Te Akau Saturday Inter-Island Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Saturday 5 February: New Plymouth and Wingatui.

New Plymouth:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. 60mls rain forecast Saturday.

1:40 p.m. R3 7 Highborn (4 m Savabeel - Tempo Manor) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); ran the fastest last 600m (34.1) for third in a Maiden 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, before leading home a Te Akau first four in a Maiden 1200 metres on 12 January at Matamata. Up in grade for the $30,000 Special Conditions 1200 metres, she enjoys weight relief to 54kg, and the handy barrier two aids her prospects. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.10.

2:14 p.m. R4 5 Maven Belle (2 f Burgundy - Doyenne) - Opie Bosson; looked good beating subsequent Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m) winning stable-mate Hanalei (Darci Brahma) when debuting in a Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha. Given time (33 days), she presents as a top three prospect in the $80,000 Platinum Homes 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) despite her awkward gate (9). Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.25.

3:25 p.m. R6 1 Perfect Scenario (4 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); was notable in two starts at Awapuni, recently an Open 1550 metres on Boxing Day, before an eye-catching third to subsequent winning stable-mate Campionessa (Contributer) in a Rating 74 1600 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa. With weight relief to 59kg in the $30,000 Rating 74 1800 metres, he is a solid performer, has been a winner on slow footing, is stakes' placed 2000 metres, and thus rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

4:00 p.m. R7 7 Outfit (3 f Tivaci - Costume) - Opie Bosson; quickly ascended when winning a Maiden 1600 metres on 18 December at Te Rapa, before finishing back in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) won by stable-mate Self Obsession (Shocking) on 1 January at Ellerslie. Given time (35 days), she is capable of a first three finish in the $60,000 Fasttrack Insurance Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m). Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.75.

Wingatui:

Weather: raining, track: Slow7, rail: out 3 metres from 1400m - 300m, remainder true. 20mls forecast Friday, 2mls Saturday.

2:00 p.m. R4 11 Irish Red (3 f Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Rohan Mudhoo; worked forward from a wide draw (13) before peaking to finish sixth in a 2YO & 3YO 1200 metres here on Boxing Day, and clocked the fastest 600m (35.1) with a top run for third in the Gore Guineas (Listed, 1335m) on 22 January at Gore. Twice stakes' placed, she has the attributes to deliver a top three finish from barrier one in the $60,000 Positive Signs Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1500m). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.