Te Akau Rotorua Preview

Te Akau New Zealand trainer Jason Bridgman lines up five runners at Racing Rotorua on Wednesday 21 January 2015.

As at 8.30am on raceday, the weather is fine and the irrigated track is a Dead4 with the rail true.

2:05pm R2 7 Astrid - Matthew Cameron: has drawn midfield after a gutsy debut performance at Thames on 3 January when she disputed the pace and was only just beaten a nose on the line. One would expect improvement from the experience and going left-handed on a roomier track, can factor in this with some luck in the running.

2:40pm R3 3 Alchemy's Flight - Danielle Johnson: went an improved effort for third last start at Awapuni after being slow away and held up in the home straight. Up in grade and down in weight for leading rider Danielle Johnson, she is a speedy mare that has drawn well. There is enough speed in the race to set up a challenge for those coming from off the pace.

3:50pm R5 4 Skyscraper - Lee Magorrian (claims 2kgs): back at Rotorua for his second start after several unfortunate circumstances kept him from performing to his ability on debut. Having to stand in the gates for several minutes which resulted in him being slow away and thus ending up back in the field off of a stop-start pace, he was unable to establish a rhythm and stride out to factor in the running. Up in distance will suit and with a better barrier he should get some luck in the running to atone for debut performance.

5:35pm R8 11 Seline - Lee Magorrian (claims 2kgs): fought on well in her last two performances when on the speed in the running at Matamata and Rotorua. A genuine filly that is fit and well, she will be ridden further off the pace from barrier 11 in a full field of 14, and has the advantage of a nice light of 54.5kg with apprentice Lee Magorrian in the saddle. With some luck in the running she is a chance considering her fitness and experience. One of two in the race for Jason Bridgman.

5:35pm R8 6 Frock - Matthew Cameron: should prove fitter for her debut performance around two turns at Thames on 3 January over 1700m where she was ridden off the pace on the tight-turning track.  She came widest of runners to keep up a gallop and make her bid. A decent barrier and longer home straight at Rotorua are factors that should aid her to an improved performance.