Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses entered for the nine race premier card at Te Aroha, and one horse on the nine race programme at Hastings, Saturday April 4.

Te Aroha:  

As on Thursday April 2 the conditions were: cloudy and Dead5, rail true.

12.53 p.m. R2 9 Smashing (3 f Pins - Ruud Van Slaats) - Cameron Lammas; rallied gamely for fourth after setting a fast pace on March 14 in the 3YO 1200 metres at Te Rapa, won by subsequent five length winner Shees Flawless (Fully Fledged). She steps up in trip for the 3YO 1400 metres, a distance at which her dam impressed, and able to travel comfortably near the pace should see her competitive in this field - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

12.53 p.m. R2 10 Flaming (3 f Bachelor Duke - Flying Firebird) - Matt Cameron; ran a solid race for third to rival Fully Funded (Fully Fledged) on March 21 in the 3YO 1300 metres. Worked well through the week and with two runs under her belt this time in she is capable of proving her mettle in this line up.

2.41 p.m. R5 4 Darci's Dream (3 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Matt Cameron; was unable to get into the race resuming off 72-days on March 14 in the 3YO 1200 metres at Te Rapa. Up in trip to contest the Rating 75 1400 metres should suit and having finished runner-up in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) last November indicates she is capable of better.

3.15 p.m. R6 6 Costa Viva (4 m Encosta De Lago - Vivacious Spirit) - Matt Cameron; resumes off 143-days in the Rating 85 1200 metres. Following a solid hit out for second in a trial at Rotorua, she worked up nicely in an exhibition gallop on the same course last Friday and strips in the right order for a fresh up run over the sprint trip. A former winner of the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and New Bloodstock Filly of the Year, she has the quality to make her presence felt.

4.25 p.m. R8 5 Abidewithme (5 m Redoute's Choice - Crimson) - Michael McNab; produced an eye-catching late run for a close fourth in the Westbury Classic (Gr. 3, 1400m) during cup week at Ellerslie, and comes off an ideal 31-day break into the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). This prestigious event always draws a very competitive field and while requiring luck in running from a wide draw she has the acceleration to work into the finish - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

4.25 p.m. R8 8 Spellbinder (4 m O'Reilly - Scenic Sprint) - Matt Cameron; returned to her best with a resounding last start win on March 14 in the Open 1400 metres at Te Rapa. Resuming prior, she recorded a big performance for second over 1200 metres to Recite (Darci Brahma) in track record time (1:08.14), at Matamata. Third to stable-mate Costa Viva in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), she has struck winning form at the right time to be afforded a genuine chance in the race.

Hastings:  

As on Wednesday April 1 the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail out 5 metres.

5.19 p.m. R9 5 Osmunda (4 m O'Reilly - Wyndam Special) - Shannon Doyle; worked home from eighth to finish fourth on March 20 in the Rating 65 1600 metres at Waipukurau, having resumed off 121-days when finishing third of four to subsequent winner Girl of My Dreams (Gold Centre) in the Rating 75 1600 metres on Feb. 25 at Te Rapa. She now steps up in distance to contest the Rating 65 2000 metres and should be finding the line solidly with a few favours off a wide gate.