Te Akau Riccarton Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Thursday 21 August at Riccarton.

Riccarton: 

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

12:32 p.m. R1 4 Celtic Bling (4 m Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth) – Opie Bosson; she finished off well for third after securing a nice trip in the Maiden 1200 metres here (poly-track) on 6 August, and contests the $20,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Placed in three of four starts on (synthetic) course, her half-sisters Irish Red (Burgundy) and Sorcha (Burgundy) won here on the poly-track, the latter three times, and their sibling looks capable of delivering a top-three result. Fixed odds: $2.45 & $1.25. 

1:07 p.m. R2 1 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Opie Bosson; she sustained a strong finish on Heavy10 to win the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres here on 2 August, and is one of two stablemates contesting the corresponding event. The winner and placed fourth or better in seven of her eight starts here on poly-track, she is ultra consistent, always tries hard and can certainly figure in the finish from barrier one. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.10.

1:07 p.m. R2 2 Sorcha (6 m Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Courtney Barnes; she kept giving to finish a very close second (head) in the Rating 75 1400 metres (poly-track) here on 9 July, has been given time (43 days), and also contests the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. The half-sister to Celtic Bling (mentioned above), she too is a genuine performer with three poly-track victories on her resume, and from the handy gate (4) she too can make her presence felt.  Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.15. 

1:42 p.m. R3 2 Stonybreck (5 g Tavistock – Fair Isle) – Opie Bosson; he ran the fastest last 600m (34.7) when closing strongly for third in the Polytrack Championship (Special Conditions, 1400m) on 3 August at Awapuni (poly-track), also with Bosson aboard, and contests the $40,000 Open Handicap 1600 metres. Six of his seven wins have come on poly-tracks, and he had headed south, this being his first start in South Island - from barrier two he certainly have an impact in this line-up. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.10.     

4:04 p.m. R7 3 Purple Prose (4 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – Opie Bosson; bred and raised at Te Akau Stud alongside Celtic Bling and Sorcha (above), he quickened with a well-timed finish to win the Maiden 1600 metres (poly-track) here on 9 July, and finished strongly when fifth in the $35,000 Rating 65 1600 metres here on 6 August. Contesting the corresponding event, he is progressing well, and looks a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.40. 

Main picture - Sorcha winning at Riccarton