Te Akau Otaki Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Wednesday 10 March at Otaki.

Weather: showery, track: Dead5, rail: true. 17mls rain forecast race day.

1.27 p.m. R1 1 Lightning Field (4 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Danielle Johnson; continued very good form when finishing second in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres on 17 February at Te Aroha, running the fastest 600m (34.3), and contests the corresponding event. Deserved of a win, he rates a top three chance.

1.27 p.m. R1 5 When In Paris (4 m Pierro - Bulle De Champagne) - Ryan Elliot; finished close up fourth without coming off the bridle when trialling on 16 February at Cambridge, and resumes in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She has shown to act fresh and finished third when first-up in September at Matamata.

2.37 p.m. R3 4 Vino Bella (4 m Burgundy - Pinstinct) - Danielle Johnson; freshened after a second on 30 December in the Rating 74 1100 metres at Taupo, she finished well when trialling on 2 March at Rotorua, and resumes in the $11,000 Rating 74 1200 metres. A consistent mare and beaten a nose at her only course attempt, she appears ideally placed to race well.

3.12 p.m. R4 5 Confectionery (4 m Per Incanto - Not A Jaffa) - Danielle Johnson; fought hard for a close second in the Maiden 1400 metres on 25 January at Matamata, but unable to emulate in the corresponding race on 17 February at Te Aroha. Back left-handed in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres, she is capable, but indifferent, and hopefully ready to act.

3.12 p.m. R4 12 It's My Party (3 f Darci Brahma - A La Votre) - Darryl Bradley; just missed a place (fourth) after racing outside the leader on debut in the Pearl Series Maiden 1200 metres on 19 February at Wanganui, with Parkes aboard, and steps up in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. From a Volksraad mare that won three times to 1600 metres, she is ideally drawn (4) to race well again.

4.24 p.m. R6 12 Melodious (3 f Darci Brahma - Quintette) - Danielle Johnson; was shuffled back nearing the 600m and closed the margin solidly for fourth in the Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres on 21 February at Hastings, and steps up in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres. Racing well, she rates a top three chance.

4.59 p.m. R7 10 Feelin' Fancy (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Frivolous) - Danielle Johnson; gave the rider her 1000^th career win on 17 February at Te Aroha, coming from second last to score in the Maiden 1400 metres. She had been building nicely and seems the type to measure up in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres.