Te Akau Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has two horses racing at two venues on Saturday 8 April: Te Rapa, and Royal Randwick.

Racing Te Aroha at Te Rapa:

As on Friday 7 April the conditions were: fine and Slow7, rail out 8 metres. No rain forecast.

1.23 p.m. R3 1 Our Abbadean (4 m Lookin at Lucky - Highland Lights) - Opie Bosson; came from three back on the inner with a solid finish for fourth in the $70,000 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 18 March at Trentham, continuing her fine form after a strong finish for second in the Rating 75 2000 metres on 25 February at Matamata. Highest rated (73) and drawn barrier two in the $25,000 Rating 75 2200 metres, her three starts on the course have rendered a second and two fourths. Her dam sire, Fantastic Light (Rahy), left horses that continued to improve with time, up to 2400m, and while better footing would help her chances she has the right action and form to rate top three.
Royal Randwick, Sydney:

As on Friday 7 April the conditions were: fine and Heavy8, rail out 4 metres 1600m to winning post, 3 metres the remainder. No rain forecast.

5.55 p.m. (NZ time) R8 6 Chance to Dance (7 g Teofilo - Crystal Ballet) - Damian Lane; was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis at the Inglis Chairman's Sale just over a week ago in Sydney, and takes his place in the $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m). Very consistent through this campaign; no further back than fourth in six starts, and a winner over 2400 metres two starts ago at Caulfield, he made ground for fourth under 58kgs last start in the Adelaide Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) and drops to 53kgs for Damian Lane who rode the Derby winner on this course last Saturday. Co-trainer Jamie Richards has been pleased with his action in training through the week and given his ability to go the distance he appears a top four chance again. Fixed odds: $19.00.