Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has ten horses racing at two venues on Saturday 5 November.

Te Rapa:

As on Friday 4 November the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 6 metres. 1ml rain forecast overnight.

12.20 p.m. R1 1 Summer Monsoon (2 c Stratum - Princess Narine) - Cameron Lammas; showed gate speed to race outside the leader and although drifting to centre track into the straight he found plenty for second to winning stable-mate Melody Belle (Commands) on debut in the 2YO 900 metres at Ruakaka. Drawn barrier two in the $20,000 2YO 1000 metres, he may prove more tractable going left-handed and following good trial form, and a top first up performance, he should go very well again.

12.55 p.m. R2 8 Stolen Love (3 f Savabeel - Steal) - Cameron Lammas; closed the margin from last when coming through runners for fifth in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres at Matamata, after closing from seventh to finish fifth on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres at Waverley. A natural progression from 1200 metres, to 1400 metres, now 1600 metres, is ideal, and with blinkers on she could get home strongly into a dividend bearing spot.

Riccarton:

As on Friday 4 November the conditions were: overcast and Dead6, rail true. There was 13mls of rain overnight in Christchurch but no rain forecast race day and temperatures up to 16 degrees in the afternoon.

12.40 p.m. R2 5 Latin Rose (5 m Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Michael McNab; resumed here with a notable effort in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres, clearing traffic to work home solidly for a close fourth, and steps up in trip for the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. A winner second up, with two of her three wins over this distance, she can be afforded a good chance.

12.40 p.m. R2 10 Tavis Star (5 m Tavistock - Megapins) - Matt Cameron; recorded a dominant fresh up win in the $20,000 Rating 65 1400 metres at Ashburton, nailing her opponents with a big sprint over the final 200 metres, and drops in weight from 58kgs to 55kgs for the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Already competitive in this grade, she will be strongly supported in the betting market to win again.

2.26 p.m. R5 12 Madame Jamai (5 m Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - Matt Cameron; worked to lead and found plenty when finishing second here on 22 October in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres, a race in which Latin Rose finished fourth. She faces a major step up in class for the $50,000 Pegasus Handicap (Listed, 1000m) but carries only 53kgs, has a grand course record, and good fitness levels for the task.

3.41 p.m. R7 1 Heroic Valour (3 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Michael McNab; was gallant in defeat when contesting the $50,000 Barneswood Farm Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Ashburton, without denting his prospects ahead of the $400,000 Sothys 44^th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). As a Group One winner of the $200,000 Diamond Stakes, victorious in four of his six starts, and with a lovely preparation for the race, he currently offers very good value, on the fourth line of betting, at $8.50 & $2.50 in the fixed odds market. Make no mistake; he has the right credentials to win.

3.41 p.m. R7 4 Hall of Fame (3 c Savabeel - Around the Clock) - Matt Cameron; increased his stocks for the 2000 Guineas when racing away to win the $70,000 Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m) by five lengths here on 22 October, following a devastating win in the $20,000 Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial over 1400 metres here on 1 October. Two starts on the course for two wins gives him the wood on others, and with form around Ugo Foscolo ($5.50) he appears a terrific chance of completing a hat-trick. Stable jockey Matt Cameron faced a difficult choice between these two top colts, and from barrier three should get all favours aboard the second favourite ($4.80 & $1.80).

4.21 p.m. R8 10 Love Actually (4 m Swiss Ace - Just Platonic) - Matt Cameron; has been given a month between runs, after resuming with a fresh up fourth in the Rating 65 1200 metres at Timaru. She should appreciate track conditions in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, has blinkers on, but will need some luck in running from a wide draw.

4.21 p.m. R8 14 Carmenize (4 m Any Suggestion - Zevita) - Michael McNab; broke through for a deserved win in the Maiden 1200 metres on Labour Day Monday 24 October at Oamaru, and steps up in grade for the $30,000 Rating 65 1200. Drawn even wider than her stable-mate Love Actually, she continues to improve but also requires luck.

5.01 p.m. R9 10 Imperium (5 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Matt Cameron; stripped in terrific order second up and acted accordingly with a big effort for second after being used early in the $20,000 Rating 65 2000 metres on 1 October at Riccarton, and as favourite he wound up a well timed finish to win the $20,000 Rating 65 2100 metres on 15 October at Ashburton. After carrying 60kgs in both those races he now drops to the minimum (53kgs) but faces a stern test rising in class to contest the $75,000 Metropolitan Handicap (Listed, 2500m). A bold performance could earn him a start next Saturday in the $250,000 New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m).

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