Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing at three venues on Saturday 22 April: Ellerslie, Trentham, and Royal Randwick.

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 21 April the conditions were: overcast and Slow9, rail true. No rain forecast.

12.24 p.m. R2 4 Embellish (2 c Savabeel - Bling) - Opie Bosson; has been denied debuting on three occasions because of rain-affected going, but should get his chance here in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. His two trials, with Bosson aboard, registered a third and first respectively, most recently when cruising home off the front to beat stakes placed stable-mate Summer Monsoon (Stratum) on 21 March at Matamata. A brother to Group One winner Diademe, whom Bosson had a terrific association, he may prefer better footing but looks to have the class.

12.59 p.m. R3 5 Latin Rose (5 m Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Michael McNab; has been given time since contesting the Westbury Stud Classic (Gr. 2, 1400m) here in March and off 37 days she drops in class for the $30,000 Rating 85 1200 metres. On this course two starts ago, she coped admirably on slow going with a notable third to stable-mate Splurge (Savabeel) in the Rating 85 1200 metres, placed in two of three attempts here, and from barrier six is ideally drawn and weighted (54.5kgs) to race well. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.30.

2.44 p.m. R6 8 Foreigner (3 g Savabeel - Pins on Ice) - Opie Bosson; appeared entitled to finish stronger last time out over 1400 metres at Pukekohe, and he has the addition of visor blinkers in the $25,000 3YO 1400 metres. Bosson combined with him to win a Maiden 1400 metres in December at Rotorua, and although likely to be unfavoured in betting he has the ability to run a good race if appreciative of the footing.

Trentham:

As on Friday 21 April the conditions were: fine and Heavy10, rail out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

4.07 p.m. R8 12 Lady Pinot (4 m Starspangledbanner - Madame Echezeaux) - Masa Tanaka; never flinched after improving in the open to win a 1000-metre trial on 21 March at Matamata, and resumes off 320 days in the $20,000 Rating 65 1000 metres. A first up winner over this distance in March last year, on dead footing, much will depend on her appreciation of the ground.

Royal Randwick, Sydney:

As on Friday 21 April the conditions were: fine and Heavy8, rail out 2 metres. No rain forecast.

5.35 p.m. (NZ time) R8 5 Chance to Dance (7 g Teofilo - Crystal Ballet) - Christian Reith; was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis at the Inglis Chairman's Sale on March 30 in Sydney, and takes his place in the $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m). He was one of six to complete the event when initially run on 8 April, with a very game performance for second, but it was declared a ‘no race' (following a skirmish just past the post on the first lap). Very consistent through this campaign; no further back than fourth in seven starts, and a winner over 2400 metres two starts ago at Caulfield, he made ground for fourth under 58kgs in the Adelaide Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) and drops to 53kgs. Co-trainer Jamie Richards has been pleased with his condition in training and given his ability to go the distance he appears a top four chance again. Fixed odds: $15.00.