Te Akau Saturday North Island Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Saturday 17 October: Ellerslie, and Hastings.

Ellerslie:

Weather: fine, track: Slow7, rail: out 9.5 metres 1000m - 400m, remainder out 11.5 metres. No rain forecast.

12.00 p.m. R1 3 Richard of Yorke (9 g Oasis Dream - Cascata) - Michael Roustoby (a2); rounded off well for third in the $10,000 Maiden Hurdle (2760m) here on 4 October and contests the corresponding event. Aided by give in the ground, he has a second and two thirds in the jumps role and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.55.

Hastings:

Weather: showery, track: Slow8, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

2.05 p.m. R4 13 Reiko (4 m Reliable Man - Lady Eiko) - Danielle Johnson; ran good time (34.6) with a strong finish for fifth when resuming in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 30 September at Tauranga, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. From barrier two, she rates a top three chance in a solid field. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

3.50 p.m. R7 6 Challa (4 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); won emphatically off the front, with Kamaruddin aboard, when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 2 October at Te Rapa. He faces a stiffer assignment in the $40,000 Rating 74 1200 metres, but expected to go forward and could take catching. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $3.10.

3.50 p.m. R7 13 Rhapsody in Blue (4 m Medaglia d'Oro - Kablues) - Danielle Johnson; held off subsequent winner Can I Get An Amen (Hallowed Crown) when scoring in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 13 September at Taupo, and given time (34 days) she contests the $40,000 Rating 74 1200 metres. She is ideally drawn (3) to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

4.25 p.m. R8 5 Prise De Fer (5 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; made up plenty of ground for fifth to Melody Belle (Commands) in the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) here a fortnight ago, following a strong third fresh-up to Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 5 September at Te Rapa. Second to Avantage (Fastnet Rock) last season in the Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), he has again drawn out (11) but suited stepping in trip for the $250,000 Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.80. 

4.25 p.m. R8 9 Melody Belle (6 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Troy Harris; was back to her brilliant best when defeating Avantage (Fastnet Rock) here a fortnight ago in the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) and sets about defending her title in the $250,000 Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m). The job is made tougher from barrier 12, but unbeaten in six Group 1 wins on the course (total 11) the reigning Horse of the Year appears primed to give another stellar performance. Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.35.

4.25 p.m. R8 10 Avantage (5 m Fastnet Rock - Asavant) - Danielle Johnson; tracked Melody Belle and got her measure before the reigning Horse of the Year fought back to win the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) here a fortnight ago. A quadruple Group 1 winner from 1200m - 2000m, she is ideally drawn (4) to threaten in the $250,000 Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m). Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.45.  

Photo - our three Group 1 contenders

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