $80,000 Staphanos at Novara Park Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600m). Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.75.
4:08 p.m. R8 11 Belle of the Ball (4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she ran the equal fastest last 600m (32.4) on the day for second when resuming in the Rating 86 1400 metres here on 8 April, and contests the $120,000 Manco Easter Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m). Group Three placed at 1600 metres, she is a very consistent mare that is course/distance placed at both attempts, and looks a top three prospect with luck from the carpark draw (17). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.
4:08 p.m. R8 12 The Perfect Pink (4 m Savabeel - The Solitaire) - Kozzi Asano; she ran home strongly for fourth when resuming in the same race at Belle of the Ball (above) here on 8 April, and also contests the $120,000 Manco Easter Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m). She won the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), will strip fitter, and should go well if she too can navigate a difficult gate (11). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.
4:08 p.m. R8 13 Fashion Shoot (5 m Savabeel - High Fashion) - Wiremu Pinn; she fought through traffic for an eye-catching sixth in the Flying Handicap (Listed, 1400m) on 1 April at Awapuni, and she too contests the $120,000 Manco Easter Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m). She has delivered two very good performances on the course this season and rates a top four chance. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.
Riccarton:
Weather: raining, track: Heavy10, rail: out 4 metres. 9mls rain forecast Friday and showers Saturday.
1:38 p.m. R5 1 Cu Chulainn (2 g Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Jason Laking; he made it consecutive victories in the $30,000 2YO 1000 metres here on 25 March, has been given time (28 days), and contests the corresponding event. Going well on better footing, he does warrant favouritism, however the heavy ground may pose questions, as it could do for many in this juvenile event. Fixed odds: $1.65 & $1.05.
3:18 p.m. R8 4 Family Ties (3 f Contributer - Glamazon) - Courtney Barnes; she kept finding the line after circling widest in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m) here a fortnight ago on Heavy8 footing, and contests the $65,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m). She was impressive winning the Oaks' Prelude (Listed, 1800m), may handle track conditions better than some, and appears capable of a bold showing - one of three Te Akau fillies contesting this. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.
3:18 p.m. R8 5 Miss Dunsford (3 f Dissident - She Chose Me) - Shaun McKay; she found the line for sixth off a similar trip to Family Ties (above) in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m) here a fortnight ago on Heavy8 footing, and also contests the $65,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m). She has been racing genuinely this preparation and should continue in that vein, if appreciative of the extra distance. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.
3:18 p.m. R8 9 Alminette (3 f Burgundy - High Heels) - Ryan Elliot; she was very brave off a wide trip for fourth in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m) here a fortnight ago on Heavy8 footing, and she too lines up in the $65,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m). She fought hard for second off a tough trip the start prior, is racing very well and has the ability to continue the trend if able to cope with the heavier going. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.
3:53 p.m. R9 3 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Jason Laking; he rallied well for sixth in the Easter Cup (Listed, 1600m) here a fortnight ago on Heavy8 footing, and contests the $100,000 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr. 3, 2000m), a race won last year by stablemate, and subsequent Group 1 winner Prise De Fer. He is having a great season, was placed in a Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) as three-year-old, is suited by the weight-for-age scale, and rates a top four chance if he can take the heavier going in his stride. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.
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