Te Akau Ruakaka Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses racing on Wednesday 4 October at Ruakaka.

As on race morning the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail true. No rain forecast.

11.55 a.m. R1 7 Irish Cream (2 f O'Reilly - Zantelagh) - Cameron Lammas; had her first trial last Tuesday (Sept. 26) at Te Teko, over 600 metres. She led from barrier one and quickened when asked in a comfortable win. A classy filly, from a family that acts at two, she displayed a good action in the trial and has the professionalism to acquit herself well on debut in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 900 metres, against five rivals all having their first start.

1.07 p.m. R3 13 Mongolianconqueror (3 g Ocean Park - Queen Rania) - Michael Coleman; had things go wrong at the start when making his debut here on 16 September in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, running home from last in a faster time (35.65 - 600m) than the winner. Drawn wide in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres, with blinkers on, he will be ridden quietly and a genuine pace should see him attacking the line.

1.07 p.m. R3 14 Verbal Command (3 f Commands - Donna Sienna) - Cameron Lammas; got back after beginning awkwardly and ran home in the same time (35.69 - 600m) as the winner when debuting here on 16 September against her stable-mate, above. She too has blinkers on in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres and rates an each way chance if able to take up a handier position from barrier seven.

2.52 p.m. R6 3 Epic Tale (4 g Snitzel - Mini Tales) - Opie Bosson; followed a dominant trial win with a fifth when resuming on Heavy11 over 1200 metres at Tauranga, and drawn barrier three in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. During four starts in his first campaign, he showed when finishing third over 1400 metres to subsequent New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) runner-up Devise (Darci Brahma) at Hastings, that he could foot it with some talented gallopers and appears a solid chance.

2.52 p.m. R6 12 Winehouse (4 m No Excuse Needed - Singing Star) - Cameron Lammas; has been ticking over since trialling on 1 August at Te Teko, and makes her debut in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Bred to get considerably further, being from Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Singing Star, an encouraging performance from barrier eight would be an ideal start to her career.

4.04 p.m. R8 2 Embellish (3 c Savabeel - Bling) - Opie Bosson; put aside in April following a second on debut over 1200 metres at Ellerslie, he resumes in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. In preparation, he was held together in front when finishing second in a trial on 31 August at Te Teko. He registered a third and first respectively in two trials as a two-year-old, each with Bosson aboard, beating stakes placed stable-mate Summer Monsoon (Stratum) on 21 March at Matamata. A brother to Group One winner Diademe, with whom Bosson had a terrific association, he has quality about him and should make his presence felt in this field.

5.14 p.m. R10 2 Hushed (7 g Don Eduardo - Danewhisper) - Opie Bosson; trialled well behind subsequent dual winner Deal In Heels (Iffraaj) on 22 August at Avondale, on ground too testing for him, and resumes in the $11,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. He finished second here over a mile at his only course attempt. Winning six of his 16 starts, he is gearing up for another stint over middle-distances.

5.14 p.m. R10 4 Beaumarchais (4 g Savabeel - Almaviva) - Matt Cameron; trialled well on 26 September at Te Teko, and resumes in the $11,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. The winner of two races, both over 1400 metres, he produced a slashing performance for fourth to stable-mate Gingernuts (Iffraaj) in the New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), before a close second in the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m) to end his three-year-old season. He finished third here over 1400 metres at his only course attempt and has the right credentials to prove competitive first up.

5.14 p.m. R10 6 Royal Success (5 g Savabeel - Royal Show) - Jason Waddell; was under no pressure leading and finishing a close second in the same trial at Beaumarchais at Te Teko, and resumes in the $11,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Winning four of his eight starts, including two over 1400 metres and a fourth placing in the NZ Derby (Gr.1, 2400m), he acts fresh and ideally drawn in barrier three.