Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses entered for the ten race programme on Saturday 29 August at Ruakaka.

As on Friday 28 August the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail true.

11.55 p.m. R2 2 Scrutinize (3 c O'Reilly - Legs) - Matt Cameron; impacted on debut when charging home to win his only start, in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on April 1 at Matamata. He quickened from off the pace for second in a recent trial at Te Teko and starts from barrier two in the 3YO 1200 metres. As a safeguard, he was also entered for the 1.35 p.m. Race 5 Rating 65 1200 metres but the 3YO event is a preferred option. A classy individual with a superb temperament, he is destined to excel over more ground but has what it takes to prove competitive in a sprint against only five rivals.

12.25 p.m. R3 11 Love Triangle (3 f Encosta De Lago - Love Diamonds) - Matt Cameron (pictured at the recent trials); debuts from barrier nine in a Maiden 1200 metres, having recorded a classy trial win on August 4 at Te Teko. From one of the best families (Eight Carat) in the stud book, Love Diamonds was a debutante winner over 1000 metres as a two-year-old and her grand-dam Tristalove (Sir Tristram) was Head of the 1992-93 NZ 2YO Free Handicaps and Joint Top Filly on the 1993-94 Australasian 3YO Classification. A beautiful filly, she will be all the rage to deliver.

1.00 p.m. R4 10 Amperage (3 c Zabeel - Miss Zapper) - Cameron Lammas; debuts from barrier five in a Maiden 1200 metres, after being late scratched from the Maiden 1300 metres following a track downgraded to Heavy10 last Wednesday at Taupo. Continuing to improve since a sound trial for third over 1200 metres at Te Teko, his family has its share of speed and also plenty of middle distance horses throughout the pedigree - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

1.00 p.m. R4 12 Interstellar (3 f Shamoline Warrior - Amathea) - Matt Cameron; positioned handy before striding clear for a smart trial win at Te Teko, she debuts from barrier twelve. A half-sister to NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Savaria (Savabeel), she traces back to Soliloquy (So Big), a foundation mare for the Moore family, and the presence of a few Group 1 winners. While trickier from a wide gate, she could go a cheeky race fresh up with luck in running.