Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing at two venues on Saturday 19 March.

Te Rapa:

As on Friday March 18 the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail true.

1.57 p.m. R3 6 Arpeggio (4 m Tavistock - Macchiato) - Vinnie Colgan; produced a solid effort for third to Mary Quant (O'Reilly) in the $30,000 Rating 85 1600 metres on 27 February at Matamata, and drops back in distance for the $25,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Her four wins have been recorded at 1200 metres and given her consistency she rates a good each way chance again. $4.70 & $1.70 fixed odds.

3.07 p.m. R5 1 Chambord (5 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Craig Grylls; continued his return to form with a strong race for second in the $30,000 Open 1400 metres on February 13 at Awapuni, and contests the $25,000 Rating 85 1600 metres. Clearly the highest rated in the field (87) and weighted accordingly with 61kgs, he has the talent to threaten in a field where Mary Quant (O'Reilly) is likely to command favouritism. $5.50 & $1.45 fixed odds.

3.42 p.m. R6 3 Amperage (3 g Zabeel - Miss Zapper) - Reese Jones; has trained on since recording a comfortable win in the Maiden 2100 metres at Wairoa, and steps up in grade for the $20,000 Rating 65 2100 metres. Likely to race in or near the lead, he appears capable of measuring up in this field.

4.57 p.m. R8 6 Zambezi Warrior (3 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Reese Jones; had no luck in the $20,000 Rating 65 2100 metres on February 20 at Ellerslie, when attempting to gain a Derby spot. He powered home to win his maiden over a mile on 15 January at Matamata, and should receive an economical trip to rate a top three chance in the $20,000 Rating 65 1600 metres.

Trentham:

As on Friday 18 March the conditions were: overcast and Dead4 rail true.

3.59 p.m. R7 12 Smashing (4 m Pins - Ruud Van Slaats) - Cameron Lammas; was untouched to win the $25,000 Rating 85 1200 metres here on 30 January and steps up to stakes company in the $50,000 Lightning Stakes (Listed, 1200m). Drawn handily in barrier two, she possesses the natural talent not to be overshadowed in this field. She is currently rated a $16.00 & $4.40 fixed odds chance by the TAB.

4.41 p.m. R8 5 Duchess Kate (3 f Savabeel - Royal Prize) - Cameron Lammas; staged a terrific performance off a wide trip for fourth in the $70,000 Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) a fortnight ago at Ellerslie, in preparation for the $300,000 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). She displayed enormous fighting qualities to win the $70,000 Wellfield Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) here on January 30 and the $16.00 & $3.60 fixed odds offered by the TAB appear generous.