Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has one horse entered for the nine-race programme at Rotorua, and three on the nine-race card at Ashburton, Saturday October 18.

Rotorua:
As on Friday Oct. 17 the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail true.

1.25 p.m. R2 6 Smashing (3 f Pins - Ruud Van Slaats) - Danielle Johnson; led a genuine tempo and found plenty in finishing second when fresh-up on Sept. 27 in the Rating 65 1200 metres. Impressive winning on debut over 1000 metres, she faces an even line-up of promising young horses in the 3YO 1200 metres. Tactics will play a part in the field of eight and how the race unfolds for her in the early stages, from the outside gate, will likely determine the outcome.

Ashburton:
As on Friday October 17 the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true.

2.45 p.m. R5 11 Madame Jamai (3 f Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - Matt Cameron; has recorded two very good efforts this time in for second at Taupo - firstly behind subsequent winner Bonniegirl (Darci Brahma) and more recently on Sept. 19 to Champagne Rein (Captain Rio). Drawn barrier eight in the Maiden 1200 metres, she has plenty of gate speed to take up a handy position and the right form on the board to prove tough.

4.32 p.m. R8 6 Darci's Dream (3 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - David Walsh (main picture); came from seventh and sustained sprint from the 300 metres to dash clear of her rivals in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on Sept. 20 at Riccarton. Stabled since with other Te Akau horses on the course at Riccarton, she has continued to thrive and looks to make it a hat-trick when contesting the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m). A robust filly that displays all the right attributes, she can find a position in midfield from barrier eleven and give a very good account - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

4.32 p.m. R8 7 Flaming (3 f Bachelor Duke - Flying Firebird) - Matt Cameron; drew the outside barrier resuming in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Sept. 20 at Hastings, before dashing through the pack from second last to finish runner-up to Group One winner O'Marilyn (O'Reilly). She impressed winning over 1200 metres towards the end of her two-year-old campaign and should be ready to pounce following a nice trip from barrier five.

Trainer Jason Bridgman prepared Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago) to win the corresponding race last year (quinellaed with Chambord), Abidewithme (Redoute's Choice) (2012) and King's Rose (Redoute's Choice) (2010), while Te Akau has also won the race with Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago) (2006), Sea Saint (Orpen) (2005) and King's Chapel (King of Kings) (2003) - Corsage also finished first but was relegated to third.