Te Akau Saturday North South Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Saturday 23 April: Pukekohe and Riccarton.

Pukekohe:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:54 p.m. R5 2 Supreme Khan (4 g Mongolian Khan - Angelica Hall) - Opie Bosson; was tightened late when mounting a run in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 2 April at Awapuni, and contests the $30,000 Rating 74 1400 metres. A winner at the distance, he has a solid record, but requires luck from the difficult draw (11) to has first four claims. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

4:10 p.m. R7 4 Brando (4 g Savabeel - Saoirse) - Opie Bosson; got back from a wide gate and finished strongly for second in the Flying Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 2 April at Awapuni. Stakes' winner and twice Group 1 placed, he rates a top three chance from barrier three in the $120,000 Manco Easter Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

3:04 p.m. R8 6 Belle of the Ball (3 f Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Lisa Allpress; continued her good form when dashing late for third in a Maiden 1600 metres 30 March at Matamata, and stepped up with a fourth after sitting outside leader in NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m) here from a wide gate a fortnight ago. She is racing well, but is required to see out the trip and needs a ton of luck from the awkward barrier (13) in the $60,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m). In her favour, her dam Lady Tatia (Duke of Marmalade) won twice to 1850 metres and finished third in the Moonee Valley Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.40.

3:41 p.m. R9 1 Prise De Fer (6 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Jason Laking; prevailed under the top weight (59kg) in an Open 1500 metres on 5 March at Ellerslie, and was halted in his tracks when mounting a strong run from last in the Flying Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 2 April at Awapuni.  A Group Two winner at 1600 metres and multiple Group One placed to 2040 metres, he is suited by the weight-for-age scale, and he rates a top three prospect in the $100,000 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr. 3, 2000m). Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.35.