Te Akau Riccarton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Thursday 25 August at Riccarton (synthetic).

Weather: cloudy, track: poly-track, rail: true. 2mls rain forecast Thursday.

3:04 p.m. R5 1 Zouluminous (6 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Jason Laking; won three times to 1800 metres last season, ending her campaign with a very good second in the South Island Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 26 March at Riccarton. She sustained a good gallop for third in a trial on 19 July at Cambridge (poly-track), carries the top weight (62kg) fresh-up in the $14,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, is set to improve when up in trip but is aided by small field that features two for the stable.

3:04 p.m. R5 3 Campionessa (5 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Courtney Barnes; recorded consecutive wins before posted a notable fifth in the Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) and was third, running the fastest last 600m (35.3) on the day, in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) on 16 March at Matamata. The winner of four to 1600 metres, from 11 starts, look for her finishing strongly fresh-up in the $14,000 Rating 75 1200 metres if appreciative of the track.

3:43 p.m. R6 1 Irish Red (4 m Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Jason Laking; she has been stakes' placed three times, most recently when second in the Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 5 March at Wingatui. She closed nicely for third in a trial on 19 July at Cambridge (poly-track), and resumes in the $14,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She has the consistency and talent to be a top three prospect from barrier four - the first of two stable runners lining up.

3:43 p.m. R6 4 Invincibeel (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Terry Moseley; unleashed powerfully to win a Maiden 1600 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa, and ended her campaign following the Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) on 5 March at Ellerslie. She looked good finishing a close fourth in a trial on 19 July at Cambridge (poly-track), and also resumes in the $14,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. An improver up in trip but look for her finishing strongly fresh-up.