Te Akau NZ Taupo Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has ten horses entered during the eight-race programme on Monday September 9 at Taupo.

As at 9:02am on Sunday Sept. 8 the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail true.

1:13pm R2 17 Sing Like Ella (4 m Danasinga - Fitzgeralda) - Michael Dee (a3); rounded off nicely for fourth after being trapped wide in a preparatory trial over 800 metres at Te Teko. She finished third on debut in September last year, but does need a further three horses scratch to make the field in the Maiden 1000 metres. She is also entered for the Maiden Fillies and Mares 1200 metres on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Te Rapa, with this rider aboard.

1:48pm R3 3 Hardcore Rock (3 c Fastnet Rock - River Dreaming) - Matt Cameron; has displayed very good attributes in winning two preparatory trials ahead of his debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. A powerful individual, he has the foot speed to find a good position from barrier eight. Hailing from one of the great families in world racing, his third dam, All Along (Targowice), was Horse of the Year in the USA and won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, as did another member in the family Urban Sea (Miswaki) - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

1:48 R3 4 Sir Darci (3 g Darci Brahma - Dominant) - Kelly Myers; displayed a lovely action when winning a trial on Aug. 6 over 800 metres on Dead4 at Te Teko, with this rider aboard, and receives similar footing here to debut from barrier one. A grandson of AJC Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) and NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winning filly Domino (Grosvenor), he is out of a sister to grand sprinter Hero (Deputy Governor) and should receive every opportunity following a favourable trip.

2:23pm R4 7 Alchemy's Flight (3 f Darci Brahma - Eloa) - Kelly Myers; has looked good winning two preparatory trials and makes her debut from barrier eight in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Her dam, Eloa (Volksraad), was impressive in each of her three wins, including a fresh up victory in the Highview Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) in September 2004. She has solid pointers for a bold start to her career - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

2:23pm R4 9 Spellbinder (3 f O'Reilly - Scenic Sprint) - Matt Cameron; unwound stylishly to win her trial over 800 metres on Aug. 6 at Te Teko, and now unbeaten in three trials is ready to debut. From a Scenic mare that won over 1200m and 1400m, she should be able to take up a nice spot from barrier five and she possesses the quality to make an impact.

3:33pm R6 14 Cold Snap (5 m Pins - Forty Two Below) - Matt Cameron; struck worse footing than she prefers when resuming on Aug. 26 in the Benchmark 75 1200 metres at Avondale, but has shown to come through the race in very good order. Drawn wide in a competitive line up over the same distance, she will be looking for a nice drag into proceedings and the improved footing will aid her prospects.

4:08pm R7 11 Clos De Tart (4 m Darci Brahma - Rapid Kay) - Matt Cameron; came from eighth with a strong late close for third when resuming here on Aug. 19 in the Benchmark 65 1300 metres. La Vitesse (Darci Brahma) backed up her win in the race with another good effort for third on Saturday at Ellerslie. Likely to get back in running from barrier twelve in the corresponding race, she should again prove competitive with a decent trip in transit - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

4:08pm R7 13 Milan Miss (4 m Darci Brahma - Falaniella) - Michael Dee (a3); was a winner over 1400 metres in six starts through her first campaign and has drawn handily in barrier six for her resuming run. The team is looking for her to be finding the line in positive fashion, ahead of stepping over more distance. 

4:43pm R8 8 Wolfwhistle (3 c O'Reilly - Legs) - Matt Cameron; was given time to find his feet when resuming here, from a 114-day spell, over 1200 metres on Aug. 19. Still well back on straightening, he made good ground to finish third and should now appreciate the step up to 1300 metres. Drawn barrier eight, he will again be looking for a timely drag into the race - one of two in the event for Te Akau.

4:43pm R8 10 Chambord (3 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Kelly Myers; displayed a terrific turn of foot to win his trial over 1000 metres on Aug. 6 at Te Teko, and finished second after being posted wide on the track at the same venue on Aug. 27. A staying horse of the future, his dam recorded success over a sprint trip and he has shown the athletic attributes required to prove competitive on debut from barrier two.

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