Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has two horses entered for the nine race premier programme at Hastings, and five during the ten races at Riccarton, Saturday 19 September.  

Hastings:

As on Friday 18 September the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail out 5 metres.

3.05 p.m. R6 8 Love Triangle (3 f Encosta De Lago - Love Diamonds) - Matt Cameron; proved superior winning three weeks ago on debut over 1200 metres at Ruakaka and from barrier one she steps up to contest the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). The ability of her rival three-year-old fillies makes the rise even more substantial but she is a special filly in her own right. Opened the fixed odds favourite for the race by NZ TAB, she should receive a lovely run in transit and a timely out to challenge rests with the premiership winning rider for the past two seasons.

4.55 p.m. R9 19 Ekraarstatic (5 m Ekraar - Nugget Point) - Matt Cameron; is a staying mare looking to resume in the Rating 85 1400 metres, but currently second on the ballot and unlikely to make the field. In addition, she has drawn very wide and would just be there for an outing over the shorter trip in a pretty hot field. Otherwise, she appears to be coming up very well and once up in distance should be adding to her four wins.

Riccarton:

As on Friday 18 September the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail out 8-9 metres.

11.50 a.m. R1 10 Bishop Rock (3 c Fastnet Rock - Festival Princess) - Cameron Lammas; makes his debut from barrier ten in the Maiden 1200 metres. Quickening when asked for a win and second respectively, trialling recently at Te Teko, he combines with Cameron Lammas who rode him to win. While destined to stretch out to middle distances, he has both the speed and precocity to warrant the tote support.

1.32 p.m. R4 7 Vive La Difference (4 m Choisir - L'Artiste) - Cameron Lammas; resumed off 140 days with a solid run for third here in the Rating 75 1200 metres, having ended her previous campaign with a top run for third to Werther (Tavistock) in Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) at Ellerslie. Although shaping to go considerably further, the step up in distance for the Rating 75 1400 metres should assist and she has the class to win from barrier three.

3.47 p.m. R8 2 Windborne (3 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Rosie Myers; was last presented for the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m), having won the Murdoch Newell 2YO Stakes (Listed, 1100m) in the lead up. Resuming off 237 days in the Canterbury Belle Stakes, having had a trial, and exhibition gallop last Saturday at Ashburton, she has the fleet of foot to utilize barrier one and acts in a fresh state - one of three in the race for Te Akau.

3.47 p.m. R8 4 Princess Davone (3 f Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - David Walsh; scored a resounding fresh up win here a fortnight ago in the Maiden 1200 metres on slow ground, and warrants her place in this field. She has also been nominated for the Rating 65 1400 metres, currently fourth on the ballot. While looking to step up in distance, the prospect of a decent tempo should allow her to prove competitive - one of three in the race for Te Akau.

3.47 p.m. R8 7 Special Memories (3 f Fastnet Rock - Memories of You) - Cameron Lammas; was all at sea in the shifty going when resuming off 179 days in the 3YO Fillies 1100 metres at Taupo, and after travelling south she contests this event 31 days later. She worked through the line on the bridle during an exhibition gallop with stable-mate Windborne last Saturday at Ashburton, and assistant trainer Pam Gerard sees her as a big improver providing the track remains reasonable.