Te Akau Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has thirteen horses racing on Saturday 18 February: Ellerslie, and New Plymouth.

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 17 February the conditions were: raining and Slow7, rail out 7 metres. 3mls rain forecast Friday and 5mls race day.

12.59 p.m. R2 3 Splurge (4 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Danielle Johnson; stood the leader five lengths at the 600m before mounting a big run for second in the Rating 85 1200 metres on 28 January at Trentham, running his final 600m in a rather phenomenal 32.7. Victorious in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on Boxing Day, after a fresh-up win at Hastings, the winner of four from eight has drawn barrier six in the $27,500 Rating 85 1200 metres. He looks one of the main chances in a form packed field, and has won on rain-affected footing. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.45.

12.59 p.m. R2 4 Latin Rose (5 m Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Cameron Lammas; felt the effects of racing outside the leader on a strong pace in the Rating 85 1300 metres on 28 January at Pukekohe, after resuming a month earlier with a top run for third here in the Rating 85 1200 metres. Contesting the corresponding race, she should receive an economical trip from barrier three and with the addition of a nasal strip this stakes placed mare can produce a much improved performance. She has raced pretty well with give in the ground. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $3.80.

2.48 p.m. R5 12 Dame Margo Fonteyn (3 f High Chaparral - Dancing Forever) - Matt Cameron; has been given time after being late scratched from the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) here on 1 January, a race in which she was a genuine chance, having won the Rating 65 1600 metres on 14 December at Matamata. Winning fresh-up on 1 December, she became the hundredth winner trained by Te Akau for Fortuna Syndications and gets a chance to stamp herself with a strong run from barrier five in the $25,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. She has won at the trials and race day on heavy and dead going, respectively.

3.23 p.m. R6 3 Shocking Luck (3 g Shocking - Shamardal Luck) - Cameron Lammas; ran a bottler at big odds when finishing second in the Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 4 February at Te Rapa, after a win and second, respectively, over 2000 metres at his two previous starts indicated a staying horse of promise. He fought hard after leading last time, running the final 600m in 34.6, and warrants respect if able to emulate in the $100,000 Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m). Yet to be tested race day on wet ground, some progeny of his sire have handled it. Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.60.

3.23 p.m. R6 10 Beaumarchais (3 g Savabeel - Almaviva) - Alysha Collett; along with his rivals was unable to make ground in a leader dominated Rating 75 1600 metres on 4 February at Te Rapa, after handling slow ground to win the Rating 65 1400 metres on 23 January at Woodville. He has both the type and pedigree to get over a trip and a smooth passage from barrier eight should see him race well in the $100,000 Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m). Fixed odds: $81.00 & $11.50.

3.23 p.m. R6 11 Gingernuts (3 g Iffraaj - Double Elle) - Johnathan Parkes; earned himself a start in the $100,000 Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) when handsomely winning the Rating 65 1600 metres on 30 January at Te Teko. The winner of two races from a handful of starts, including a two-year-old victory, there is a wide draw to contend with but he shapes as though the distance will suit and has the services of an inform rider. He raced trialled and raced well on dead/slow footing at two. Fixed odds: $31.00 & $6.00.

3.58 p.m. R7 6 Hushed (5 g Don Eduardo - Danewhisper) - Matt Cameron; took a massive step when winning the Hamilton Cup over 2000 metres on 4 February at Te Rapa, and rises in class again to contest the $100,000 Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m). Advancing from Maiden status to this level in the space of nine starts - rendering six wins - is quite a remarkable achievement and he is sure to give another honest account from barrier four. He has won on dead and slow going. Fixed odds: $7.60 & $2.65.

3.58 p.m. R7 20 Imperium (5 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Alysha Collett; stamped himself amongst staying ranks with a close third in the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m), November at Riccarton, and stuck gamely for fourth after a midrace move when resuming on 28 January in the Rating 85 2100 metres at Pukekohe. Saddled with minimum weight (52kgs) in the $100,000 Avondale Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m), he gets a chance to press claims for the $500,000 Auckland Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) on 11 March at Ellerslie. He has won twice on slow going. Fixed odds: $56.00 & $12.50.

New Plymouth:

As on Friday 17 February the conditions were: raining and Slow7, rail out 6 metres. 7mls rain forecast Friday, no rain race day.

12.36 p.m. R1 6 Astrid (5 m Pins - Astralita) - Dylan Turner; presented in first-class condition prior to a smart win in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 22 January at Te Rapa, she rises in grade to contest the $30,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Drawn barrier two, with an inform rider aboard, she possesses all the right attributes to prove competitive against some talented rivals in a field of seven. She looked good winning on Dead5 last time. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $1.95.

2.24 p.m. R4 7 Nucleonic (2 f Burgundy - Mexican Rose) - Lisa Allpress; could hardly have been more impressive when debuting here on 27 December in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres, and given time to freshen since she takes her place from barrier five in the $70,000 Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m). Her dam, Mexican Rose (Volksraad) was champion 2YO & 3YO in Singapore, while first season sire Burgundy (Redoute's Choice) leads the way with winners in the juvenile ranks, and she looks an exciting chance in the race. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.50.

2.24 p.m. R4 8 Icebomb (2 f Darci Brahma - Snowdonia) - Shaun McKay; did very well in an incident packed run to come from back in the field for third on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 28 January at Trentham, and drawn barrier eight in the $70,000 Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m). With visor blinkers on, in a field where her stable-mate Nucleonic, Aim Smart (Smart Missile), and Lady Rossa (Bernardini) look to hold keys to the race, she has an accomplished young rider aboard and the right attributes to prove competitive with luck in running. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $2.85.

3.34 p.m. R6 13 Vinevale (4 m Flying Spur - Eden Valley) - no rider posted; continued her solid form with a strong race when finishing third in the Rating 75 2100 metres on 4 February at Te Rapa, and comes in nicely weighted (53kgs) to contest the $80,000 Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 1800 metres). Drawn barrier four, she should receive an economical trip and has the ability to match most of her rivals. She has impressed winning on Slow7. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $6.50.

3.34 p.m. R6 14 Our Abbadean (4 m Lookin at Lucky - Highland Lights) - Dylan Turner; contested the same race as her stable-mate Beaumarchais (Savabeel), above, at Te Rapa, and did well when running her final 600m in 33.6 to finish fourth. She had finished strongly in the Douro Cup (Rating 85, 1600m) for fourth on 21 January at Trentham, also carries minimum weight (53kgs) in the $80,000 Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 1800 metres) and after coming of age with an impressive win in December she should not be overawed. She has recorded two of her three wins on dead footing. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.00.