Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses racing at three venues on Saturday 30 January.

Matamata:

As on Friday 29 January the conditions were: cloudy and Good3, rail out 6 metres. There is no rain forecast.

12.13 p.m. R1 11 Special Memories (3 f Fastnet Rock - Memories of You) - Michael McNab; came out of midfield with a solid performance for fourth when resuming off 67 days in the Rating 75 1400 metres at Te Rapa, and has trained on well. At her previous start, in November at Riccarton, she produced a tough effort for fourth to stable-mate Risque (Darci Brahma) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during a successful campaign which included a top win, and a stakes place in the Armadillo Stakes (Listed, 1600m). She has the form and ability to rate a first three chance in the $22,500 Rating 75 1600 metres.

1.23 p.m. R3 1 Sassy ‘N' Smart (2 f Smart Missile - Panorama Ridge) - Michael McNab; proved too classy winning on debut at Riccarton, and again on the same course in the $50,000 Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m). Off 77 days for the $20,000 2YO 1200 metres, in preparation for the $100,000 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on February 27, her form rates amongst the best two-year-olds in the country and a performance to match is expected.

3.10 p.m. R6 1 Silverdale (6 g Castledale - Elianto) - Michael McNab; made ground from last behind Hasselhoof (Tavistock) on January 1 in the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) at Ellerslie, and strikes a pretty good field in the $30,000 Open 1600 metres. His three course attempts, including a win, have been very good and from barrier five he appears a top four hope.

3.49 p.m. R7 6 Arpeggio (4 m Tavistock - Macchiato) - Vinnie Colgan; resumed with an impressive win on December 10 in the Rating 75 1200 metres at Hastings, and emulated the performance on January 1. Up in grade to contest the $25,000 Rating 85 1300 metres, her four wins from seven starts underpin her talent and she appears a good each way chance in a small but select field.

4.24 p.m. R8 11 Chambord (5 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Michael McNab; has trained on since resuming with a solid overall performance in the Open 1300 metres at Hastings, and has blinkers on in the $30,000 Open 1200 metres. A runner-up in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) at three, he was off the scene for twelve months with a fracture and further improvement will come for the run.

Trentham:

As on Friday 29 January the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail out 3 metres. There is no rain forecast.

12.36 p.m. R1 6 Smashing (4 m Pins - Ruud Van Slaats) - Cameron Lammas; has been given time since a solid effort for fifth in the $60,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, and contests the $25,000 Rating 85 1200 metres. Drawn the outside barrier (7) should be of little concern and providing she settles, in or near the lead, a top three finish should result.

1.11 p.m. R2 1 Heroic Valour (2 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Matt Cameron; makes his debut in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres, having trained on following two very good trials - in which he displayed enough gate to utilize barrier three. A lovely type of colt, he is a half-brother to Doncaster Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Triple Honour (Honours List). David Ellis purchased his brother for $510,000 on Tuesday at New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, and has already sold him.  Although destined to get over more ground, the manner of his trial performances paints him in the right light to commence with a bold showing.

4.49 p.m. R8 9 Duchess Kate (3 f Savabeel - Royal Prize) - Matt Cameron; displayed terrific acceleration, after weaving through from tenth on the rail, to win the $20,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on December 28 at Ellerslie, and since then has been set for the $70,000 Wellfield Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). Luck to secure a reasonable position from barrier thirteen, in a capacity field of eighteen, will play its part. But she can prove at least a first four chance if things go her way. 

Ashburton:

As on Friday 29 January the conditions were: fine and Dead6, rail true. There is no rain forecast.

4.03 p.m. R7 9 Madame Jamai (4 m Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - David Walsh; should have derived plenty of benefit since resuming off 63 days in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres at Trentham, and has blinkers on in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres. Her only course performance resulted in a good fresh up fourth, in September, on Slow8 footing and she can be afforded a top four chance on the strength of her southern form.

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