Te Akau NZ Weekend Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses racing at two venues on Saturday 30 April.

Te Rapa:

As on Friday 29 April the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail out 3 metres.

2.24 p.m. R4 8 Our Abbadean (3 f Lookin at Lucky - Highland Lights) - Matt Cameron; made it back-to-back victories with a strong win in the Rating 65 1400 metres at Dargaville, and jumps in class for the $20,000 3YO 1600 metres. Testing new waters is never easy, but she is unlikely to be overawed and a smooth trip should make her competitive.

2.59 p.m. R5 1 Xtravagant (3 c Pentire - Axiom) - Matt Cameron; has been freshened since leading the $750,000 Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) field at Flemington, after a brilliant victory here in weight-for-age $200,000 NRM Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m). A dual Group One winner, by big margins, he is rated 28 points above his nearest rival in the $70,000 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders 3YO Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and $1.80 fixed to get the job done.

2.59 p.m. R5 7 Windborne (3 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Cameron Lammas; circled from the rear when finishing second to race rival Battle Time (Battle Paint) in the $20,000 3YO 1200 metres at Tauranga, and despite being a dual stakes winner her odds of $21 & $4.50 indicates the openness outside of stable-mate and race favourite Xtravagant (Pentire).

4.09 p.m. R7 1 Abidewithme (6 m Redoute's Choice - Crimson) - Michael McNab; closed off very well to be just over two lengths from the winner in the $200,00 Easter Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) last Saturday at Ellerslie, having circled from last to all but win the $200,000 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Te Aroha, and now receives a welcome step up in distance for the $100,000 Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m). She won this race last year with McNab aboard, coming from back in the field, and her terrific approach to racing should see her right in the mix again.

Hastings:

As on Friday 29 April the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 4 metres.

1.02 p.m. R2 5 Echezeaux (4 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - Darryl Bradley; capitalized on a good trip to win the Rating 65 2100 metres on Dead6 at Awapuni, and steps up in grade for the $22,500 Rating 75 2100 metres. Having won two of her last three starts, she brings the right form to rate prominently and better footing should assist her chances.

1.36 p.m. R3 1 Hall of Fame (2 c Savabeel - Around the Clock) - Masa Tanaka; recorded a smart 800-metre trial win at Avondale, has gone the right way since and ready to debut in the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. There is solid trial form amongst rivals, but his performance really took the eye and he possesses the strength, natural talent, and professionalism to prove a very good chance.

2.13 p.m. R4 10 Lady Pinot (3 f Starspangledbanner - Madame Echezeaux) - Leah Hemi (a1); won fresh up over 1000 metres with this jockey aboard at Tauherenikau, and has trained on pleasingly for the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She meets a strong field, but possesses plenty of dash and could take some catching.

2.48 p.m. R5 11 Tatters (3 f Tavistock - Rattle) - Darryl Bradley; worked home strongly for fourth in the $20,000 3YO 1200 metres at Tauranga, having displayed her ability and determination to prevail off a genuine clip in the Rating 65 1215 metres on Slow7 at Rotorua. She has the attributes to get amongst it if lucks pans out from a wide draw in the $22,500 Rating 75 1400 metres.

2.48 p.m. R5 12 Vinevale (3 f Flying Spur - Eden Valley) - Masa Tanaka; resumed with an impressive win in the Rating 65 1200 metres on Slow7 at Te Aroha, with blinkers on, and steps up in both grade and distance. Each of her two wins, on good and slow footing, has been impressive and she appears a major player from barrier four.

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