Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing on Saturday 4 November: Tauranga, and Awapuni.

Tauranga:

As on Friday 3 November the conditions were: showery and Dead6, rail true. 5mls rain forecast Friday, 16mls race day.

12.27 p.m. R1 1 Aquilo (3 g Snitzel - My My Maree) - Opie Bosson; resumes from barrier three in the $25,000 3YO 1200 metres. A fresh-up winner over 1230 metres as an autumn two-year-old on heavy ground at Rotorua, he subsequently finished third in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (Listed, 1100m) in May at Te Rapa. He meets a small but select field and has shown the ability to prove competitive.

3.29 p.m. R6 1 Splurge (5 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Opie Bosson; was never in contention from the rear when resuming in the Sweynesse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 21 October at Rotorua. Variance in his work regime since and blinkers on could see quick improvement and his class factor, as the winner of seven from 14, cannot be overlooked in the $35,000 Open 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.20.

Awapuni:

As on Friday 3 November the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 2 metres 800m - 400 and 4 metres remainder. Showers forecast Friday night, 4mls race day.

1.55 p.m. R4 1 Zambezi Warrior (5 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Cameron Lammas; circled wide and finished rearward in a resuming run that was better than it looked in the Rating 85 1400 metres on 21 October at Rotorua. He finished second in the Premier's Cup (Gr. 3, 2200m) and fourth in the Chairman's Handicap (Gr. 3, 2000m) in three starts during the winter carnival in Queensland. Drawn (2) to receive an economical trip in the $30,000 Rating 85 1550 metres, he has the quality to rate a top four chance in this field before stepping up again in distance. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.80.

3.10 p.m. R6 4 Vinevale (5 m Flying Spur - Eden Valley) - Cameron Lammas; was late getting clear before closing the gap solidly for third when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 6 October at Te Rapa, and steps up in the $25,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. A talented mare that has impressed winning from 1200m to 1500m, she meets a few rivals with ability but can get into contention with luck from a wide gate (11). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.