Te Akau North South Weekend Preview

Te Akau Racing has 8 horses entered on Saturday 3 February: New Plymouth, and Wingatui.

New Plymouth:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy8, rail: out 4 metres. 16mls rain forecast Saturday. 

2:22 p.m. R4 2 Brando (6 g Savabeel – Saoirse) – Opie Bosson; he jumped out well to lead and quickened to win a trial on 23 January at Taupo. Resuming in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres, he has won three times at this distance, placed twice at Group One level over 1600 metres, and has handled rain-affected going. Always capable, he is another that needs the rub of the green from the outside gate (11). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.    

3:00 p.m. R5 3 Captured By Love (2 f Written Tycoon – Moldova) – Opie Bosson; she finished strongly for second when trialling on 23 January at Taupo, and resumes in the $100,000 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m). She impressively won the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) on 9 December at Trentham at just her second outing and is classy, but may be required to handle rain-affected going - she's on weather watch - one of two in this for the stable. Fixed odds: $1.35 & $1.10. 

3:00 p.m. R5 4 Dream Of The Moon (2 f All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Michael McNab; she flattened out with a terrific sprint to win the 2YO 1000 metres during Cup Week on 15 November at Riccarton, and was freshened after a strong third to stable-mate Captured By Love (above) in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) on 9 December at Trentham. She quickened well to win a trial on 23 January at Taupo, and is poised to also make her presence felt in the $100,000 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m). Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.35. 

4:10 p.m. R7 3 My Lips Are Sealed (3 f Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Vinnie Colgan; she dug deep for a nose margin defeat in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 16 December at Trentham, and fought hard for fifth in the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr. 2, 2050m) on 1 January at Pukekohe. She was unpressured when running home well for third in a trial on 23 January at Taupo, and contests the $80,000 Grange William Stud Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m) won last year by Te Akau with Family Ties. She has shown the  ability to handle rain-affected going, and is capable of a top three finish. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00. 

Wingatui:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: true. 8mls rain forecast Saturday.

2:10 p.m. R5 13 Sense of Timing (3 f Time Test – Pin Up Lae) – Niranjan Parmar (a); she quickened best to win the Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus) on 28 December at Rotorua, and experienced an interrupted passage in the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 20 January at Trentham. From barrier one, she receives a good opportunity to bounce back in the Dunedin City Motors Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.  

3:28 p.m. R7 5 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Niranjan Parmar (a); she cemented a hat-trick of wins in the Rating 75 2200 metres on 20 December at Ashburton, and circled from rear for third to race rival Capo Dell Impero (Ghibellines) in the Waikouaiti Cup (Rating 89 2200 metres) here on 13 January. She has the ability to deliver a top three finish in the $100,000 Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

4:02 p.m. R8 8 Kith ‘n’ Kin (4 m Almanzor – Kindred) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she was held up before making good inroads late for fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 18 January at Riccarton, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She produced a big finish to win fresh-up over 970 metres in September at Cambridge (poly track), and presents as capable of a fist three contender from barrier four. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00. 

4:37 p.m. R9 1 Perfect Scenario (6 g Iffraaj – Rosetti Bay) – Niranjan Parmar (a); he ran the fastest last 600m (34.1) on the day when winning the Open Handicap 1400 metres here on 13 January, and is set to defend his title in the $120,000 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (Gr. 3, 1600m) after winning impressively last year. He will be posted rates a top three chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.45.