Te Akau NZ Weekend Preview

Above - Imperial Miss (aka Poppy) in her final track gallop before Saturday's assigment

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses entered during the ten-race premier programme at Hastings, and one on the eight-race card at Riccarton, Saturday October 5.

Hastings:

As at 8:46am on Friday Oct. 4 the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail out 2.5 metres.

2:40pm R5 14 Imperial Miss (5 m Shinko King - Nanset) - Matt Cameron; resumed from a 133-day break on Sept. 14 with a solid performance for third in the Benchmark 85 1400 metres on Dead4 footing at Ruakaka. From barrier one, she should receive all favours and possesses the ability to be in the action at the business end. Two of her three wins have been recorded over the 1600-metre trip.  

3:18pm R6 5 All Decked Out (3 c Darci Brahma - Diamond Deck) - Matt Cameron; came off a 63-day let up on Sept. 14 in the Westbury 3YO Challenge (Listed, 1200m) on Dead4 footing at Ruakaka, when circling wide from twelve lengths off the lead at the 800 metres he sustained a massive run for third to El Roca. His dam, Diamond Deck (Octagonal), was an impressive winner of the Highview Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on this course, and this strong, athletic colt can give them plenty to think about with a trip to suit from barrier six in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

3:18pm R6 9 Wolfwhistle (3 c O'Reilly - Legs) - Leith Innes; tracked up beautifully from eighth in running before extending in classy fashion to win on Sept. 9 over 1300 metres at Taupo. From barrier ten he will again be given time to find his feet and then look for an ideal drag into proceedings to round off strongly. His dam, Legs (Pins), included a win in the Kelt Capital Stakes (Gr. 1, 2040m) on this course.

5:12pm R9 13 Thrive (6 m Colombia - Trove) - Matt Cameron; powered clear from a handy position to easily win the Merial Metric Mile (Gr. 3, 1600m) on Sept. 14 at Awapuni, and has trained on in peak form since to warrant a start in the weight-for-age Spring Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m). Negating the outside gate in a field of fourteen, to settle and relax in a nice position, is going to take both skill and an ounce of luck. But, if it pans out she presents in the right shape to give a genuine account.

Riccarton:

As at 8:45am on Thursday Oct. 3 the conditions were: overcast and Good3, rail out 6 metres.

2:56pm R5 1 Viana (5 m Volksraad - Hecuba) - Ashley Frye (a2); resumed from a 141-day break in the Benchmark 75 1400 metres here on Sept. 21, with this rider aboard, staging a big run from last at the 800 metres to finish second. Up to a mile, from barrier three, on good footing, are factors in her favour and she has a very good affinity with this course.

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