Te Akau NZ North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 15 horses entered on Saturday 2 December: Te Rapa, and Wanganui.

Te Rapa: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:55 p.m. R2 10 Inspired By Art (3 f So You Think – La Bella Delicia) – Sam Weatherley; she was held up in the straight when she had more to offer when trialling on 22 November at Taupo, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1300 metres. From an outstanding family, she is destined to go further, but appears capable of bold showing fresh-up. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80. 

1:35 p.m. R3 7 Ascend The Throne (3 g Savabeel – Thee Achiever) – Warren Kennedy; he tracked up widest rounding the home turn and strode through the line nicely in fourth when trialling on 22 November at Taupo, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1300 metres. Solid through trials' stage, he is from a very well credentialed family, but has unfortunately drawn the car park (15). While he looks bred to need further, he is ready to get his career underway and look for him to be finding the line strongly - the first of a stable duo in the event. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

1:35 p.m. R3 9 Please Sir (3 g Vespa – Rose And Crown) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he got well back when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 9 November at Taupo, and also contests the $25,000 Maiden 1300 metres. With the blinkers on, he receives the chance to improve if the senior apprentice secures a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

2:14 p.m. R4 2 Maracatu (2 g Ardrossan – Cortado) – Warren Kennedy; he did very well after a torrid run to finish fourth on debut to subsequent Counties Challenge Stakes (Listed, 1100m) winner Velocious (Written Tycoon) in the 2YO 1000 metres here on 11 November. He lifted appreciably to grab a win when trialling here prior, and rates a top three chance from barrier one in the $25,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres - one of two for the team. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.30. 

2:14 p.m. R4 7 Sister Ping (2 f Street Boss – Illadore) – Joe Doyle; she was not put under any pressure when holding her rivals at bay to win a trial on 22 November at Taupo, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. She has looked good winning two of her three trials and brings the right form to the contest to present as a top three chance from barrier three. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.45. 

2:47 p.m. R5 1 Wairau Cove (5 g Darci Brahma – Distinctive Lass) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he was trapped wide from his outside gate however quickened nicely for a close second in a trial here on 31 October. Resuming in the $40,000 Rating 75 1100 metres, he is stakes' placed on the course, possesses the ability to act well when fresh, and rates a top four chance under the top weight (60kg) - the first of a trio of runners for the stable. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

2:47 p.m. R5 3 Petrucci (4 m I Am Invincible – Via Napoli) – Joe Doyle; she ran the fastest last 600m (34.9) to win the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 October at Matamata, and finished an eye-catching fourth in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 28 October at Pukekohe. She worked home well while holding her position in a trial on 22 November at Taupo. The visor blinkers are on, she raced well enough to be second in the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) here, and is more than capable of the top three finish from barrier five in the $40,000 Rating 75 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65. 

2:47 p.m. R5 4 Freeze Frame (4 g Vadamos – Snow Petal) – Sam Weatherley; he rounded off nicely near the rail in a trial on 13 November at Waipa, and resumes in the in the $40,000 Rating 75 1100 metres. H He won twice over 1200 metres last season with give in ground and is an ultra consistent performer,  however he has drawn wide (11) so the navigation will be crucial. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80. 

3:18 p.m. R6 1 Aotea Lad (7 g Savabeel – Corsage) – Triston Moodley (a4); he ran home well near the rail in a trial on 13 November at Waipa, and likewise resumes in the in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres. With weight relief to 56kg, he has a few things in is favour - he is handily drawn (4), likes course, and has the ability to act well when fresh - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70.

3:18 p.m. R6 5 Aris Aris (5 m Contributer – Irish Encore) – Warren Kennedy; she was swamped after leading when resuming in the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m) here on 11 November, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres. She is such better suited when ridden with cover, and is very consistent as a rule, and this event is her opportunity to bounce back. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40. 

3:53 p.m. R7 1 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Billy Jacobson; he ran home well for third in a trial on 22 November at Taupo, and contests the $100,000 Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). The Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner last season, he brings a very good course/distance record to this assignment, and while he carries the top weight (58kg), he will be looking for a return to form. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.

5:12 p.m. R9 5 Balance Of Power (3 g Almanzor – Respin) – Sam Weatherley; he easily won the Maiden 1400 metres on 9 November at Taupo, and steps up in the $80,000 Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (Listed, 1500m). Stakes' placed as two-year-old, he does have the ability to match his race rivals and  is ideally drawn (4) to do just that!  Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10. 

Wanganui: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:40 p.m. R2 8 Inca Belle (4 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Johnathan Parkes; she resumed with a top run for second in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 November at Te Rapa, and contests the corresponding event. She fashioned a good record winning her first three starts in succession, including a course/distance win on Soft7 going previously, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.  

3:38 p.m. R7 6 Egyptian Queen (3 f Zoustar – Hieroglyphics) – Johnathan Parkes; she ran on strongly for second after being slowly away when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 18 October at Tauranga, and won the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus) easing down by four and a quarter lengths on 9 November at Taupo. Naturally precocious, she looks a top three contender in the $80,000 The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1340m) - one of two contesting the feature for the team. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.  

3:38 p.m. R7 8 My Lips Are Sealed (3 f Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Joe Kamaruddin; she has been given time (35 days) since the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Pukekohe, and also contests the $80,000 The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1340m). She resumed with a easy fresh-up victory over 1200 metres in September at Avondale, and its perfectly drawn (3) to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.50.