Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing at two venues on Saturday 14 May.

Rotorua:

As on Friday 13 May the conditions were: overcast and Slow7, rail true. Fine forecast race day.

11.58 a.m. R1 1 Highly Likely (5 g High Chaparral - Starrinka) - Daniel Miller (2.5); raced on pace and would not relent in winning the Maiden & Jumpers High-Weight 2100 metres on Slow7 at Tauranga, with this rider aboard, and meets a similar field in the $20,000 Rating 65 & Jumpers High-Weight 2200 metres. Generally a ‘horses for courses' kind of track, having not raced here poses a question against some rivals with good course form, but he should strike footing to suit.

12.22 p.m. R2 11 Tatters (3 f Tavistock - Rattle) - Michael Coleman; got back in a leader dominated $22,500 Rating 75 1400 metres at Hastings, and contests the $20,000 3YO 1400 metres. She strikes a stronger field, but won here three starts ago on slow footing with this rider aboard and appears bright for the assignment.

4.34 p.m. R9 3 Tavis Star (4 m Tavistock - Megapins) - Ryan Elliot (a3); produced a top effort for third when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on Slow7 at Te Aroha, and claims three kilos to 55kgs in the corresponding $20,000 event. She was narrowly beaten at her only course attempt, on Heavy10, and brings the right form to be competitive in this field.

New Plymouth:

As on Friday 13 May the conditions were: cloudy and Slow8, rail out 5 metres. Fine forecast race day.

12.08 p.m. R1 17 Zip Zap (2 f Stravinsky - Miss Zapper) - Cameron Lammas; makes her debut in the $10,000 NZB Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1200 metres and is eligible for the $8,000 bonus. She has displayed a will to ‘put in' at her two trial outings. Her dam, Miss Zapper (Red Ransom), had a liking for rain-affected footing, winning on debut over 1200 metres on heavy.

1.14 p.m. R4 12 Shillelagh (4 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Cameron Lammas; worked home stylishly the last bit when trialling at Te Teko, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 85 1200 metres. A classy mare, the winner of three from four, and a second, she combines well with this rider and although best on dead ground to date, her quality should provide the edge on most.

2.32 p.m. R6 11 Vinevale (3 f Flying Spur - Eden Valley) - Cameron Lammas; wound up late for second in the $22,500 Rating 75 1400 metres at Hastings, having resumed with an impressive win in the Rating 65 1200 metres on Slow7 at Te Aroha, with blinkers on, and appears a leading chance in the $22,500 Rating 75 1600 metres providing she is appreciative of the going.

4.22 p.m. R9 1 Skyscraper (4 g Manhattan Rain - Grand Performance) - Cameron Lammas; steps up in distance for the $20,000 Rating 65 1800 metres, but remains in the same grade after kicking clear off the front in the Rating 65 1600 metres on Slow7 at Tauranga. Visor blinkers helped him focus last start and he appears set to lead the field a merry chase.

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