Te Akau Riccarton Friday Preview
Date: 23 Feb 2024
Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Friday 23 February at Riccarton.
Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 8 metres. No rain forecast.
11:55 a.m. R1 8 Our Milly Bee (4 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Warren Kennedy; she spelled following a solid effort in the Rating 65 1600 metres here on first day of Cup Week in November, and resumes in the $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. Destined for further, she sprinted home to easily win a Maiden 1600 metres in October at Timaru and the blinkers are on, however she has drawn wide (12) but should be looking to find line strongly.
12:30 p.m. R3 2 Stella Splendida (4 m Zoustar – Scintillula) – Warren Kennedy; she followed consecutive wins to contest the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 27 January, where a subpar performance can be put down to the conditions created by a false start. She has been impressive winning four from eight prior, is handily drawn (3) in the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres and has the opportunity to bounce back as a top three chance - the first of two lining up here for the team.
1:05 p.m. R3 8 Angels Wings (4 m Heroic Valour – Gowana) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she quickened to lead and kept finding to stave off stable-mate and subsequent winner Superbly Written (Written Tycoon) in the Rating 65 1100 metres here on 27 January. She steps up to a tougher assignment in the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres, but is the winner of three races and appears in right form to measure up.
2:15 p.m. R5 10 Tranquila (3 f Iffraaj – Equanimity) – Warren Kennedy; she was shuffled back before closing in the fastest last 600m (33.5) for second in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 27 January, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1400 metres. Her Te Akau trained dam Equanimity (More Than Ready) impressed winning to 1400 metres and her NZB Filly of the Year and grand-dam Insouciant (Keeper) won 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) here. She rates a top three chance but will require luck from the wide draw (16).
2:50 p.m. R6 6 Can’t Kach Me (4 m Tavistock – Kachina) – Warren Kennedy; she came from beyond midfield with a good finish for third in the $18,500 Maiden 2000 metres here on 18 January, has been given time (36 days), and contests the like event. Out of a Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare, she is handling the middle distances, and rates a top three chance but is another who will need luck from a difficult alley (13).
4:42 p.m. R9 2 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Warren Kennedy; he got back from a wide gate (12) and did very well to run home in the fastest last 600m (33.5) for second in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 27 January. Contesting the $18,500 Rating 65 1400 metres, he is ideally drawn (2) and is capable of returning a dividend here.