Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses racing at two venues on Saturday 29 April: Te Rapa and Hastings.

Te Rapa:

As on Friday 28 April the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. 1.5mls rain forecast race day morning, 5.5mls midday to 6.00 p.m. 

2.24 p.m. R4 10 Echezeaux (5 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - Opie Bosson; sustained a good gallop under minimal urging for third when trialling over 1200 metres on 21 March at Matamata, resuming off 84 days with the fastest last 600m (35.6) for second in the Rating 85 1400 metres a fortnight ago at Hastings. Although facing opponents rated higher in the $100,000 Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), her stakes' placing over 2200 metres should ensure she sees out the trip. Fixed odds: $12.50 & $3.50.

2.59 p.m. R5 3 Splurge (4 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Opie Bosson; has won five of his last six starts, most recently with a powerful display in the Darley Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Derby Day (4 March) at Ellerslie. He showed his class when winning a trial over 1050 metres on Monday at Taupo, with Bosson aboard, and although a wide barrier to contend with he must be tough in the $40,000 Open 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.10.

3.34 p.m. R6 1 Hall of Fame (3 c Savabeel - Around the Clock) - Opie Bosson; freshened since the Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) here in February, he contests the $70,000 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). Clearly highest rated on the strength of his Group One victory in the Levin Classic (1600m), he has been a high quality galloper from the outset and boasts a record of three starts for a win and two seconds over 1200 metres. He pleased the rider in a training gallop during the week and warrants favouritism. Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.15.

3.34 p.m. R6 17 Play for Time (3 f Foxwedge - Procrastinate) - Michael McNab; resumed off 78 days with a brave effort for second in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 9 April at Pukekohe. She faces a major rise in class for the $70,000 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and currently third on the ballot. Fixed odds: $61.00 & $15.00.

Hastings:

As on Friday 28 April the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 5.5 metres. Rain forecast after 6.00 p.m. Saturday.

12.30 p.m. R2 2 Age of Fire (2 c Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Johnathan Parkes; made up many lengths in his first trial on 7 March at Rotorua, showing good ability and a powerful action, was cost finishing closer by a wide run on 21 March at Matamata, and again trialled very well when sustaining a big finish for second over 1000 metres on 11 April at Avondale. He meets nine other debutants amongst ten rivals in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres, and drawn the widest, but certainly has his share of ability and deserves respect on the strength of both his trials and pedigree.

2.13 p.m. R5 12 Fastnet Fire (4 m Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Masa Tanaka; closed solidly for third over 1900 metres on the first day at Wairoa, but missed on the same course when backing up three days later. Off 62 days, she has drawn barrier three in the $20,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Already a course/distance winner, she had recorded a win and four thirds in the previous six races before her last start performance and can act fresh.

2.13 p.m. R5 13 Gardenier (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Miss Montjeu) - Dylan Turner; has been given time since being unsuited on shifty footing in the $20,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 25 March at Tauranga. Three starts ago she easily won her Maiden over 1400 metres on 9 February at Te Aroha, has blinkers on for this assignment in the $20,000 Rating 65 1600 metres but will require luck in running from barrier twelve.

2.13 p.m. R5 14 Tatters (4 m Tavistock - Rattle) - Shaun McKay; was reported by the rider to have never felt comfortable on Slow8 in the $30,000 Rating 65 1550 metres on 1 April at Awapuni, when race favourite on the strength of a very good effort for second in the $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 18 March at Te Rapa. She is well performed in some strong fields and can prove competitive with luck in running from barrier eight in the $20,000 Rating 65 1600 metres.

All three missed a start in the $10,000 Rating 65 1800 metres on 17 April with the abandonment of racing at Taupo.

2.48 p.m. R6 8 Grazia (4 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Dylan Turner; was unsuited to leading a slowly run tactical affair of only four horses in the Rating 75 2100 metres on 22 March at Pukekohe, after chasing down the pacemaker for a comfortable win in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 2100m on 1 March at Te Rapa, where she also collected an $11,500 bonus. Her two wins have been recorded on good footing, so track conditions should suit and despite meeting a pretty strong field in the $22,500 Rating 75 2100 metres she is drawn to receive a favourable trip from barrier four.