Te Akau Riccarton Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses racing on Tuesday 9 October at Riccarton.

As on Monday 8 October the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail out 8 metres. No rain forecast.

12.25 p.m. R1 2 Challa (2 c Dissident - Are There Any) - Lisa Allpress; finished close up without being asked for too much when trialling on heavy going in August at Te Teko, and debuts from barrier one in the $22,500 2YO 800 metres. His dam, Are There Any (Exceed and Excel), was a debut winner over 1310 metres on Good3 in Australia, winning six times up to 2040m, while Dissident (Sebring) also won on debut on Good3 over 1000 metres, recording five Group One wins among seven victories up to a mile. He can use the draw and should go well. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.10.

12.25 p.m. R1 6 Puysegur (2 f Fastnet Rock - Pins ‘N' Needles) - Jason Laking; debuts from barrier five in the $22,500 2YO 800 metres. A three-quarter sister to Champion Two-Year-Old and stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock), her dam, Pins ‘N' Needles (Pins), won six races to a mile, has left three individual winners of 10 races, including stakes' winning, Group One placed, Asavant (Zabeel), the dam of Avantage, and Group One winner D B Pin (Darci Brahma) in Hong Kong. Although without a trial, she has prepared well for the assignment. Fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.05.

1.01 p.m. R2 1 Bak Da Master (4 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Jason Laking; rounded out a hat-trick of wins for trainer Jamie Richards on 30 August at Ashburton - following Swing Note (Encosta De Lago) and Summer Monsoon (Stratum) - with a tidy fresh-up victory in the Maiden 1600 metres, and finished fourth after being taken on in front in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 13 September at Wingatui. A consistent performer, he should be suited stepping in distance for the $22,500 Rating 65 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.70.

1.39 p.m. R3 1 Richard of Yorke (7 g Oasis Dream - Cascata) - Corey Campbell (a3); fought solidly for fifth after peaking on his run when resuming here in the $25,000 Rating 72 1600 metres on 8 September, and claiming to 58kgs he contests the corresponding event from barrier five. A winner on slow and heavy ground over 2400 metres, at Royal Ascot, Sandown and Randwick. He is destined to step up in trip but should go well if appreciative of the going. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.90.

1.39 p.m. R3 5 Wide Awake (5 g Savabeel - Kay's Awake) - rider to be advised; resumed here a fortnight ago with a notable effort for fourth in the Rating 72 1400 metres and steps up in $25,000 Rating 72 1600 metres. He came of age during his four-year-old season with two wins, including victory in the Woodville Cup (2100m), two seconds, and a third, and rates an each way chance with the right trip from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.35.

2.12 p.m. R4 1 Our Flying Ace (3 g Darci Brahma - Aterballetto) - Jason Laking; created a very good impression winning on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 13 September at Wingatui. From the classy Pencarrow Stud family of Group Two & Three winner Rasa Lila (Darci Brahma) and Group Three winner Posavina (Tiger Hill), he faces a far stronger field in the $25,000 3YO 1400 metres but the manner of his first up win suggests he can measure up. Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.10.

3.58 p.m. R7 1 Remington (4 g Darci Brahma - Kudamm) - Jake Bayliss; made it two wins and three seconds from five starts with a fresh-up victory here in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 22 September, and contests the $25,000 Rating 72 1200 metres. He was dominant over a good field last time and with the right trip from barrier 10 can be afforded an each way chance again. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.40.

3.58 p.m. R7 6 Devil May Care (5 g Lonhro - Devil's Song) - Jason Laking; closed solidly from the rear for fifth, on a tempo that made it difficult to finish closer, when resuming here in the $25,000 Rating 72 1200 metres on 8 September. He went out a winner in April, recording two wins from his last three starts (clocking the fastest final 600m of the day in each of those races). Given time (28 days), he will again be ridden patiently in the corresponding event and the advent of a stronger pace can see him threaten a handy field. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.30.

4.35 p.m. R8 12 In A Twinkling (3 g Fastnet Rock - Moment in Time) - Jason Laking; produced a big effort fresh-up to beat a competitive field in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 12 September at Matamata, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Drawn wide (16) dictates a patient ride, which suits the horse, and the right trip can see him in the finish. Fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.55.