Te Akau Riccarton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Thursday 15 May at Riccarton (poly-track) 

Riccarton: 

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

10:38 a.m. R1 5 Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather) – Craig Grylls; she raced three-wide on the pace and kept responding to win the Maiden 1400 metres here (poly-track) on 1 May. Contesting the $20,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses), she has finished first and second in her two poly-track course attempts to date, and looks a definite top three prospect from barrier two. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.40.  

12:43 p.m. R5 10 Queen Of Naples (3 f Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Craig Grylls; she got back from a wide draw (11) and ran home strongly in the fastest last 600m (34.6) for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1350 metres on 27 April at Wanganui. Contesting the $20,000 Maiden 1600 metres, her dam Tiffany’s Time (Alamosa) was trained by Te Akau to win twice over 1400 metres, and her daughter appears capable of another solid showing if appreciative of poly-track at her first attempt on the surface. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.35. 

1:18 p.m. R6 3 Purple Prose (3 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – Courtney Barnes; he began well from barrier one, shadowed in front, and kept going solidly without undue pressure to finish close up in fifth when trialling here on the poly-track) on 6 May. Resuming in the $20,000 Maiden 1200 metres, he is a half brother to stable-mate Elegant Lady (Highly Recommended), the winner of four races from 1900m - 2200m who has twice stakes’ placed,. While he looks like he will need more ground, it’s a good starting point for this preparation and he will likely get back from his wide draw (12) - one of two lining up in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.40. 

1:18 p.m. R6 11 Celtic Bling (3 f Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth) – Craig Grylls; she sustained a strong finish for fifth when resuming in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1000 metres on 12 April at Trentham, and out another another good effort for a close second in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 3 May. Her half-sisters Irish Red (Burgundy) and Sorcha (Burgundy) have both won here on poly-track, the latter recording three victories, and she will be looking to keep the family pride intact, and is a good chance to deliver a top three finish. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.50. 

1:52 p.m. R7 7 Angels Wings (5 m Heroic Valour – Gowana) – Craig Grylls; she finished eighth in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 12 April at Riccarton, won by stable-mate Knowledge Is Power (Written Tycoon), and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Two of her three wins have been on the poly tracks, she boasted good form earlier in campaign, and here has the opportunity to improve with decent trip from barrier nine - she has the country’s leading rider engaged to give her the best shot of doing that. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.15. 

2:27 p.m. R8 8 Caravella (5 m Caravaggio – Highland Lights) – Craig Grylls; she travelled handily and was not far away in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 12 April at Riccarton. One of two stablemates contesting the $40,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres, she has been a winner here on the poly-track over 1200 metres, and is ideally drawn (5) to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.50.

2:27 p.m. R8 10 Sorcha (5 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Hayley Hassman (a4); she trailed on the inner, three back at the 700m, popped off the rail nearing home turn, but was denied room mid-straight bwhen finishing off well in a trial here (poly-track) on 6 May. Resuming in the Open Handicap 1200 metres, she enjoys weight relief to 50kg with the stable apprentice aboard -  the half-sister to Celtic Bling (above), she has bagged three poly-track victories, is always a genuine performer, and brings the ability to perform well when fresh. Fixed odds: $13.000 & $3.80. 

3:42 p.m. R10 9 Mitre Peak (4 m More Than Ready – Liten Prinsessa) – Hayley Hassman (a4); she did very well closing from last in the fastest last 600m (35.0) for second to subsequent winner Penrose Lad when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 16 April at Ashburton. One of a stable trio contesting the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, she has the benefit of weight relief to 52.5kg, both  of her wins have come here on the poly-track to 1400 metres, and she is perfectly drawn (3) to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.20. 

3:42 p.m. R10 13 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Craig Grylls; the second runner for the stable in the Rating 75 1400m, she finished not far away after circling from last in a Rating 75 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 3 May. She has recorded a win and two thirds from three starts here on poly-track, is always an honest performer and has first four claims from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.70. 

3:42 p.m. R10 15 Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Courtney Barnes; the last of the Te Akau trio of mares contesting this event, she raced handily and finished solidly in tight quarters for a close fourth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 12 April at Riccarton, also with Barnes aboard. Racing well, she won her first trial on poly-track as two-year-old, and she too is capable of a top four finish, jumping from barrier one. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.80. 

4:13 p.m. R11 3 Rule Of Law (4 g Justify – Repeat) – Craig Grylls; he fought solidly for fifth after racing outside the leader in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 16 April at Ashburton, has been given time (29 days), and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. First and third in two starts to 1600 metres on poly-tracks, he generally likes to go forward, and he brings right form to rate a top three chance. - one of two for the stable lining up in the last on the programme. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.95. 

4:13 p.m. R11 9 Our Milly Bee (5 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Courtney Barnes; she steadied back from her outside gate, was last at 300m, and let down well for third in trial here (poly-track) on 6 May. Also resuming in the Rating 65 1600 metres, she has been a dual winner to 2200 metres, has placed three times on poly-tracks, and while she is likely to get back from barrier 12, look for her finding the line strongly. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.