Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses entered for the nine-race premier programme at Hastings and two on the nine-race card at Riccarton, Saturday September 20.

Hastings:

As on Friday September 19 the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail out 5 metres.

2.10 p.m. R4 6 Flaming (3 f Bachelor Duke - Flying Firebird) - Matt Cameron; sustained an injury contesting the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Listed, 1200m) in February and resumes off 210 days in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). She was impressive winning her previous start over 1200 metres at Te Rapa, after finishing fourth in each of three races beforehand, and has certainly furnished into a far stronger filly with the break. Her genuine attributes have been to the fore in each of two trials through August, for second and fourth respectively, and although drawn wide she has what it takes to finish closer than her $16 quote with TAB might suggest.

2.47 p.m. R5 11 Longbeach (4 g Fastnet Rock - Betwixt) - Leith Innes; was gelded at the end of his three-year-old season and resumes off 231 days from barrier one in the Rating 65 1400 metres. In strong form leading up to a win over a mile in January at Avondale, he indicated his readiness to kickoff when good through the line for third in a recent trial over 1200 metres at Cambridge. While destined to get over ground, he has what it takes to get some of the action in this field.

3.57 p.m. R7 4 Chambord (4 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Matt Cameron; sustained a big run from back in the field for second to Ryan Mark (Thorn Park) when fresh up in the Rating 85 1200 metres on Aug. 30, on the back of an impressive three and a half length win over 1200 metres in April at Te Rapa. Stepping to 1400 metres, from barrier five, will suit and he is certainly capable of justifying favouritism.

4.33 p.m. R8 15 Abidewithme (5 m Redoute's Choice - Crimson) - Matt Cameron; surged through gaps from last to finish right on them in fourth when resuming here in the Makfi Challenge Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and stepping to a mile, against similar rivals, in the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) should see her very competitive again. But, she requires one of her opponents to scratch in order to gain a start and a touch of Irish luck could be called for.

Riccarton:

As on Friday September 19 the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 8 metres.

2.57 p.m. R6 8 Bronte Lass (6 m Stravinsky - Little Dorritt) - Rosie Myers; has worked through the line nicely in each of two recent trials and resumes off 171 days in the Open Handicap 1200 metres. Having scored three of her four wins at a mile, including one on this course, the sprint trip could prove a touch sharp but she is a good mare in a fresh state and a bold performance would not surprise.

3.22 p.m. R7 3 Darci's Dream (3 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - David Walsh; put in a terrific bid to prevail against a strong field of three-year-old fillies over 1100 metres on Aug. 20 at Taupo, and now stages her claim in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m). Sharing favouritism ($4.40) amongst the top four, she is perfectly drawn in barrier four to give the contest a good shake.