Te Akau Pukekohe Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Saturday 18 February at Pukekohe. 

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft7, rail: out 5 metres. 4mls rain forecast Saturday. 

12:20 p.m. R1 8 Mazzucato (2 f Tivaci - Yellen) - Warren Kennedy; she quickened appreciably once clear for second in a trial on 17 January at Tauranga, and saved ground on the inner with a good effort for second when debuting in the Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 25 January at Matamata. She rates a top three chance in the $20,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30. 

1:00 p.m. R2 1 Cognito (3 g So You Think - Lady Primrose) - Michael McNab; he continued his good form with a notable sixth in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, was freshened, then trialled, and then dashed home after getting clear late to win the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 14 January at Trentham. Although he has been kept fresh for the $45,000 3YO 1200 metres, with longer targets ahead, he possesses the class to be a top three prospect, despite carrying top weight (59kg). Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.20.

1:00 p.m. R2 4 I Choose You (3 f I Am Invincible - Choose) - Warren Kennedy; she was checked mid-straight in the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) won by stable-mate Maven Belle (Burgundy) here on 21 January, and proved a class above her rivals winning the Rating 65 1100 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa. She presents as a top three contender jumping from from inside barrier in the $45,000 3YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.25. 

1:35 p.m. R3 7 Synchronize (4 m Savabeel - Splits) - Craig Zackey; she engulfed her opponents in a few strides with a fresh-up win in the Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day, and ran the fastest last 600m (32.6) on the day when circling from last in the Concorde Handicap (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 21 January, both at Pukekohe. Handily drawn (4) in the $55,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, she looks a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.45. 

2:43 p.m. R5 3 Dynastic (3 g Almanzor - Meir) - Warren Kennedy; he ran the fastest final 600m (34.0) from last in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) here on 21 January, and produced an eye-catching effort for fifth on footing that downgraded to Heavy8 in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 3 February at Te Rapa. Contesting the $140,000 AJC Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), he is race hardened but requires luck from outside gate (14). Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.

3:19 p.m. R6 6 Lightning Field (6 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Craig Zackey; he showed gameness off a wide trip for second on heavier footing than he prefers in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 5 February at Tauranga, and contests the $45,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. Ideally drawn (4), he is capable of another good performance if appreciative of the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.

3:54 p.m. R7 3 Self Obsession (4 m Shocking - Mawaakib) - Craig Grylls; she was back showing toughness when second in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 1 January at Te Rapa, but never quickened in the Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 1800m) on 4 February at Te Rapa. Runner-up in both course attempts: Karaka Classic (Listed, 1500m) and Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m), she obviously likes the track but is another who requires luck from the outside gate (14) in the $140,000 ATR Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m). Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00. 

3:54 p.m. R7 11 Soprano Supreme (5 m Contributer - Falsetto) - Jake Bayliss; she was okay finishing fifth in the Rating 87 2200 metres here on 21 January, and contests the $140,000 ATR Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m). Third recently in the Manawatu Cup (Gr. 3, 2300m), and second in the Gold Coast Cup (2400m) last season, she carries the minimum weight (53kg) and is capable of good performance from the handy two barrier. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.