Te Akau NZ Ashburton Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has one horse entered during the nine-race programme at Rotorua, and three on the ten-race card at Ashburton, Saturday October 19.

Rotorua:

As at 8:28am on Thursday Oct. 17 the conditions were: overcast and Dead6, rail true.

5:38pm R9 6 Orinto (4 m Iffraaj - The Perfurme Garden) - Michael Dee (a3); settling third last passing the 1000 metres, and eleven lengths off the pace at the 600m, she sustained a big run for third on Oct. 4 in the Benchmark 65 1600 metres on Dead4 footing at Te Rapa. Prior to, she had made up a massive slice of ground when beaten a nose on Sept. 11 in the Benchmark 65 1400 metres at Te Rapa. Already a winner on slow footing, track conditions should suit and a step to 1950 metres is expected to agree with her pattern of settling off the pace. With weight relief to 54kgs, she again appears a top chance in the race providing she likes this course.

Ashburton:

As at 7:30am on Thursday Oct. 17 the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail true.

1:45pm R4 8 Viana (5 m Volksraad - Hecuba) - Matt Cameron; carried 58kgs to finish close up in third after a lovely trip on Oct. 5 in the Benchmark 75 1600 metres on Good2 footing at Riccarton. Now third up from a spell, she contests the Open 1600 metres on the minimum 54kgs. She made good ground here along the rail at her only course attempt and drawing barrier one will ensure a sweet trip.

4:40pm R9 1 Chambord (3 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Jamie Bullard; coasted along in fourth before racing clear, untouched, to score by five lengths on Sept. 22 over 1200 metres on Dead6 footing at Gisborne. While a step up in class to contest the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m), the turn of foot and manner of his win suggests he can match most in this line up - one of three in the race for Te Akau.

4:40pm R9 5 Costa Viva (3 f Encosta De Lago - Vivacious Spirit) - Matt Cameron; closed off very nicely for a three-quarter length second to Bounding on Sept. 22 in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), run in race record time: 1:09.59, on Dead4 footing at Hastings. On debut prior, she required only a slap on the shoulder to draw away for a two and a half length victory on Aug. 31 in the 3YO 1200 metres on Dead6 footing at Ruakaka. She brings the form to warrant favouritism and from barrier nine of ten will track up with a strong finish.

4:40pm R9 9 Dreamer (3 f More than Ready - Make Me Strong) - Chris Johnson; vied for the lead in centre track on straightening and fought hard for second on Sept. 21 in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on Dead5 footing at Riccarton. Second in five of her seven starts, she is a consistent filly that could find an edge with blinkers on for the first time.

Bet of the week: Orinto

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