Te Akau Riccarton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Thursday 24 August at Riccarton.

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

1:07 p.m. R2 3 Navalha (5 g Sebring – Afiado) – Michael McNab; he got back and finished well in the Rating 80 1400 metres here (poly-track) on 9 August and drops in grade for the $17,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. Three starts ago, he recorded a strong victory in the Rating 65 1700 metres on 7 July at Awapuni (poly-track), and brings the right form to rate a top three chance from the handy barrier four. 

2:47 p.m. R5 1 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Michael McNab; she sustained good gallop for third in a trial on 1 August at Te Rapa, and resumes in the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1200 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus). Boasting genuine attributes, she rates is a top three prospect, jumping from barrier one. 

3:22 p.m. R6 3 Cote de Beaune (5 g Burgundy – Lucrative) – Michael McNab; he provided trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson with their first win in partnership when showing good acceleration fresh-up in the Rating 65 970 metres on 2 August at Cambridge (poly-track). He presents as a top three chance from the advantage of barrier two in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres.

3:57 p.m. R7 11 Elegant Lady (4 m Highly Recommended – Lady Masako) – Michael McNab; she ran on strongly for second in a trial on 1 August at Te Rapa, and resumes in the $17,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She dropped in class to win the Maiden 1900 metres in February at New Plymouth, and while using this race in preparation to go further, she is capable of bold showing - the first of two in the event for the team.

3:57 p.m. R7 12 French Rose (3 f Burgundy – Paraiba) – Lisa Allpress; she capped solid efforts when she quickened appreciably to win the Maiden 1200 metres (poly-track) here on 9 August, with Allpress also aboard, and steps up in the $17,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Going well, she has first four claims from barrier four.