Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has horses racing at two venues on Saturday 9 May: two on the nine race programme at Rotorua, and one on the nine race programme at New Plymouth.

Rotorua: 

As on Friday 8 May the conditions were: overcast and Slow9, rail true.

2.00 p.m. R5 8 Hysteria Lane (3 f Perfectly Ready - Lane Cove) - Michael Coleman; travelled best at the 400m, when circling widest, and worked clear on the outside strip to win the Maiden 1200 metres here on April 15. She copped the Heavy10 footing and remains at the same distance in the Rating 65 1200 metres. She has the right credentials to prove competitive again from barrier nine, despite the rise in grade.

3.12 p.m. R7 7 Flirty Gertey (4 m Thorn Park - Granma Gertey) - Josh Oliver (a2); drops back to her rightful grade following a solid effort for fifth on April 18 in the Rating 85 on Dead4 ground at Hastings, having resumed here prior off 91-days when finishing second to subsequent winner Illuminati (Keeper) in the Rating 75 1400 metres. She finished second in the 3YO 1400 metres at the corresponding meet last year on Heavy10 and with the benefit of weight relief to 55.5kgs she can round off solidly from off the pace.

New Plymouth: 

As on Friday 8 May the conditions were: cloudy and Heavy10, rail out 4.5 metres.

12.05 p.m. R2 9 Love Actually (2 f Swiss Ace - Just Platonic) - rider to be advised; resumes off 134-days, having contested a strong two-year-old race over 1100 metres, won by subsequent Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Del Cielo (Per Incanto), on Boxing Day at Ellerslie. A recent third in a good form trial behind subsequent winner Massa Lu (Makfi) should have brought her on nicely for this, and while a three-year-old type in the making she is capable of a bold showing from barrier seven. She has also been nominated for the 2YO 1150 metres next Wednesday at Te Awamutu.