Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing at two venues on Saturday 22 October.

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 21 October the conditions were: overcast and Dead6, rail out 9 metres and 10.5 metres from the 1000m to the 400m. .5mls rain forecast race day.

2.13 p.m. R4 7 Zambezi Warrior (4 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Michael McNab; proved too classy, despite Heavy10 footing, when resuming with a win in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 18 September at Pukekohe, giving Te Akau apprentice Jasmine Fawcett her first victory. Up in grade to contest the $25,000 Rating 85 1600 metres, he meets a far stronger field but has shown his liking for the course with two placed efforts from three starts, including a second in the Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) on dead ground, and given an economical trip from the ace draw he has what it takes to measure up.

2.48 p.m. R5 2 Abidewithme (7 m Redoute's Choice - Crimson) - Michael McNab; was given a quiet time at the rear before working stylishly through the line in a trial won by triple Group One winner Turn Me Loose (Iffraaj), in the fastest (59.8) of two Open heats over 1000 metres on Slow9 at Avondale, and resumes off 175 days in the $30,000 Open 1400 metres. She is a super race mare, the type everyone would love to own, and it would be great to see the former Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) winner produce a rousing display first up.

Riccarton:

As on Friday 21 October the conditions were: showery and Good3, rail out 8 metres. No rain forecast race day.

1.50 p.m. R3 2 Madame Jamai (5 m Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - Chris Johnson; was a bit out of sorts when resuming here in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres, but has recovered to take her place in the corresponding race. She has a very good course and second up record, and an improved performance is sought with a senior rider aboard and blinkers on.

1.50 p.m. R3 7 Latin Rose (5 m Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Matt Cameron; trialled well for a close second on 27 September at Rangiora, and resumes off 99 days, from barrier one, in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres. She has fashioned a good record, winning three times up to 1400 metres, two of those in a fresh state, and looks to have strong claims with visor blinkers on.

3.33 p.m. R6 1 Hall of Fame (3 c Savabeel - Around the Clock) - Matt Cameron; produced a devastating win in the $20,000 Inglewood Stud Guineas' Trial over 1400 metres here on 1 October, at his first course attempt, and is all the rage ($1.70 fixed) to emulate the performance in the $70,000 Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m). Beating similar rivals by three and a quarters lengths last time, he is obviously the one they all have to beat. Well fancied at $8.00 in the fixed odds market for the $400,000 Sothys 44^th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) here on 5 November, another victory would see him tighten further.