Te Akau Ruakaka Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses entered for the eight race programme on Wednesday 18 May at Ruakaka.

As on Tuesday 17 May the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. 2mls rain forecast race day.

12.20 p.m. R1 1 Opulent (4 m Keeper - Silk Slipper) - Matt Cameron; resumes without a trial off 94 days in the Rating 75 1200 metres. She was fresh up when finishing second at the corresponding meet last year before going on to record two smart victories on the course and despite carrying 60kgs has the class to figure.

12.20 p.m. R1 2 Beacon of Hope (3 g Fastnet Rock - Randaroo) - Cameron Lammas; tied up in the slow ground over 1400 metres at Te Aroha, and drops back in distance. His two wins have been recorded on Good2 and Dead4, and he was close up in a strong field at his only course attempt.

1.30 p.m. R3 1 Zavistic (2 c Zacinto - Miss Avalon) - Matt Cameron; freshened after two thirds and with blinkers on he has the gate speed to prove a leading contender in the Maiden 2YO 900 metres.

2.05 p.m. R4 10 Grazia (3 f Savabeel - Trocair) - Shaun McKay (a1); put in a brave performance for fourth in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on Slow7 at Pukekohe, and given better footing appears an each way chance in the Maiden 1400 metres for apprentice jockeys.

4.03 p.m. R7 14 Stella Di Paco (3 f Paco Boy - Savabeel Star) - Cameron Lammas; worked too hard, on pace, in the Rating 65 1600 metres on Slow7 at Pukekohe, having fought solidly in a photo for the minors (fourth) in the Rating 65 1400 metres on Anzac Day at Avondale. She should receive a cosy trip from barrier two in the Rating 65 1400 metres.

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