Te Akau Pukekohe Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Sunday 8 January at Pukekohe.

Weather: drizzling, track: Soft5, rail: out 7 metres. 4mls rain forecast Saturday, 5mls Sunday.

12:35 p.m. R1 5 Believe In Magic (2 f Not A Single Doubt - Perform A Miracle) - Craig Grylls; she was defiant in winning the 2YO 1100 metres on 3 November at Woodville, and raced very well for second in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m) on 3 December at Trentham. She rates a top three chance in the $35,000 2YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.30.

1:10 p.m. R2 1 Maven Belle (3 f Burgundy - Doyenne) - Opie Bosson; she included victories in the Matamata Breeders Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) on her way to becoming Champion Two-Year-Old last season. Held up with injury, she ran home fine without being pressured in a trial on 23 December at Matamata, and resumes in the $45,000 3YO 1200 metres. A class filly, ideally drawn (3), she looks to have top three prospects - one of two fillies in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.25.

1:10 p.m. R2 9 Tavernia (3 f Mongolian Khan - Chaparella) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1); she was freshened following a strong debut win over 1230 metres in November at Rotorua, and was not far away in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 17 December at Te Rapa. Dropping back in distance for the $45,000 3YO 1200 metres, she is nicely drawn (4), and look for her to be running home with purpose. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $4.00.

2:20 p.m. R4 8 Sealed With A Kiss (3 f Tarzino - Postmans Daughter) - Michael McNab; she recorded a dominant debut victory in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 December at Hastings, before being caught back and wide in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 17 December at Te Rapa. Drawn barrier one in the $45,000 3YO 1500 metres, she receives the  opportunity to bounce back as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.30.

2:55 p.m. R5 4 Savoir Faire (3 g Savabeel - Etiquette) - Opie Bosson; he recorded a deserved success in the Maiden 2000 metres on 23 December at Matamata, and steps up in the $80,000 Barfoot & Thompson Gingernuts' Salver (Gr. 2, 2100m). He brings the right form to prove competitive, but requires luck from the outside gate (11). Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.35.

4:07 p.m. R7 2 Mohawk Brave (4 g Extreme Choice - Ben's Duchess) - Opie Bosson; he circled widest and sustained a big run for second in the Rating 75 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Otaki, and contests the $45,000 Rating 75 1500 metres. He finished fourth to stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) last season and rates a top three chance from his handy barrier three draw. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.