Te Akau Rotorua Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on 6 January at Rotorua.

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 3 metres 900m - 300m, remainder true.  9mls rain forecast.

2:47 p.m. R4 1 Burgundy Rose  (5 m Burgundy - Paraiba) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); ran the fastest last 600m (33.8) at the meeting when third in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth, and contests the $12,000 Rating 74 1215 metres. With weight relief to 58kg, she was second here three starts ago at her only course attempt and rates a top three chance.

3:22 p.m. R5 1 Rip Van Gogh  (4 g Rip Van Winkle - On the Move) - Opie Bosson; freshened following his second in a Maiden 1300 metres on 3 November at Cambridge (poly-track), galloped home solidly for second at the trials on 21 December at Ellerslie, and resumes in the $12,000 Maiden 1215 metres. He brings form to rate a top three contender with any luck from draw (17).

3:57 p.m. R6 3 Arceus  (3 g Per Incanto - Centree) - Opie Bosson; was close up among the minors for sixth to stable-mate Cote de Beaune (Burgundy) when resuming in a Maiden 1200 metres on 22 December at New Plymouth, and contests the $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. He receives the opportunity to improve further from barrier six and has the top rider engaged.

5:12 p.m. R8 4 Fierce Flight (3 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Opie Bosson; held a midfield position at the trials on 21 December at Ellerslie. Debuting in the $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres, and drawn barrier six, this looks an ideal starting point in a race with two stable runners.

5:12 p.m. R8 14 Ifyourample  (3 f Iffraaj - More than Adequate) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); continued notable form when fourth to stable-mate Pin Me Up (Pins) in a Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 18 December at Te Rapa, and also contests the $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She has weight relief to 53kg, and has first four claims from barrier one.