Te Akau NZ Midweek Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses entered for the eight-race programme on Wednesday April 2 at Matamata.

As on Monday March 31 the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 9 metres.

1:38pm R3 12 Vive La Difference (2 f Choisir - L'Artiste) - Danielle Johnson; makes her debut from barrier nine in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres, after working up behind the pacemakers and letting down for a close second, with this rider aboard, on March 11 in a trial over 800 metres at Rotorua. A big filly, her dam won twice up to 2000 metres while Choisir (Danehill Dancer) was a Group One winning sprinter in both hemispheres. Having displayed the precocity and manners to warrant a two-year-old start, she does appear a lovely three-year-old in the making.

2:48pm R6 2 Davey Crockett (4 g Scardee Cat - Avgenia) - Danielle Johnson; fought solidly for fifth on debut, after being posted three wide near the pace, over 1200 metres on March 15 at Te Rapa. Prior to, he indicated his readiness in a trial with this rider aboard at Matamata, when despite being trapped wide he never flinched on his task in the straight and recorded a very encouraging win. From barrier five in the Maiden 1200 metres, he should secure an economical run in transit and certainly displayed a liking for the course in his trial win.

3:58pm R7 3 Bronte Lass (5 m Stravinsky - Little Dorritt) - Danielle Johnson; was given a freshen-up after being unable to let down on rock hard ground in the Anniversary Handicap (Listed, 1600m) at Trentham, and resumes off 74-days, from barrier one, in the Benchmark 85 1400 metres. She was given a lovely ride to beat some sharp ones in a recent trial at Rotorua, placed at her only course attempt, and while a mile is probably her pet distance she has what it takes to prove very competitive in this line up - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

3:58pm R7 7 Cold Snap (5 m Pins - Forty Two Below) - Vinny Colgan; set up a genuine pace and only relinquished late, second up, in the Benchmark 75 1400 metres at Hawera, and although out of her rightful grade she has drawn favourably in barrier five and has a very experienced course rider aboard. Fourth here on debut, at her only course attempt, she strips in the right shape to put herself into the finish following a nice sit behind the tempo.

4:33pm R8 16 Stylee (4 m Pins - Arletty) - Danielle Johnson; closed off in good style for fourth in a strong form race on Jan. 18, in the Benchmark 65 1600 metres at Pukekohe, but a hoof abscess meant she was 51-days before contesting the Benchmark 65 Fillies & Mares 1600 metres last time out at Hawera. In a 1:34.92 mile, she lacked the hardness to round off the last bit, finishing fifth, and although lightly tried she has the ability as best to prove a factor here from barrier eight.