Te Akau Rotorua Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Friday 28 April at Rotorua. 

Weather: fine, track: Heavy8, rail: out 5 metres. No rain forecast.

12:47 p.m. R2 1 Bak Da Master (8 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Michael Roustoby (a3); he resumed with a good third over 1600 metres and worked home fine second-up in the Rating 75 High-weight 2000 metres on 19 April at Matamata. The highest rated in the $14,000 Rating 65 Jumpers High-weight 1950 metres, he has weight relief to 72kg, and rates a top three prospect from barrier one. 

2:32 p.m. R5 7 Believe It Or Not (3 g Star Witness - Believe You Me) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he sustained a strong finish to win the Maiden 1200 metres on 29 March at Matamata, and closed well from the rear in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 14 April at Awapuni. He has unfortunately drawn wide (17), but tends to gets back, he possesses the ability, and a strong tempo would aid his prospects. 

2:32 p.m. R5 8 Merlotti (3 g Burgundy - Ruppertsberg) - Michael McNab; he resumed winning easily on Heavy10 going in the Maiden 1200 metres on 18 March at Tauranga, but wasn't the same stepping up in class on good footing for 1400 metres on 14 April at Awapuni, won by stable-mate Accidental Tourist (Telperion). Contesting the $14,000 Rating 65 1230 metres, he receives the chance to bounce back with give in the ground. 

3:42 p.m. R7 6 Image of You (5 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Michael McNab; she got back from her wide gate (10) and rounded off strongly for fifth against a good field in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 19 April at Matamata. She is a capable mare, but requires luck from yet another wide draw (17) in the $14,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. 

3:42 p.m. R7 9 Invincibeel (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she did everything wrong when dropping back in trip with blinkers on in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 19 April at Matamata, and blinkers come off in the $14,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Likely ridden quietly from her difficult barrier (12), look for her to be finishing strongly. 

3:42 p.m. R7 11 Hayate (4 m Maurice - Vamoose) - Jessica Allen (a4); she ran home widest when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 8 April at Pukekohe, and finished solidly for fourth in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 19 April at Matamata. Handily drawn (5) in the $14,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, she enjoys weight relief to 53kg, and is capable of further improvement.