Te Akau Saturday North Island Preview

Te Akau Racing has 13 horses entered on Saturday 1 April: Avondale and Awapuni.

Avondale:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. 6mls rain forecast Saturday.

12:15 p.m. R1 3 Challa (6 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he quickened well with a rails' run to win the Rating 83 1000 metres on 11 March at Trentham, and contests the $40,000 Open 1200 metres. Facing a similar task, he rates a top three chance from barrier two one of two 6YO's in the race for the stable. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.70. 

12:15 p.m. R1 4 Aotea Lad (6 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Samantha Spratt; he sustained a run to win in terrific fashion when resuming in the $40,000 Open 1200 metres on 18 March at Tauranga, and also contests the corresponding event. Although up four kilos to carry 58kg, he looks a top three prospect on the strength of his first-up effort. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.60.

12:48 p.m. R2 3 Valentine (2 g Turn Me Loose - Fastnet Rose) - Bridget Grylls; he sustained a strong effort for third in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $30,000 2YO 1300 metres. He should receive a favourable trip from barrier one and shapes to appreciate this distance. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.90. 

12:48 p.m. R2 7 The Princie One (2 f Savabeel - The Diamond One) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she raced away for an impressive six-length trial win here in February, and posted a notable third off a wide trip when debuting in the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 15 March at Matamata. Stepping in trip appears ideal for this well-bred filly and she is expected to race well with decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.25. 

1:23 p.m. R3 7 Spellcraft (3 g Savabeel - Bewitching) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he raced well for fourth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 15 March at Matamata, and steps up in the $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres. He is improving at every start and brings the right form to prove competitive from barrier five. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90. 

Awapuni:

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 1 metre (outside rail). 6mls rain forecast Saturday.

12:30 p.m. R1 3 Bello Mio (3 g Deep Field - Bella Francesca) - Warren Kennedy; he ran home nicely down the outside in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $50,000 3YO 1200 metres. Previously, he finished strongly for fifth to stable-mate Maven Belle (Burgundy) in the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 21 January at Pukekohe. He has a number of elements in his favour: he is a winner on soft ground and acts well in a fresh state, and is capable of bold showing with luck from the wide draw (10). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

12:30 p.m. R1 8 Sans Doute (3 f Not A Single Doubt - My Prerogative) - Opie Bosson; she was well ridden to win the Special Conditions 1200 metres on 11 February at Te Rapa, and quickened clear to easily win the 3YO 1200 metres on 11 March at Trentham. She has the ability to presents as a top three prospect but will need a lot to go her way from the wide gate (12). However she has the man on board for the task in the $50,000 3YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.50. 

12:30 p.m. R1 9 Inca Belle (3 f Per Incanto - Belle Vie) - Craig Grylls; she remained unbeaten in three starts when resuming in the 3YO 1200 metres on 18 March at Tauranga, and likewise contests the $50,000 3YO 1200 metres. She meets a good field, but brings impeccable form to the contest and can deliver a podium finish with a decent trip from barrier nine. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40. 

1:40 p.m. R3 9 Sophisticardo (4 g Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Opie Bosson; he quickened to level at the 200m, going on to win well at the trials on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $50,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He flew home to win the corresponding race on 29 October at Awapuni, and is capable of a bold showing in an even field. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

3:29 p.m. R6 15 Fashion Shoot (5 m Savabeel - High Fashion) - Joe Doyle; she capped terrific form with a huge finish to win the Rating 75 1300 metres on 4 March at Te Rapa, and contests the $80,000 Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (Listed, 1400m). She drops five kilos to carry the minimum weight (53kg) and presents as a top three chance from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

3:29 p.m. R6 17 Synchronize (4 m Savabeel - Splits) - Samantha Collett; she got back and made her run near the rail in the Open Handicap 1400 metres on 11 March at Pukekohe, and also contests the $80,000 Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (Listed, 1400m). She has been running great sectionals prior, has the ability to match her rivals, and will ver very competitive if she can get some luck and cover from barrier 11. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50. 

4:03 p.m. R7 1 Trobriand (2 c Kermadec - Arboreal) - Opie Bosson; he asserted dominance over the final 200m to win well at the trials on 21 March at Taupo, looked good in an exhibition gallop during the week at Matamata, and contests the $350,000 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m). Winner of three from five, including the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), he has placed twice behind stable-mate Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin) recently, and warrants favouritism. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.30.

Last year, Champion Two-Year-Old Maven Belle (Burgundy) became the fifth consecutive winner of the Sires' for Te Akau and seventh in total.

4:43 p.m. R8 2 Brando (5 g Savabeel - Saoirse) - Opie Bosson; he showed the brilliance that has earned him eight victories when winning the Japan Trophy (Gr. 2, 1600m) last Saturday at Tauranga, and contests the $140,000 City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr. 2, 2000m). Up to middle distance for first time, he has won three of his last four, has placed in the Flying Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at this meeting last year, and should race well with luck from wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.