Te Akau Rotorua Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Friday 29 April at Rotorua.

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 5 metres 1200m - winning post, remainder out 2.5 metres. No rain forecast.

12:21 p.m. R3 8 Florencenightngale (3 f Rip Van Winkle - Reigning Dynasty) - Opie Bosson; raced middle of three in front and remained competitive for a close second in a trial on 22 March at Cambridge (poly-track), and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1230 metres. She displayed good acceleration and stretch to win a trial in December at Ellerslie, is from a nice family and seems capable of racing handily.

12:52 p.m. R4 8 Savito (3 f Savabeel - Suavito) - Opie Bosson; made ground very well in the straight for fourth in a trial on 19 April at Taupo, and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1230 metres. Renowned for tough qualities, her dam Sauvito (Thorn Park) won both the Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and C F Orr Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Caulfield. Ideally drawn (5), she should race well - the first of a stable duo in the event.

12:52 p.m. R4 12 She's A Showoff (3 f Showcasing - Que Sera) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); finished well for second and third respectively in recent trials and resumes in the $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1230 metres. From mare that impressed winning over 1400 metres on slow ground, she has the credentials to act fresh-up but requires luck from the awkward draw (10).

3:17 p.m. R8 1 The Mighty Spar (4 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Opie Bosson; produced a huge run for second (fastest last 600m: 35.2) after missing the start in a Rating 74 1600 metres on 2 April at Awapuni, and circled with a big effort for third in a Rating 74 1600 metres on 16 April at Te Rapa. Despite the wide draw (10), he rates a top three prospect in the $12,000 Rating 74 1560 metres.

3:54 p.m. R9 11 Dancing Sands (3 f Contributer - Tonic) - Opie Bosson; worked three wide before tying up on slow ground when debuting in a Maiden 1200 metres on 20 March at Tauranga. Given time (40 days), she won a trial on 12 April at Avondale, and receives the chance to improve in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres.