Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has one horse entered for the nine race programme at Ellerslie and two on the ten race premier card for Sires' Produce Stakes Day at Awapuni, Saturday  28 March.

Ellerslie:  

As on Friday 27 March the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail out 7 metres.

1.57 p.m. R3 1 Unsurpassed (2 c Exceed and Excel - Alamantra) - Cameron Lammas; freshened since contesting the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m) on Feb. 21 at Matamata, he never received all favours prior when finishing second to Rocanto (Per Incanto) on Jan. 31 in the 2YO 1200 metres at Te Rapa. Before racing, his two trials yielded wins on Slow7 and Dead5 footing, respectively, and although drawn the outside barrier in the 2YO 880 metres he has the right form to prove competitive.

Awapuni:  

As on Friday 27 March  the conditions were: cloudy and Good3, rail true.

2.50 p.m. R5 13 Vive La Difference (3 f Choisir - L'Artiste) - Leith Innes; finished fourth to race rival Promises (Keeper) in the NZB Pearl Series Rating 65 1600 metres for Fillies and Mares on rain-affected going at Te Aroha, with second placed Endean Rose (Savabeel) since winning comprehensively last Saturday at Tauranga. She faces a strong field in the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m), where forecast rain would aid her prospects.

4.39 p.m. R8 15 Angelica Hall (4 m Guillotine - Greta Hall) - Lisa Allpress; hit the line well for fourth in the Lightning Stakes (Listed, 1200m) a fortnight ago at Trentham, and steps up in distance for the Flying Handicap (Listed, 1400m). Having her fourth start this time, including two close up efforts over 1200 metres at Ellerslie, she has drawn wide in a very competitive race but carries only 53kgs to rate a chance with luck in running.