Te Akau Ruakaka Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses entered for the nine race programme on Saturday 18 June at Ruakaka.

As on Friday 17 June the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. No rain forecast.

1.30 p.m. R4 7 Opulent (4 m Keeper - Silk Slipper) - Matt Cameron; tracked home winning stable-mate Beacon of Hope (Fastnet Rock) when resuming here in the Rating 75 1200 metres and a month later steps up in distance for the $25,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Although rising in grade she is dropping in weight from 60kg to 54kg. An impressive course/distance winner on Dead4 last July, her record is strong here and barrier two ideal.

2.34 p.m. R6 2 Beacon of Hope (3 g Fastnet Rock - Randaroo) - Michael McNab; was a touch too good for his rivals in the Rating 75 1200 metres on May 18 at Ruakaka, clocking a very respectable 1:10.4 and last 600m in 35.4. Contesting the corresponding race - stake $22,500 - carrying the same 59.5kg impost, he should continue his good form on this course.

2.34 p.m. R6 3 Windborne (3 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Doni Prastiyou (a1); continued her very good form when finishing second in the $20,000 3YO 1200 metres at Te Rapa, after staging a massive run through the pack for fourth to stable-mate Xtravagant (Pentire) in the $70,000 Cambridge Breeders 3YO Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Te Rapa. Looks a strong chance from barrier four in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres, providing she is appreciative of the course at her first attempt.

2.34 p.m. R6 4 Shillelagh (4 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Matt Cameron; was unable to quicken in the Slow7 conditions when resuming on May 14 in the $25,000 Rating 85 1200 metres at New Plymouth, and she is a classy mare that can bounce back on better going in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres.

2.34 p.m. R6 6 Astrid (4 m Pins - Astralita) - Jasmine Fawcett (a4); resumes off 101 days in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres and gives Te Akau apprentice her second race day ride after finishing third at her debut outing. Weighted to carry 54kg, she has acted very well fresh up in the past and possesses plenty of determination.

3.09 p.m. R7 1 Latin Rose (4 m Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Matt Cameron; resumed with a very good win in the Rating 75 1150 metres at Waipa, and her second up effort for fourth to Let Me Roar (Rip Van Winkle) was terrific in the $22,500 Rating 75 1400 metres at Te Rapa. Up to a mile for the first time in the $22,500 Rating 75 1600 metres and carrying equal top weight of 60kg is no easy task, especially in a field made stronger if Koenigsegg One (Swiss Ace) opts for this race, but she is racing well.

4.28 p.m. R9 12 Its Our Showtime (3 f Showcasing - Be Inspired) - Matt Cameron; raced clear to win by nearly four lengths in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres at Otaki, before being swamped on the line following a tough trip in the Rating 65 1300 metres at Hastings. She is a good athlete but will require luck from a wide draw in the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres.