Te Akau Riccarton Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Wednesday 15 November at Riccarton.

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

1:06 p.m. R2 9 Mazzucato (3 f Tivaci – Yellen) – Michael McNab; she got back last after beginning awkwardly and was unsuited on the inside in the straight when contesting the Rating 65 1400 metres on 9 November at Ashburton. Going well prior, she receives the opportunity here to bounce back with a competitive performance in the $65,000 3YO 1400 metres, but requires luck from misfortune of the wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

2:17 p.m. R4 5 Dream Of The Moon (2 f All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Michael McNab; she quickened well before being claimed by race rival Diablo Blanco (Super Seth) in the Pearl Series 2YO 800 metres here on 28 October, and contests the $65,000 2YO 1000 metres. She rates a top three chance on her ability and work coming into this assignment and jumps from barrier six. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.75. 

3:27 p.m. R6 6 Fierce Flight (5 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Warren Kennedy; he ran two good races before delivering a somewhat mystery failure in the Rating 88 2100 metres on 4 November at Tauranga, and contests the $65,000 Open Handicap 2000 metres. He won the Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m) among four wins last season, and has the ability to prove competitive from barrier one. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

4:04 p.m. R7 3 Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel – High Fashion) – Warren Kennedy; she resumed with a super win in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 9 September at Hastings, and was solid without being able to really quicken on soft ground in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 21 October at Trentham. Contesting the $120,000 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), she found plenty off a tough trip for third in corresponding event last year. The blinkers are on and she can prove competitive again with luck from wide draw (15). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

5:14 p.m. R9 9 It’s Business Time (5 m Turn Me Loose – Risque Business) – Michael McNab; she made it six wins from her last seven starts with a strong finish to win the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Trial (Open, 1400m) here on 28 October, and steps up in the $250,000 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (Gr. 3, 1600m). Unbeaten in three course attempts, she is twice a winner at the distance, she warrants favouritism despite her tricky (10) gate. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.25.