Te Akau Riccarton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Thursday 1 September at Riccarton (synthetic).

Weather: fine, track: poly-track, rail: true. No rain forecast.

1:50 p.m. R3 6 Illicit Miss (4 m Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); followed three consecutive seconds by finishing fifth in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) on 2 March at Hastings, and ran on for fifth, fresh-up, in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1300 metres, won by stable-mate Savito (Savabeel), on 24 August at Taupo. Solid in each of her three poly-track trials at Cambridge, she is suited stepping up in the $14,000 Maiden 1600 metres and rates a top three chance with any luck from the outside gate (10).

3:00 p.m. R5 4 Belle of the Ball (4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); ended her previous campaign in good form, running the fastest last 600m (34.6) for second in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) on 23 April at Riccarton, and ran the fastest last 600m (35.9) for second, fresh-up, to stable-mate Savito (Savabeel) in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo. Before resuming she quickened for second in a trial at Cambridge (poly-track), and has top three claims from her good barrier draw (2) in the $14,000 Maiden 1400 metres.

3.35 p.m. R6 2 Zouluminous (6 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); ended her previous campaign with a very good second in the South Island Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 26 March at Riccarton. She showed plenty of zest for second, fresh-up, in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on the poly-track last Thursday, is the winner of five to 1800 metres, and is suited stepping up in the $14,000 Rating 75 1400 metres - one of two in the event for the stable.

3.35 p.m. R6 3 Campionessa (5 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Jason Laking; recorded consecutive wins before an eye-catching fifth in the Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) and was then third, running the fastest last 600m (35.3) on the day, in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) on 16 March at Matamata. She closed well late for fourth (same race as Zouluminous (above)) fresh-up in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on poly-track last Thursday, is the winner of four to 1600 metres, and will also be suited stepping up in distance in the $14,000 Rating 75 1400 metres.