Te Akau Pukekohe Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Sunday 21 January at Pukekohe.

Weather: cloudy, track: Good4, rail: out 6 metres. 2mls rain forecast Sunday. 

12:30 p.m. R1 4 Spellcraft (4 g Savabeel – Bewitching) – Warren Kennedy; he was narrowly beaten in the Rating 60 1600 metres on 22 December at Matamata, and then was without all favours in the Rating 60 1950 metres on 28 December at Rotorua. While he is capable of performing in the $25,000 Rating 60 2100 metres, he requires luck from his very wide draw (16). Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

1:10 p.m. R2 5 Caravella (4 m Caravaggio – Highland Lights) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she has won two of her last three outings, most recently when sustaining a big finish (fastest last 600m: 33.4) in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha. While she steps up in grade for the $25,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, she has drawn the ace and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.40.

2:55 p.m. R5 6 Glitzy Glory (3 f Embellish – Colheita) – Matt Cameron; she resumed with a tough victory, running the fastest last 600m (34.1) on the day, in the Maiden 1200 metres on 15 December at Tauranga. Unsuited on heavy ground when finishing fifth in the 3YO 1400 metres on 6 January at Hastings, she presents as a top three chance in the $25,000 3YO 1400 metres - one of two starters for the stable. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.  

2:55 p.m. R5 7 Rue de Rivoli (3 f Tivaci – Boulevard) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she sustained a strong run to win fresh-up, running the fastest last 600m (34.9), in the Maiden 3YO 1230 metres on 10 December at Rotorua. She did not enjoy the heavy going when slowly away in the 3YO 1400 metres on 6 January at Hastings, and today receives opportunity to improve in the $25,000 3YO 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.50.  

4:07 p.m. R7 4 Devoted (6 g Contributer – Mapmaker) – Jess Allen (a3); he tracked through from the rear for a second-up victory in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 15 December and finished well for fourth in the Rating 75 2100 metres on 2 January, each time with Allen aboard at Tauranga. He is racing solidly and is capable of continuing that trend in the $25,000 Rating 75 2200 metres, if he appreciates the course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.