Te Akau Riccarton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered on Thursday 16 May at Riccarton. 

Riccarton:

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

12:04 p.m. R2 11 Mitre Peak (3 f More Than Ready – Liten Prinsessa) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she was pushed up in midfield before finishing back on Heavy9 footing in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 26 April at Matamata, and contests the $20,000 Maiden 1200 metres. While yet to encounter the poly track surface, she seeks improvement from barrier four. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.20. 

1:14 p.m. R4 2 Bello Mio (4 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he ran on for fifth after being back and wide from an outside gate (11) in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 28 April at Wingatui, and drops in grade for the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. One of three stable runners lining up in the event, he finished third on the poly track in his only trial as a two-year-old, the blinkers are on, but he does require a ton of luck from the wide draw (15). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.80.

1:14 p.m. R4 8 Angels Wings (4 m Heroic Valour – Gowana) – Michael McNab; she produced a notable effort out of midfield for a close seventh in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 4 May, and drops in grade for the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She has forged a strong record on the surface, with two wins from four starts on the poly track, but she too needs a lot to go her way from her wide alley (15). Fixed odds: $8.50 & $3.00.

1:14 p.m. R4 9 French Rose (4 m Burgundy – Paraiba) – Warren Kennedy; she sustained a strong finish to win the Rating 65 1200 metres on 4 May at Timaru, also with Kennedy aboard, and remains in the same grade for the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. A course/distance winner early this season, she brings good poly track form into this equation, and rates a top four chance if the country's leading rider can navigate through her tricky barrier (13). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.40.

1:52 p.m. R5 8 Caravella (4 m Caravaggio – Highland Lights) – Kozzi Asano; she stormed home belatedly after being locked away from barrier one in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 28 April at Wingatui, and contests the $40,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres. One of a stable duo contesting the event, she has recorded three wins over 1200 metres this season, has poly track experience, and presents as a top three contender. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.35.

1:52 p.m. R5 9 Sorcha (4 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she finished off her last race in powerful fashion, recording the fastest last 600m (33.7) when second in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 4 May, and steps up in the $40,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres. Her three career starts on the poly track have yielded two wins over 1200 metres here, and she is a definite rates top three proposition from barrier one. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.00.

2:27 p.m. R6 5 Treaty of Paris (4 g Tavistock – Echezeaux) – Warren Kennedy; he finished sixth on downgraded heavy footing in the Rating 65 & Jumpers High-weight 2000 metres on 26 April at Matamata, and contests the $35,000 Rating 75 2200 metres. He has recorded two wins to 2140 metres from four starts on poly track, including his Maiden win by nearly eight lengths, and is ideally drawn (3) to rate a top three chance in his southern debut. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.85.

3:04 p.m. R7 1 Aotea Lad (7 g Savabeel – Corsage) – Denby-Rose Tait (a3); he finished ninth after racing handily in the Anzac Mile (Listed, 1600m) on 25 April at Otaki, and drops in grade for the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. With the apprentice engagement, he has weight relief to 62kg, is twice placed in poly track trials, comes in as a genuine competitor, and is, helpfully, nicely drawn (3) - one of two lining up for the stable in this race. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.70.

3:04 p.m. R7 3 Fellini (4 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he was denied room in the straight when finishing fifth in the Rating 82 1400 metres on 28 April at Wingatui, and drops in grade for the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. He produced a solid finish for fourth when resuming in the Rating 75 1400 metres prior, has finished second in two poly track trials, is stakes' placed, and perfectly drawn (2) to pose a top three chance. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.05.

4:14 p.m. R9 6 Star In The Sky (4 m Savabeel – Pikari Star) – Warren Kennedy; she was unable to round off in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 19 April at Matamata, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. A winner three starts ago over 1400 metres, she won her Maiden on the poly track over 1700 metres, but she needs things to go her way from the wide draw (13) - the country's leading jockey will assist her cause. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.60.