Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses entered for the ten-race card at Te Rapa, and three on the ten-race premier programme at Riccarton, Saturday November 8.

Te Rapa:
As on Friday November 7 the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true.

12.07 p.m. R1 4 Fine Choice (2 c Coats Choice - She's Refined) - Cameron Lammas; makes his debut in the 2YO 1000 metres. In a recent trial over 650 metres, on Oct. 23 at Cambridge, he showed gate speed to race on the lead and found plenty to win when drawing clear with a rival. Drawn wide in barrier ten, trainer Jason Bridgman will assess the field at scratching time on Saturday morning before making a decision whether to start.

12.42 p.m. R2 12 Seline (4 m Pentire - Dion) - Cameron Lammas; resumes off 189-days in the Maiden 1400 metres, from barrier one. A stronger mare now, she won a recent trial in hand over 1200 metres on Oct. 23 at Cambridge, and while destined to get over more ground she can make an impact fresh up.

1.17 p.m. R3 6 Prince Henry (3 g Henrythenavigator - Ocean of Tears) - Cameron Lammas; kept up a strong gallop to win well on debut at Taupo, and emulated the effort when up in class he finished third to Bonniegirl (Darci Brahma) in the 3YO 1200 metres on Oct. 11 at Matamata. Ideally drawn in barrier three for the Rating 65 1400 metres, he strikes a couple with similar form at three-year-old level and shapes as a good each way chance to match them.

5.07 p.m. R9 10 Rapid Gain (5 g Flying Spur Occasional Gain) - Cameron Lammas; has been given 24-days since contesting the Rating 75 1400 metres at Avondale, and has blinkers off stepping to a mile from barrier five. Very capable on his day, and having recorded his three wins left-handed, an encouraging performance is expected provided the footing remains reasonable.

5.47 p.m. R10 4 Longbeach (4 g Fastnet Rock - Betwixt) - Cameron Lammas; charged home late for a close third resuming over 1400 metres at Hastings, and followed with a solid third when stepping to a mile on Oct. 11 at Matamata. Again contesting a Rating 65 1600 metres, he has drawn a touch awkwardly in barrier eleven but recorded a very good second here over a mile to The Fire Inside (Sir Percy) in November last season and can prove competitive in this field - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

5. 47 p.m. R10 14 Tiara (4 m O'Reilly - Royal Lady) - Lee Magorrian (a3); showed courage to find the line off a wide run in midfield when resuming on Oct. 11 in the Rating 65 1400 metres at Matamata, and steps up to a mile in the same grade. A staying mare in the making, she sustained a big run in her lead up to the Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) when second to Chazelle (High Chaparral) over 2100 metres in February on this course. She staged a massive run to win her maiden over a mile at Tauranga, and can show up if able to negate a wide draw.

Riccarton:
As on Friday November 7 the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail true.

1.37 p.m. R3 3 Bronte Lass (6 m Stravinsky - Little Dorritt) - Matt Cameron; made up many lengths for third here on Oct. 25 in the Rating 85 1600 metres and has drawn barrier two for the corresponding event. In a field reduced to eight, she has the measure of most in this field, on paper, and another bold performance is expected.

2.12 p.m. R4 3 Wolfwhistle (4 h O'Reilly - Legs) - Matt Cameron; found room and extended nicely to win the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) here on Oct. 25 and although up in weight from 53kgs to carry 58kgs he does drop back in grade to contest the Rating 85 2000 metres. He strikes different opponents and not necessarily a weaker line up, but he brings strong winning form and has done well in the interim from the Te Akau base on course at Riccarton.

4.07 p.m. R7 7 Rockfast (3 c Fastnet Rock - Gypsy Princess) - Matt Cameron; tried valiantly when beaten a short head last time out on Oct. 25 in the 3YO 1400 metres at Trentham. In his two lead up runs prior he raced away to win by three lengths when resuming over 1200 metres at Te Rapa, and after being smartly away in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) he worked home from a handy position for sixth. Although a $10 chance in the TAB fixed odds market his form is no less inferior to that of his rivals and a touch of give in the ground should aid his prospects in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).