NZ Weekend Preview
Date: 22 Apr 2013
A busy Saturday for Te Akau NZ in the north and in the south.
Te Akau New Zealand has one horse entered for the nine-race premier programme at Hastings, and four on the nine-race card at Riccarton, Saturday April 20.
Hastings:
As at 9:00am on Thursday April 18 the conditions were: fine and Dead6, rail in the true position.
4:51pm R9 2 Imperial Miss (4 m Shinko King - Nanset) - Daniel Miller (a4); was authoritative beating 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rollout The Carpet in a trial on April 11 at Cambridge, in preparation to resume from a spell in the Benchmark 75 1400 metres. Rated 81 and handicapped to carry 60kgs, the stable apprentice eases the impost to 56kgs. Drawing a wide barrier may prove advantageous depending on the pattern of racing towards the end of the meeting. She ended her previous campaign with a strong third in Rating 85 grade at Ellerslie, and having won three of her eight starts she rates a solid chance with luck in running.
Riccarton:
As at 8:27am on Thursday April 18 the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail in the true position.
12:30pm R2 3 Viana (4 m Volksraad - Hecuba) - Ross Doherty (a2); reached the lead mid-straight, with this rider aboard, only to be claimed late when second here on April 6 in the Benchmark 75 1800 metres and now steps to 2000 metres in the same grade. A course/distance winner during the Cup Carnival here last November, on similar footing, she has drawn handily in barrier two and again appears a top chance.
1:02pm R3 6 Sovereign Rose (5 m Pins - Pavan) - Lisa Allpress; got the job done with this rider aboard to win on April 11 in the Benchmark 65 2100 metres at Timaru. Remaining in the same grade over 2000 metres, she incurs a penalty to carry 56.5kgs and has drawn nicely in barrier six. With her two wins coming on good ground the track conditions are going to play a part, but no worse than the current rating can again see her competitive given the manner of her last start victory.
2:46pm R6 11 Persia (3 f Perfectly Ready - Crown Tigress) - Buddy Lammas; staged a big run here for fourth on April 6 in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m), having proved too strong, as favourite, when coming off a solid pace with a big finish to win the Maiden 1400 metres here on March 13. She meets a similar field to last time when stepping up in distance from barrier one in the NZB Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m). She trialled well on rain-affected footing and it is anticipated that give in the ground will work in her favour.
3:26pm R7 2 Stanica Star (6 g Danzero - Stanica) - Ross Doherty (a2); never received clear galloping room here on March 23 in the Benchmark 75 1400 metres. Three of his four wins have been recorded over a mile and as a back runner barrier thirteen should not be a concern. A talented horse at best, he meets a good field and will be relying on a strong tempo to make his presence felt at the business end.