Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses entered for the nine race programme at Ruakaka, and two for the eight races at Ashburton on Saturday 12 September.     

Ruakaka:

As on Friday 11 September the conditions were: showery and Dead6, rail true.

1.45 p.m. R4 3 Beacon of Hope (3 g Fastnet Rock - Randaroo) - Matt Cameron; recovered well for fourth on debut after missing the start in the Maiden 1200 metres on Slow9 footing at Taupo, and comes off 24 days to contest the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres from an inside barrier. Having done well in the interim, stepping up in distance should suit and a rousing performance in this field would provide a good form line going forward.

2.47 p.m. R6 7 Xtravagant (3 c Pentire - Axiom) - Matt Cameron; impressed winning by 7 ¼ lengths on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1400 metres at Hastings, then spelled. He resumes off 147 days in the Tavistock Northland Breeders' Stakes (Listed, 1200m), from barrier four, against the best two-year-olds from last season - seven of the nine are fresh up. Using the race a precursor to the Hawke's Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 3 October at Hastings, he may find one or two more precocious over the sprint but his brother, He's Remarkable, impressed winning his only start here (fresh-up in September) and this colt has the natural ability to perform with credit - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

2.47 p.m. R6 9 Stella Di Paco (3 f Paco Boy - Savabeel Star) - Vinnie Colgan; found the very heavy conditions too tough last time out at Matamata, and a truer guide can be taken through her course/distance fourth on 11 July when running home solidly behind race rival Amarula (Thorn Park). She was 50-1 winner of the Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) in May and the better track conditions will suit.

Ashburton:

As on Friday 11 September the conditions were: fine and Slow7, rail out 3 metres.

2.05 p.m. R4 6 Risque (3 f Darci Brahma - So Explicit) - David Walsh; ran on solidly for sixth despite being inconvenienced on rain-affected Slow7 footing when resuming off 103 days in the Maiden 1000 metres on 19 August at Taupo. She separated High Class (Shocking) and stable-mate Tatters (Tavistock) - the latter a winner midweek at Te Rapa - in her only start as a two-year-old and has both the speed on her dam-side and class to pose a genuine threat in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1200 metres.

2.38 p.m. R5 4 Madame Jamai (4 m Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - Doni Prastiyou (a2); in footing too testing (Heavy10) she worked home nicely when trialling recently at Te Teko, and travelled south through the week to join the Te Akau team based at Riccarton. A smart winner over 1200 metres on good footing during Cup Week last November at Riccarton, she resumes off 133 days from barrier six in the Rating 65 1200 metres. With improvement to come, she has acted fresh-up previously.