Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing at two venues on Saturday 31 October.

Tauranga:

As on Friday 30 October the conditions were: drizzling and Dead5, rail true.

12.23 p.m. R1 4 Silverdale (6 g Castledale - Elianto) - Cameron Lammas; knuckled down over the concluding stages for fourth when resuming on 17 October in the Open 1200 metres at Otaki. Better for the run, he faces a field of five in the Open 1300 metres. He has raced well here previously and could go close.

1.53 p.m. R4 2 Bon Marche (4 g Nom Du Jeu - Las Vegas Lass) - Matt Cameron; had no chance of getting into the race from the rear, over a mile on 10 October at Matamata. Back in distance for the Maiden 1400 metres, he has blinkers on and will likely be ridden forward from barrier four.

2.28 p.m. R5 1 Wolfwhistle (5 g O'Reilly - Legs) - Michael McNab; needed the outing when resuming off 328 days in the Open 1400 metres on 2 October at Te Rapa. He has drawn barrier two in the Rating 85 1600 metres. Preparing to step over more distance, having recorded a hat-trick of wins over 2000 metres, he may find some opponents sharper at the mile but by the same token should race well.

4.36 p.m. R8 11 Osmunda (5 m O'Reilly - Wyndam Special) - Matt Cameron; came from tenth and dived through to win here on Oct. 16 when resuming in the Rating 65 1600 metres on Dead4 footing, and now steps up in grade for the Rating 75 1600 metres. Drawn to receive an economical trip from barrier one, she meets a far stronger field and her performance will act as good guide.

Awapuni:

As on Friday 30 October the conditions were: fine and Dead6, rail out 2 metres.

1.08 p.m. R2 4 Highly Likely (5 g High Chaparral - Starrinka) - Danielle Johnson; led, kicked and was only just claimed in the Rating 75 2000 metres at Matamata, after seeing off challengers to win eight days earlier in the Rating 65 2100 metres at Te Rapa. Appearing the likely leader in the Rating 75 2300 metres, he boasts the right form to prove competitive again.