Te Akau Rotorua Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing on Wednesday 18 January at Rotorua.

As on Tuesday 17 January the conditions were: fine andDead4, rail true. No rain forecast.

3.53 p.m. R6 7 Gardenier (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Miss Montjeu) - Opie Bosson; trialled well over 1000 metres on 13 December at Te Aroha, and resumes from barrier five in the Maiden 1400 metres. A half-sister to multiple stakes' performing stable-mate Chambord (Zabeel), she has been patiently handled, given time to mature, and shown enough in a handful of starts to suggest a breakthrough at short notice.

3.53 p.m. R6 14 Unfazed (3 f Zabeel - Faze) - Michael McNab; did a good job making headway over 1200 metres on debut at Te Aroha, in November, but never had things go her way when casting a plate on 24 December at New Plymouth. She has shown the talent to register a much improved performance from barrier one in the Maiden 1400 metres.

4.27 p.m. R7 6 Princess Davone (4 m Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Opie Bosson; has been given time, 42 days, since recording a notable effort for sixth in the Rating 75 1500 metres on 7 December at Ellerslie, after resuming with a very good victory at her previous start in October at Pukekohe. Placed in five stakes' races as a three-year-old, she has what it takes to be competitive in the Rating 1400 metres with luck from the outside barrier (9).

5.07 p.m. R8 2 Scarlet Princess (3 f Redwood - Volks Princess) - Opie Bosson; was denied victory at just her second start when claimed on the line here by stable-mate Foreigner (Savabeel) over 1400 metres on 27 December. The pair drew clear of the opposition and having already raced well on the course is a decided advantage. Contesting the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series 1400 metres, for fillies and mares, much will depend on finding a good position from an awkward draw (11).

5.36 p.m. R9 8 Paradise Rock (4 g Fastnet Rock - Apple Charlotte) - Opie Bosson; was too good off the front when winning on this course over 1560 metres in November and after having his saddle slip next time out he finished fifth over the same distance here on 27 December. A real staying type, stepping up in the Rating 65 1950 metres appears ideal and barrier four should ensure a favourable trip.