Te Akau Pukekohe Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Friday 1 May at Pukekohe.     

Pukekohe: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:55 p.m. R2 13 Naughty Grannie (3 f Embellish – Tad Infinitum) – Craig Grylls; she has been given time (40 days) to recover since working overtime from the outside gate (11) when debuting in the Maiden 1600 metres on 22 March at Matamata, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1600 metres. She receives an opportunity to improve, but she has unfortunately drawn wide (12) yet again. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20. 

2:40 p.m. R5 12 Trouble Maker (3 f Redwood – Always In Trouble) – Craig Grylls; she was steadied back in a bunched field and was unable to quicken on slower ground nearer the rail when trialling on 7 April at Ellerslie. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres, she sustained a good effort for third in her previous trial, likewise with Craig aboard, but she too has copped a nasty (15) gate and is also  destined to appreciate further distance in time. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

3:17 p.m. R6 1 Dare To Proisir (3 g Proisir – Hayle Bay) – Joe Doyle; he settled rearward, six lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and remained unpressured at the back of the field on rain affected footing when trialling on 7 April at Ellerslie, also with Joe aboard. He has been off the scene for a lengthy period, and resumes in the $25,000 Maiden 2YO & 3YO 1200 metres. He has been third twice from three starts, and while he is likely to improve with the run, he’s drawn nicely (4) for his return to the races and definitely has ability. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50.

4:24 p.m. R8 12 Shiatsu (4 m Swiss Ace – Perform A Miracle) – Craig Grylls; she ran on from beyond midfield on Heavy8 footing when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 1 April, with Craig aboard on that occasion too, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. A debut winner, she is drawn (2) to receive an economical trip, gives the indication that she will appreciate the increased distance, and rates a top four chance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.35.

Main photo - Shiatsu winning on debut