Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses entered for the nine race programme at Te Rapa, and two on the ten race premier card for NZ Oaks Day at Trentham Saturday 14 March.

Te Rapa: 

As on Friday March 13 the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail out 7 metres.

12.42 p.m. R1 6 Spellbinder (4 m O'Reilly - Scenic Sprint) - Cameron Lammas; wound up from back in the field with a big performance for second to Recite (Darci Brahma) over 1200 metres, run in track record time (1:08.14), at Matamata. She was resuming off 189-days and now, three weeks later, faces only four opponents in the Open 1400 metres. In what will likely be a tactical affair, a nice bit of give in the ground could prove the most valuable asset in her proving tough to beat.

2.30 p.m. R4 7 Darci's Dream (3 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Lee Magorrian (a2); last raced in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on Jan. 1 at Ellerslie, and resumes off 72-days from barrier three in the 3YO 1200 metres. Indicating her quality by finishing runner-up in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) last November, she has recorded two of her three wins in a fresh state, and dead footing will suit - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

2.30 p.m. R4 11 Smashing (3 f Pins - Ruud Van Slaats) - Cameron Lammas; was undone when caught four wide in the Mr Tiz Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Feb. 28 at Ellerslie. She broke a track record (1:09.3) for 1200 metres last October at Rotorua, and both her victories have been on left-handed tracks. With a tongue-tie added to her gear, she ideally drawn in barrier two to take up a handy position. Her dam Ruud Van Slaats (Van Nistelrooy) had an excellent affinity with this course at the highest level.

Trentham: 

As on Friday March 13 the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail true.

3.24 p.m. R6 9 Angelica Hall (4 m Guillotine - Greta Hall) - Danielle Johnson; finished a close fifth, with this rider aboard, in the Rating 85 1200 metres on March 4 at Ellerslie, having done similar work for fourth when resuming off 294-days in the corresponding race on the same course prior. Lifting her sights to contest the Lightning Stakes (Listed, 1200m), she has the athleticism and ability to prove competitive if able to relax in the run.

4.03 p.m. R7 11 No Tricks (3 f Savabeel - Mezaire) - Matt Cameron; made very good headway, from last, for fourth in the Mr Tiz Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Feb. 28 at Ellerslie, off a freshen, and now tackles the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). Drawn the ace, she should receive all favours and although meeting a couple of smart ones, as expected in a stakes race, she has good form around the right horses to prove competitive.