Te Akau Riccarton Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Wednesday 14 January at Riccarton. 

Riccarton:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast.?

3:20 p.m. R3 13 Perlino (3 f Super Seth – Palomino) – Bruno Queiroz; she fought well for a close third after leading in the $25,000 Maiden 1600 metres on Boxing Day (26 Dec.) at Otaki when also ridden by Queiroz, and contests the corresponding event. She is ideally drawn (4) to be a genuine contendner for top three honours.  Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.40.

3:55 p.m. R3 17 Novelette (3 f Cool Aza Beel – Fiction) – Bruno Queiroz; she settled at the rear of the field and remained back when resuming in the Maiden 1100 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth, with Queiroz aboard on that occasion too. She contests the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres and is looking to improve, but requires luck from her wide draw (15). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $3.00. 

4:30 p.m. R4 3 Malmaison (5 g Darci Brahma – Altai Rose) – Bruno Queiroz; he came from back in the field with a strong finish for third in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 28 December at Timaru, likewise with Queiroz aboard, and contests the $25,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He won four times to 1200 metres in his last campaign, is a dual course/distance winner, and is capable of a top three finish if he can overcome his slightly sticky gate (8). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.55. 

5:05 p.m. R5 10 Hello Bess (3 f Hello Youmzain – Niamh Elizabeth) – Bruno Queiroz; she recorded a good debut victory in the Maiden 1200 metres on 5 December at Riccarton (poly-track), and was then sixth after a tough run three-wide in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 28 December at Timaru, both with Queiroz aboard. Contesting the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she’s been working well since and has first four claims from barrier six. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.60.

5:45 p.m. R6 7 Purple Prose (4 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – Bruno Queiroz; he settled back, seven lengths off the loader at the 600m, and ran home strongly to finish second when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 28 December at Timaru. Contesting the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, he raced well last campaign including registering his Maiden win over 1600 metres, and is previously course/distance placed. He has drawn the ace, and like many of the Embellish stock, is improving with age and can add to his record here. Fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.80.

6.24 p.m. R7 1 Rule Of Law (5 g Justify – Repeat) – Joe Doyle; he was unable to quicken after racing handily in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 24 December at Ashburton, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $25,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Twice course/distance placed, he has been racing well, and this is a good opportunity for him to bounce back to winning form from barrier one. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.80.

6.24 p.m. R7 8 Queen Of Naples (4 m Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Bruno Queiroz; she made good ground from well back in the field for sixth in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1600 metres on 28 December at Timaru, with Queiroz also then aboard, and she too contests the Rating 65 1600 metres. She won her Maiden over 1600 metres easily when ridden by this jockey, and while her barrier (10) is a bit tricky, if the in-form rider can navigate that challenge, she can be right in this. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.75. 

6:59 p.m. R8 14 Corps D’Elite (4 m So You Think – Illuminati) – Joe Doyle; she finished fifth after racing handily in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1600 metres on 28 December at Timaru, and is the first of a stable duo contesting the $25,000 Rating 65 2000 metres. She has shown herself to be a capable mare and receives opportunity, with a big dose of luck from the wide draw (13), to prove more competitive if she appreciates the step up in distance. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $3.10. 

6:59 p.m. R8 15 Shockabella (4 m Shocking – My Isabella) – Bruno Queiroz; she fought well for third after working to a commanding lead from outside gate (14) in the Rating 60 2200 metres on 28 December at Timaru, again with Queiroz aboard, and also contests the Rating 65 2000 metres. She won Maiden over 1800 metres, and brings right form to prove competitive in even field. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.30. 

Main picture: Malmaison