Te Akau Riccarton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Thursday 30 April at Riccarton.     

Riccarton: 

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

1:47 p.m. R4 10 Tinuviel (3 f Too Darn Hot – Axiom) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she resumed with a terrific effort for a close third in the Maiden 1200 metres on 11 April at Riccarton, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 1200 metres. The half-sister to Te Akau trained dual Group One winner and sire Xtravagant (Pentire), she has the plus of weight relief to 54kg, and looks a top three chance if she handles the poly-track at first attempt and can overcome her nasty gate (12). Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.90.

2:22 p.m. R5 4 Arctic Jewel (3 f Frosted – Miss Gem) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she remained back in the Listed Gore Guineas (1200m) on 4 April at Riverton, and drops in class for the $17,000 Rating 60 1200 metres. Last start was something of a glitch in an otherwise good record, and she too will benefit from the apprentice claim, dropping to 55.5kg. The first of two runners in this race for the stable, this is a good opportunity for her to bounce back as top three chance if she too appreciates the poly-track surface given it’s her first try. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.55. 

2:22 p.m. R5 5 Hello Bess (3 f Hello Youmzain – Niamh Elizabeth) – Triston Moodley (a1); she sustained a strong gallop from a handy position for a close second in a trial on 17 April at Ashburton, and resumes in the Rating 60 1200 metres. A Te Akau homebred, she extended a terrific family tradition with a debut course/distance win here on the poly-track in December, so we know she can handle the surface and if she can secure a decent trip from barrier nine, she can deliver a top three finish. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.45.

2:57 p.m. R6 1 Purple Prose (4 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – Triston Moodley (a1); he found the line for a close sixth in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 2 April at Ashburton, and contests the $17,000 Rating 60 1600 metres. He capped some good poly-track form with a strong course/distance Maiden win over 1600 metres, and is ideally drawn (4) to prove competitive - the first of a stable duo lining up in this race. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.85.

2:57 p.m. R6 3 High Roller (4 g Ace High – Miss Thorn) – Hayley Hassman (a2); the second for the team, he did very well to finish midfield after missing the start in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 11 April at Riccarton, also with Hayley aboard, and takes his place also in the Rating 60 1600 metres. A strong course/distance Maiden winner here on the poly-track previously, he has weight relief to 57kg, and is capable of an improved performance if begins on terms. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.85.

3:35 p.m. R7 2 Celtic Bling (4 m Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she kept closing for fourth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 16 April at Ashburton, and contests the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Rating 65 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). Another homebred, she is the half-sister to Hello Bess (above), and capped her good poly-track form with a strong course/distance Maiden win over 1400 metres. She has weight relief to 56.5kg, and is a top three prospect from barrier one. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65.

3:35 p.m. R7 3 Queen Of Naples (4 m Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Triston Moodley (a1); the last of the day, and another homebred raced with our owners, she closed nicely after getting back on the inner when trialling on 17 April at Ashburton, and resumes in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Rating 65 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). She scored back-to-back wins here on the poly-track over 1400m and 1600m, and is perfectly drawn (5) to give this field a shake. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.85.

Main picture - Queen of Naples