Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has one horse entered for the ten-race premier programme at Te Rapa and one on the nine-race card at Awapuni, Saturday December 13.

Te Rapa:  
As on Friday December 12 the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail out 2 metres.

5.03 p.m. R9 2 Abidewithme (5 m Redoute's Choice - Crimson) - Matt Cameron; was only just denied victory following a duel with Zennista (Zeno Rob Roy) in the weight-for-age Sofitel Luxury Hotels Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) on Nov. 4 at Ellerslie. At her previous start, she took ground off the leading division when finishing fifth in the weight-for-age Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) at Hastings. Off 39-days and never out of second gear when finishing runner-up to Diademe (Savabeel) in a recent trial at Cambridge, she strips in terrific shape for the Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m). Meeting a proud cast of mares, she is suited by weight-for-age conditions as the second highest rated horse in the field but will require some deft handling from a wide draw to convert.

Awapuni:  
As on Friday December 12 the conditions were: overcast and Slow7, rail out 6 metres.

4.12 p.m. R7 6 No Tricks (3 f Savabeel - Mezaire) - Samantha Collett; sustained a big run from off the pace for second on Oct. 25 in the Rating 65 1400 metres at Ellerslie. Having missed out on contesting the Wellington Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) through the abandonment at Otaki, she indicated her readiness for the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) with a stylish third in the same trial as stable-mate Abidewithme (Redoute's Choice) [above] at Cambridge. Trainer Jason Bridgman feels the slow ground will assist her prospects and she looks a live chance, given her smart maiden win by 3.3 lengths on Oct. 8 at Taupo.