Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has ten horses racing at two venues on Saturday 14 November.

Tauranga:

As on Friday 13 November the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 2.5 metres.

12.25 p.m. R2 3 Silverdale (6g Castledale - Elianto) - Cameron Lammas; ran a solid third to race rival Gustavo (Savabeel) in a field of five for the Open 1300 metres here a fortnight ago, with this rider aboard. Fitter for two runs back and destined to get over more ground, he still shapes as a genuine threat from barrier three in the $25,000 Open 1400 metres.

4.02 p.m. R7 16 Babilloni (5g Cecconi - Babillard) - unfixed; second on the ballot. Drawn the ace, he is fitter for recent racing but would have to be considered a long shot in this field.

4.37 p.m. R8 14 Osmunda (5m O'Reilly - Wyndam Special) - Reese Jones; came from tenth and dived through to win the Rating 65 1600 metres here on 16 October when resuming, and never had a lot of room in the straight when returning to the same venue for the Rating 75 1600 metres a fortnight ago. Again contesting the $18,500 Rating 75 1600 metres, she strikes a strong field and plenty of pace would offer the best chance of getting amongst the finish.

Riccarton:

As on Friday 13 November the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail out 2 metres 1200m - 700m and remainder true.

12.10 p.m. R2 10 Vive La Difference (4m Choisir - L'Artiste) - Matt Cameron; travelled a little too keenly first time in blinkers and after reaching the lead was collared to finish second here last Saturday in the Rating 85 2000 metres. Gaining just reward when winning the Rating 75 1800 metres here prior, a plan to ride a touch quieter gives her a strong chance in the $40,000 Rating 85 1800 metres.

12.45 p.m. R3 7 Madame Jamai (4m Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - Matt Cameron; caught the start well and after travelling kindly outside the leader she shot away for a smart win in the Rating 75 1100 metres here last Saturday. Penalized two kilos to carry 56kg, but in the same grade to contest the $40,000 1200 metres, she has thrived during the week and can make it three from three on the course - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

12.45 p.m. R3 12 Flaming (4m Bachelor Duke - Flying Firebird) - Michael McNab; went to the line untested on 24 October 24 in the Rating 75 1200 metres at Riccarton, behind winning stable-mate Opulent (Keeper), and found the line belatedly for fifth in the Rating 75 1200 metres on Melbourne Cup Day at Wingatui. She was a course/distance winner three starts ago and can be in it with a touch of luck.

1.55 p.m. R5 5 Sassy ‘N' Smart (2f Smart Missile - Panorama Ridge) - Matt Cameron; was slowly away but still proved too classy on debut when winning the 2YO 800 metres here three weeks ago and will be all the rage in the $50,000 Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m). She has done very well being based on course and has a barrier blanket on to assist in the gates.

3.09 p.m. R7 7 Risque (3f Darci Brahma - So Explicit) - Matt Cameron; travelled up best in behind runners and quickened impressively to win the $70,000 Armadillo Stakes (Listed, 1600m) her on 24 October and now gets her chance in the $300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). An 11-length winner three starts ago at Ashburton, and second with a big performance between wins, she has the athleticism to measure up in this field from barrier three - one of three in the race for Te Akau.

3.09 p.m. R7 11 Special Memories (3f Fastnet Rock - Memories of You) - Alysha Collett; over-raced yet still fought hard off a tough run for third to Risque in the Armadillo, after drawing clear off the trail for a commanding win here on 3 October in the 3YO 1400 metres with this rider aboard. Her preparation has been building and expected to position handily from barrier six she rates a top five chance - one of three in the race for Te Akau.

3.09 p.m. R7 12 Princess Davone (3f Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Michael McNab; surged through the pack to all but win the $50,000 John Grigg Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Oct. 17 at Ashburton, she overcame difficulties in finishing third to stable-mate Windborne (Darci Brahma) in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) after a resounding win here. Like her stable-mates above, she too boasts a lovely prep for this race and with blinkers on from barrier four there are positives to see her in the finish.