Te Akau Riccarton Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Wednesday 9 July at Riccarton (poly-track) 

Riccarton: 

Weather: overcast, track: poly-track, rail: true.

12:00 p.m. R3 2 Purple Prose (3 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – Bruno Queiroz; he was denied room when fifth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 29 May and sustained a big effort for second after being caught wide from the outside gate (12) in the Maiden 1400 metres on 11 June, both here on the poly-track. Contesting the $22,000 Maiden 1600 metres, again with Queiroz aboard, he can deliver a top three finish if things go right from his (again) tricky gate (11), the senior rider’s engagement will certainly assist in that goal.  Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.35. 

1:42 p.m. R6 4 Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather) – Courtney Barnes; the first of two contesting this race, she cleared out to win the Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 May by almost three lengths, and then mounted a strong finish from last to finish fourth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 26 June, both here on the poly-track. Contesting the $32,000 3YO 1400 metres, she is ideally drawn (2) to make an impact on this line-up. Fixed odds: $3.10 & $1.35.

1:42 p.m. R6 6 Queen Of Naples (3 f Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Bruno Queiroz; she sustained a big finish for a close second in the Maiden 1600 metres on 15 May and then easily won the Maiden 1600 metres on 11 June, both here on the poly-track. She too takes on the 3YO 1400 metres, again with Queiroz in the saddle, and she brings the right form to add to her winning tally. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.30.

2:17 p.m. R7 4 Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Bruno Queiroz; she charged home for victory in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 May and repeated the dose in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 11 June, both here on the poly-track. The first of two stable runners lining up the $32,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, she will again be ridden by Queiroz. She ran the fastest last 600m (33.4) of the day last time, and has to be considered a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.35. 

2:17 p.m. R7 6 Sorcha (5 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Courtney Barnes; she closed solidly from back in field for sixth in the Rating 75 1200 metres here (poly-track) here on 11 June, won by Vivacious (above), and the two face off again in the Rating 75 1400 metres. She has notched up three poly-track victories, is a very genuine performer, and brings strong first four claims (main picture). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.20. 

2:54 p.m. R8 4 Beau Brummell (4 g Embellish – Fashion Forward) – Bruno Queiroz; he roared home to win when resuming in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 29 May and ran home belatedly from the rear in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 11 June, both here on the poly-track. Contesting the $32,000 Rating 75 2200 metres, he does appear suited to stepping up in distance, and is ideally drawn (2) to deliver a dividend again. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.50. 

4:04 p.m. R10 4 Rule Of Law (4 g Justify – Repeat) – Bruno Queiroz; he produced a bold bid off the trail for a close third here (poly-track) on 26 June, and contests the $32,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He’s enjoying good form, with a first, second, and three third placings from five starts to 1600 metres on poly-tracks. Unfortunately he has copped the outside gate (14) but has the man aboard to navigate that challenge. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.80.