Te Akau Saturday North Island Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Saturday 4 December: Matamata and Trentham. 

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. Showers forecast.

12.41 p.m. R1 12 Tauparae  (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); worked home well on rain-affected heavy footing in a Rating 65 1200 metres on 13 November at Tauranga, and contests the $45,000 Rating 65 1500 metres. Awkwardly drawn (9), but she has weight relief to 55kg, good credentials and is suited stepping up in distance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

1.18 p.m. R2 8 Felicienne  (4 m Savabeel - Flavigny) - Kozzi Asano; resumed with an eye-catching late dash for second (nose) in a Maiden 1215 metres on 16 November at Rotorua, and steps up in the $20,000 Maiden 1400 metres. During her first campaign, she recorded three seconds and third from six starts in strong fields, and she rates top three despite wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.35.

1.53 p.m. R3 13 Madame Moet (4 m Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); finished strongly for a close fourth when resuming in a Maiden 1215 metres on 16 November at Rotorua, and steps up in the $20,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She is notable in finishing fourth in all three starts, has weight relief to 54.5kg and she rates top three from barrier two - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

1.53 p.m. R3 15 Outfit (3 f Tivaci - Costume) - Kozzi Asano; debuted with a top run for third to subsequent winner La Bella Beals (Star Turn) in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 20 October at Tauranga, and was without room in the straight when fifth in a Maiden 1400 metres on 16 November at Rotorua. From barrier four, she rates a top three chance in the $20,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

2.27 p.m. R4 3 Exaltation  (5 m Not A Single Doubt - Meleka Belle) - Courtney Barnes; given time (49 days) since resuming in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 16 October at Hastings, she closed the margin when trialling on 23 November at Cambridge. Impressive when winning, she is capable of a bold showing in the $45,000 Rating 74 1400 metres from barrier one - another race with two stable representatives. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.00.

2.27 p.m. R4 12 Campionessa  (4 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); resumed with a notable third to subsequent Levin Stakes (Listed, 1200m) winner Rose ‘N' Power (Power) on 6 November at Te Rapa, and since worked home well in a trial on 29 November at Matamata. She enjoys weight relief to 53kg in the $45,000 Rating 74 1400 metres, is a course/distance winner at her only attempt and is consistent and talented but requires luck from her tricky draw (11). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.

3.38 p.m. R6 7 Top Brass  (6 g Epaulette - Highlight) - Niranjan Parmar (a4); was given no respite in front when fourth in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 12 November at Awapuni, and contests the $55,000 Open 1200 metres. A tough customer, he has weight relief to 54kg, and he should race well if the race is run to suit. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

Trentham:

Weather: overcast, track: Dead4, rail: true. 5mls rain forecast Saturday.

4.30 p.m. R8 4 Prise De Fer  (6 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Johnathan Parkes; freshened since a top third to stable-mate Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) in Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on 16 October at Hastings, and was good late at the trials on 29 November at Matamata. He has the ability to act fresh, is a Group Two winner and twice Group One placed at the mile, he should race well in the $220,000 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) with any luck from the outside gate (12). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

4.30 p.m. R8 8 Brando  (4 h Savabeel - Saoirse) - Craig Grylls; just managed to cope with rain-affected heavy footing and the top weight (60kg) for a notable third in a Open 1400 metres on 13 November at Tauranga, and steps up in $220,000 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). Runner-up here in Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) last season, he has the ability to compete from barrier three. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.60.