Te Akau Rotorua Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Wednesday 22 April at Rotorua.  

Rotorua: 

Weather: showery, track: Heavy10, rail: out 3 metres from 1560 metres to 1300 metres, remainder out 5.5 metres. No rain forecast. 

1:07 p.m. R2 3 Legend Of Kings (5 g Camelot – Joshua’s Princess) – Jay Kozaczek (a2); he finished well back when resuming on Good4 footing in the Rating 65 2100 metres on 25 March at Hawera, and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 Benchmark & Jumps Hight-weight 1950 metres. Purchased and raced by Fortuna, he was a winner over 2400m in the UK, placed three times to 2200m in NSW, and with some give in the ground, he will be looking to improve on his Kiwi debut. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.15.

1:42 p.m. R3 2 War Of Succession (5 g Tavistock – Ziffel) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he ran home well in tight quarters when resuming in the Rating 75 1500 metres on 4 April at Ellerslie, and contests the $17,000 Rating 75 1560 metres. He’s recorded four wins up to 2100 metres, including here on soft ground over 1950 metres, has the plus of Hayley’s weight relief to 57.5kg, and is a genuine top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.65. 

2:17 p.m. R4 5 Petite Rocher (3 f Grunt – Little Rock) – Craig Grylls; she ran the fastest last 600m (35.2) from back in the field when closing strongly for second in the Maiden 1200 metres on 22 March at Matamata, and is the first of a stable duo taking on the $17,000 Maiden 2YO & Up 1230 metres. She is very close to breaking maiden ranks, having been runner-up in three of her four starts  so far and, if she can handle the going, today could be her day. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.50.

2:17 p.m. R4 7 She Means Business (3 f Circus Maximus – Risque Business) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she ran home solidly near the rail when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres on 22 March at Matamata, and likewise contests the Maiden 2YO & Up 1230 metres. She is from a talented family, being the half-sister to Te Akau trained winner of six from 10 It’s Business Time (Turn Me Loose), and while she enjoys weight relief to 54kg, much depends on how she handles the conditions. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.45. 

4:04 p.m. R7 7 Viva Glam (4 m Savabeel – Style By Design) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she fought well for fourth on Heavy10 footing in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 28 March at Te Aroha, with also with Hayley aboard, and contests the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Rating 65 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). She recorded a dominant Maiden win on Heavy9 going last season, and has weight relief to 55.5kg with the apprentice engaged. She has also placed twice at distance, and by this time on the programme, her wide draw (11) may prove advantageous. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.60.