Te Akau Riccarton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Thursday 18 January at Riccarton. 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. 10mls rain forecast Thursday.

12:21 p.m. R1 10 Can’t Kach Me (4 m Tavistock – Kachina) – Warren Kennedy; she found line for fifth off an economical trip in the Maiden 1600 metres on 29 November at Te Aroha, and was similar again in the Maiden 2000 metres on 22 December at Matamata. She receives an opportunity to improve further if she can secure a decent trip from barrier 11 in the $18,500 Maiden 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

1:32 p.m. R3 4 Valorious (3 g Heroic Valour – Maputo Express) – Warren Kennedy; he won easily on debut after controlling the pace in the Maiden 1200 metres on 8 December at Riccarton (poly track), but was unable to handle the heavy footing in the 3YO 1200 metres on Boxing Day at Wingatui. He has the speed to utilise barrier two, and rates a top three chance in the $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres - the first of three starters for there stable in this event. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70. 

1:32 p.m. R3 7 French Rose (4 m Burgundy – Paraiba) – Joe Kamaruddin; she spelled after racing on 6 October at Timaru, and was not asked for much in a trial on 11 January at Ashburton. A consistent type, she is ideally drawn (1) to race well fresh-up in the $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

1:32 p.m. R3 8 Kith ‘n’ Kin (4 m Almanzor – Kindred) – Ulrika Holmquist; she found the line from last in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 23 December at Te Rapa, and also contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. She produced a big finish to win fresh-up over 970 metres in September at Cambridge (poly track), and is capable of a bold effort but will require luck from her wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

2:07 p.m. R4 3 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Warren Kennedy; she produced a notable effort off the trail for third in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 28 December at Timaru, and contests the $18,500 Rating 75 1400 metres. Placed in two of three starts at this distance, she is a definite top three chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.

2:42 p.m. R5 4 Sailing Away (3 g Merchant Navy – Anchovy) – Warren Kennedy; he found the line for third in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1200 metres on 28 December at Timaru, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres. He is ideally drawn (4) to frank that performance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

3:20 p.m. R6 4 Plenty O’ Style (3 g Embellish – Opulent) – Warren Kennedy; he worked to race outside the leader in the Maiden 1400 metres on 20 December at Ashburton, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres.The blinkers are on, so he may seek more economical trip from the difficult draw (13) - the first of a stable duo lining up here. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30. 

3:20 p.m. R6 5 Beau Brummell (3 g Embellish – Fashion Forward) – Ulrika Holmquist; he finished well back when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres on 20 December at Ashburton, and likewise contests the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres. He receives the opportunity to improve with blinkers on, has been dealt a tough task with the barrier (17). Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.