Te Akau Ruakaka Previews

Te Akau New Zealand has fifteen horses racing on Wednesday 12 October:

Ruakaka:

As on Tuesday 11 October the conditions were: showery and Dead5, rail out 4 metres. 1ml rain forecast 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. race day.

12.10 p.m. R1 4 Summer Monsoon (2 c Stratum - Princess Narine) - Michael McNab; makes his debut from barrier three in the 2YO 900 metres, after trialling on 20 September at Avondale. In the fastest (36.4) of three heats over 600 metres, from the outside draw, he worked nicely down the straight and had more to offer when finishing close up in fourth. His dam Princess Narine (Red Ransom) had an exemplary first up record in Victoria, winning all four starts over 1200m/1300m in a fresh state, which should stand this colt in good stead.

12.10 p.m. R1 7 Melody Belle (2 f Commands - Mejeka Belle) - Cameron Lammas; has drawn barrier one on debut in the 2YO 900 metres, having had one trial over 600 metres on 20 September at Avondale, and is eligible for an $8,000 NZB Pearl Series Bonus. She displayed natural ability and plenty of resolve when seeing off a rival to win her heat in 36.8, and has the depth of talent through her family to test her seven rivals.

1.20 p.m. R3 3 Beaumarchais (3 g Savabeel - Almaviva) - Michael McNab; produced a much better performance than the form indicates in the Maiden 1200 metres, on debut, at Te Rapa, when denied room over the concluding stages. In a race won impressively by Killarney (O'Reilly), his times stacked up well and while requiring luck from a wide gate the increase in distance will suit in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres.

1.20 p.m. R3 9 Tiffany's Time (3 f Alamosa - Tinsel Time) - Matt Cameron; has recorded two notable efforts for fifth, from only two starts, the most recent from a wide draw here on 28 September in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres where she closed off with the fastest final 600m (34.8). Drawn barrier three in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres should ensure a favourable trip and with the addition of visor blinkers she appears an each way chance.

1.55 p.m. R4 2 Foreigner (3 c Savabeel - Pins on Ice) - Michael McNab; made a terrific start to his career when finishing second here in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 28 September, running home in 35.4 after being caught three wide in midfield. Stepping up in distance appears ideal in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres and a softer passage from barrier six should see him right in the mix.

1.55 p.m. R4 6 Shocking Luck (3 g Shocking - Shamardal Luck) - Cameron Lammas; has settled off the pace in each of his two preparatory trials, so may not be rushed on debut from barrier four in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. However the prospect of better footing than he encountered at trials should prove an assist. His dam Shamardal Luck (Shamardal) won over 2100 metres and he appears a nice staying type in the making.

2.30 p.m. R5 2 Wide Awake (3 g Savabeel - Kay's Awake) - Michael McNab; was eye-catching when running home from last to finish third, after drawing wide on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres at Te Rapa, clocking the fastest last 600m (34.9). Prior to that, he unwound stylishly to win by three lengths in the fastest (1:06.6) of the Maiden 3YO 1030-metre heats on August 25 at Te Teko. Drawn favourably in barrier five, he looks one of the top chances along with Lord Mapperley (O'Reilly) and Khar Khorum (Choisir) in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres.

2.30 p.m. R5 12 Madam Monica (3 f Mastercraftsman - Lynisky) - Cameron Lammas; made ground from ten lengths astern at the 600m to halve the margin and finish sixth in the second of two preparatory trials at Avondale and resumes in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. She had race day experience at two, finishing behind Honey Rider (Pins) over 1300 metres in May at Hastings and has the pedigree to improve over more ground. With blinkers and a nose band added to the gear, she should be able to utilize the ace draw.

3.05 p.m. R6 13 Maleficent (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Fairy Tipsy) - Michael McNab; has required time to mature and is now ready to make her debut in the Maiden 1400 metres on the back of two preparatory trials this time in. Most recently, over 1000 metres on September 20 at Avondale, she was held together throughout, just behind the pace and went through the line with more to offer in fourth with McNab aboard. Drawn barrier ten and expected to work home solidly, she is a half-sister to Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Distill (Volksraad) and Mr Tipsy (Montjeu) who placed in the Auckland and Sydney cups and was the winner of eleven races.

3.40 p.m. R7 5 Paradise Rock (4 g Fastnet Rock - Apple Charlotte) - Cameron Lammas; worked home solidly to finish sixth in a line up for the minors on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres at Te Rapa, with Lammas aboard, and should like stepping to 1400 metres. He will require luck from a wide draw and has both the pedigree and characteristics to appreciate even more distance.

3.40 p.m. R7 17 King Kane (3 g Showcasing - Vannista Belle) - Michael McNab; galloped home solidly out of midfield for fifth, with McNab aboard, on debut in the Maiden 1400 metres on September 14 at Te Rapa, having trialled well prior to racing, but has unfortunately drawn wide in the corresponding event. In a race where the local Floating Heart (Encosta De Lago) looks the likely favourite, he can be a player with luck in running.

4.15 p.m. R8 5 Ocean Rock (3 g Fastnet Rock - Ocean Pearl) - Cameron Lammas; drew awkwardly in barrier nine on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres at Te Rapa but worked early to cross over in second before leading a furlong out and finished third. It was a brave effort and a similar performance should see him competitive from barrier seven in the corresponding race where Royal Fashion (Snitzel) is expected to dominate betting.

4.15 p.m. R8 15 Epic Tale (3 g Snitzel - Mini Tales) - Michael McNab; struggled for traction in the slow going when trialling over 820 metres on August 25 at Te Teko, but has been given time since and worked up well in readiness to debut from barrier six in the Maiden 1200 metres. A lovely type of horse, he boasts richness in pedigree and a bold performance would not surprise.

4.50 p.m. R9 17 Herschal (4 g Savabeel - Starring) - Michael McNab; spelled after racing in July and resumes off 102 days in the Maiden 1200 metres. A horse that has shown ability at times, barrier two should ensure an economical trip and allow him to find the line positively in a field where the local Romancer (Redwood) is expected to dominate betting.

6.02 p.m. R11 14 Corporate Missile (3 f Smart Missile - Corporate) - Cameron Lammas; ran home strongly behind subsequent winner Sweet Leader (O'Reilly) when resuming at Taupo, before winning the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on Slow9 at Matamata but heavy rain on the day put paid to her chances in the $70,000 Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 24 September at Ellerslie. Back in class and with visor blinkers on, she has drawn handily (4) in the Rating 65 1400 metres and possesses genuine qualities to prove competitive.