Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing on Saturday 14 January at Ellerslie, and Trentham.

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 13 January the conditions were: overcast and Good3, rail out 9 metres. No rain forecast.

1.47 p.m. R3 1 Heroic Valour (3 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Michael McNab; was very game when finishing third in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November at Riccarton, with McNab aboard, and resumes off 70 days in the $20,000 3YO 1500 metres. He signalled his readiness with an excellent exhibition gallop with stable-mate Xtravagant (Pentire) here on 29 December, running the last 600m in 33.2. A Group One winner of the Diamond Stakes (1200m) last season as a two-year-old, at his only course attempt, he is a big colt with a good turn of foot and despite carrying top weight (60.5kgs), is the horse they have to beat.

1.47 p.m. R3 3 Foreigner (3 g Savabeel - Pins on Ice) - Leith Innes; had to be good off a wide run to claim stable-mate Scarlet Princess (Redwood) on the line when fresh-up in the Maiden 1400 metres on 27 December at Rotorua, and steps up in class for the $20,000 3YO 1500 metres. Solid when fourth here on Melbourne Cup Day, at his only course attempt, he is a big strong horse that should not be overshadowed in this field especially from barrier one.

2.22 p.m. R4 7 Melody Belle (2 f Commands - Mejeka Belle) - Michael McNab; comes in off a nice 42 days since being caught wide on the pace and fighting hard for third in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) at Trentham. She had beaten subsequent winning stable-mate Summer Monsoon (Stratum) on debut prior, has plenty of natural talent and just requires luck from a wide draw to be competitive in this field. She currently sits seventh in the order of entry for the $1m Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) here on 29 January.

Trentham:

As on Friday 13 January the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out true. No rain forecast.

1.26 p.m. R2 5 Aquilo (2 c Snitzel - My My Maree) - Opie Bosson; makes his debut in the $30,000 2YO 1200 metres after showing very good attributes when winning his only trial on 13 December at Te Aroha, beating ensuing big winner Felton Road (Pins). The form could not read better for this powerfully built colt, whose leading first season sire has already left twelve individual two-year-old winners. A half-brother to Group One winning two-year-old Marky Marky (Makfi), he is in the deep against some well performed juveniles but should acquit himself well.

3.08 p.m. R5 3 Sebrose (6 g Sebring - Bramble Rose) - Opie Bosson; was eye-catching from last when resuming off 209 days over a mile on 10 December at Te Rapa, and his fourth since in the Stratford Cup (2000m) should have tidied him up nicely for the $70,000 Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m). The field, as expected, brings together thirteen inform staying horses and a good performance will continue his preparation ahead of the $500,000 Auckland Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) on March 11 at Ellerslie.

4.19 p.m. R7 2 Hall of Fame (3 c Savabeel - Around the Clock) - Opie Bosson; was back with a vengeance when resuming off 51 days with an impressive victory on Boxing Day in the 3YO 1400 metres at Ellerslie, with Bosson aboard, and the five-length Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m) winner has since been favourite for the $225,000 Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m). Drawn barrier one ensures economy in the run and his ability to accelerate when required can see the support justified.