Te Akau Ruakaka Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses racing on Saturday 15 September at Ruakaka.

As on race morning the conditions were: cloudy and Dead5, rail true. No rain forecast.

4.09 p.m. R7 1 Sword of Osman (3 g Savabeel - Bunyah) - Shafiq Rusof; was incredibly dominant winning the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) at his third start and then proved too good in the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). An exciting galloper, he trialled twice in August and resumes in the $70,000 Cambridge Stud Northern Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). Likely to take up a handy position from barrier six, settling in the run is paramount to his chances but he certainly has the power and quality to test this field. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.25.

4.44 p.m. R8 1 Mongolianconqueror (4 g Ocean Park - Queen Rania) - Nik Bakar (a4); received a nice trip in third when winning his trial on 28 August at Te Teko, and resumes from barrier two in the $30,000 Rating 82 1400 metres. A big improver throughout his three-year-old season: beaten by a nose in the $1m New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and 3.2 lengths in the $600,000 Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m). Aided by weight relief to 58.5kgs, her has raced well here previously and capable of a cheeky performance from barrier two. Fixed odds: $3.70 & $1.50.

5.20 p.m. R9 8 Qian Gua (4 g Cape Blanco - Cool Diamonds) - Shafiq Rusof; recorded consecutive wins over 1600 metres and spelled in May after a second over 2000 metres. Following two trials, he resumes in the $25,000 Rating 72 1600 metres. Drawn wide (14) dictates a patient approach, but the likelihood of a genuine pace in a strong field could see him in the finish. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40.