Te Akau Riccarton Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Friday 31 May at Riccarton. 

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: poly track, rail: true. 

11:22 a.m. R1 1 Sailing Away (3 g Merchant Navy – Anchovy) – Warren Kennedy; he received an inside passage to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 20 April and finished solidly from handy position for third in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 4 May, both here on the turf. One of two stablemates contesting the $17,000 3YO 1200 metres, he is continuing to improve with racing, has drawn barrier one, and is destined to step up again in distance. Note: he is also entered for Race 9. 

11:22 a.m. R1 7 Rue de Rivoli (3 f Tivaci – Boulevard) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she rallied late for third in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres here (2 May) at her first attempt on the poly track. She has the blinkers on and rates a top three chance from barrier two in the $17,000 3YO 1200 metres. 

11:52 a.m. R2 3 Mitre Peak (3 f More Than Ready – Liten Prinsessa) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she finished strongly for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly track) on 16 May, and contests the $17,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). She improved notably last time and looks a realistic top three finisher from the handy gate (2). 

12:25 p.m. R3 3 Kith ‘n’ Kin (4 m Almanzor – Kindred) – Warren Kennedy; she closed strongly for third in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 24 May at Wingatui, and is one of two stable reps. contesting the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She produced a big finish to win on the poly track earlier in the season at Cambridge, continues to race in fine fettle, and has top three prospects from barrier one. 

12:25 p.m. R3 5 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she fought hard after leading for a close third to stable-mate Caravella (Caravaggio) in the Open Handicap 1200 metres here (poly track) on 16 May, and drops in grade for the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She has had four starts on the poly track that have yielded two wins over 1200 metres here, and can be right in the thick of things at the business end from barrier four.

12:59 p.m. R4 4 Time Is King (3 g Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Warren Kennedy; he ran on for fifth from beyond midfield in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly track) on 16 May, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 1400 metres. He seeks further improvement and will need a good dose of luck from barrier nine. 

2:09 p.m. R6 5 Our Milly Bee (4 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Ashvin Goindasamy; she stayed strong to defeat stable-mate Can’t Kach Me (Tavistock) in the Rating 65 2200 metres on 24 April at Timaru, and posted another top run for second in the Rating 65 2000 metres here on 4 May. Racing extremely well, she has performed on the poly track surface, and is a realistic top three chance in the $17,000 Rating 65 2200 metres - one of two in the event for the team.

2:09 p.m. R6 10 Star In The Sky (4 m Savabeel – Pikari Star) – Michael McNab; she remained back after beginning slowly in the Rating 65 1600 metres here (poly track) on 16 May, and also contests the $17,000 Rating 65 2200 metres. She won her Maiden on the poly track over 1700 metres, was fourth on the poly over 2140 metres, and shapes to appreciate the step up in distance she takes here.

2:44 p.m. R7 1 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he drew wide (12) and finished well from the rear for fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres here (poly track) on 16 May, and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Racing solidly, look for him to be right in the finish. 

3:19 p.m. R8 1 Fellini (4 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he utilized barrier two to race handily when finishing third in the Rating 75 1400 metres here (poly track) on 16 May, and contests the $17,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. The first of a stable duo lining up in the race, he is ideally drawn (3) to bring first four claims to the event.

3:19 p.m. R8 9 Inca Belle (4 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Warren Kennedy; she finished third following a sweet trip in the $17,000 Rating 75 1600 metres here (poly track) on 2 May, and contests the corresponding event. She presents as a top four chance with a decent trip from barrier nine.   

3:54 p.m. R9 18 Sailing Away (3 g Merchant Navy – Anchovy) – Warren Kennedy; he received an inside passage to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 20 April and finished solidly from a handy position for third in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 4 May, both here on turf. Contesting the $17,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, he is continuing to improve with racing, and would be a top four chance if he makes the field off the ballot.   Note: he is also nominated for Race 1.