Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has two horses entered for the nine-race programme at Ellerslie, and one on the nine-race premier card at New Plymouth, Saturday 14 February.

Ellerslie:  

As on Friday 13 February the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail out 7.5 metres.

1.50 p.m. R3 6 Angelica Hall (4 m Guillotine - Greta Hall) - Matt Cameron; finished third in a recent trial behind Atlante (Fastnet Rock) and stable-mate Spellbinder (O'Reilly) at Cambridge, and resumes off 294-days in the Rating 85 1200 metres. She has impressed winning twice over this trip, acts fresh, finished second to Group one winner Bounding (Lonhro) here in the Mr Tiz Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) at a similar time last season and at best would test her rivals in this small but select field.

3.37 p.m. R6 3 Rockfast (3 c Fastnet Rock - Gypsy Princess) - Danielle Johnson; again finished second here to race favourite Volkstok'n'barrell (Tavistock) in the Karaka 3YO Mile (Listed, 1600m) on 25 January, having had the same result prior when resuming off 54-days in the Great Northern Guineas (Gr. 2, 1600m). Runner-up in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), he is a good quality colt and trainer Jason Bridgman feels the best of him would be seen over more distance. He gets his chance here in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), where he should combine nicely with this rider, and currently offers $10 & $2.80 in the TAB fixed odds market.

New Plymouth:  

As on Friday 13 February the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true.

3.15 p.m. R5 10 Enshrine (2 f Minstrel Court - Pinstinct) - Cameron Lammas; made good ground near the rail, from the rear, for fourth in the 2YO 1200 metres last Saturday at Te Rapa, and backs up in the Phoenix Park 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m). Capable of taking up handier position from barrier three, she has trained on well during the week and form surrounding her two performances thus far should see her in the equation.