Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing at two venues on Saturday 6 February.

Te Rapa:

As on Friday February 5 the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. There is sporadic rain forecast.

1.47 p.m. R2 1 Flaming (4 m Bachelor Duke - Flying Firebird) - Michael McNab; fought hard for second in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres a fortnight ago at Trentham, and from the outside barrier (9) contests the corresponding event for $22,500. Rated six points above her nearest rival, she is handicapped with the top weight (60kg) and appears an each way chance with a good drag into proceedings.

3.00 p.m. R4 2 Bordeaux (4 g High Chaparral - Our Echezeaux) - Michael McNab; proved too good winning here last time in the Rating 75 2100 metres and although up two kilos to carry 59kgs he remains in the same grade. He meets a strong field, but has won three of his last five starts and should prove very competitive.

4.10 p.m. R6 2 Scrutinize (3 c O'Reilly - Legs) - Leith Innes; has blinkers on for the $100,000 Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m), after working home belatedly on January 24 in the $250,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka 3YO Mile (Listed, 1600m) at Ellerslie. Likely to settle off the pace from barrier eleven, the blinkers and increase in distance are expected to work in his favour.

4.45 p.m. 7 12 Vinevale (3 f Flying Spur - Eden Valley) - Danielle Johnson; received a lovely trail but never sighted daylight when fourth on January 15 in the Rating 65 NZB Pearl Series 1400 metres at Matamata, and contests the corresponding event worth $25,000 with a $20,000 bonus. Although the field is stronger, she has the ability to match her rivals and looks an each way chance from barrier five.

Wingatui:

As on Friday 5 February the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. There is no rain forecast.

1.30 p.m. R3 4 Sir Darci (5 g Darci Brahma - Dominant) - David Walsh; worked through the line solidly for fifth when resuming in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres on Dead5 footing at Gore, and expected to appreciate an increase in distance for the $25,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Ideally drawn in barrier three, he has trained on and rates a top three chance.

2.35 p.m. R5 8 Princess Davone (3 f Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - David Walsh; dipped at the start before finishing sixth when resuming in the $50,000 Gore Guineas (Listed, 1335m) and strips bright for the $50,000 Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1400m). She meets a stronger field, but has drawn favourably in barrier five and already placed twice at stakes level.