Te Akau Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Saturday 18 November: Tauranga, and Riccarton.

Tauranga:

As on race day the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 3 metres. Showers forecast Saturday afternoon.

4.04 p.m. R7 2 Splurge (5 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Michael McNab; found the line late for third here a fortnight ago in the Open 1300 metres, although hindered slightly by rain-affected footing it was a more encouraging performance. He appears to be looking for more ground and stepping up in the $35,000 Open 1400 metres looks a nice progression. Drawn five, he has to carry his share of weight (59.5kgs) but has a class factor. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.30.

4.04 p.m. R7 6 Royal Success (5 g Savabeel - Royal Show) - Samantha Collett; extended his winning record to five from 10 starts with a tough effort in the Rating 85 1400 metres on 21 October at Rotorua, and faces this grade for the first time in the $35,000 Open 1400 metres. A highly talented galloper, he will give his opponents plenty of competition. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.35.

Riccarton:

As on race day the conditions were: overcast and Good3, rail out 2 metres 1100m - 700m, remainder true. No rain forecast.

2.00 p.m. R6 1 Al Hasa (2 c Exceed and Excel - Oasis Rose) - Opie Bosson; was scratched last Saturday at Te Rapa, in preference for the $50,000 Barneswood Farm Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m). He did a few things wrong before settling into the race and rounding off solidly for second on debut in the 2YO 880 metres on 28 October at Ellerslie, and with side winkers on, from barrier three, he gives Te Akau a strong chance of recording their fifth win in the race. Fixed odds: $1.55 & $1.05.

3.10 p.m. R8 7 Swing Note (3 f Encosta De Lago - Andallthatjazz) - Opie Bosson; coursed wide into the straight and closed the margin solidly for third to subsequent 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) placed Ever Loyal (Sebring) in the Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m) on 28 October, having broken through for a deserved and polished win on 7 October in the Maiden 1400 metres, both here at Riccarton. A filly that has kept improving, she is ideally drawn (7) in quest of netting Te Akau their fifth success in the $300,000 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.15.

3.45 p.m. R9 11 Lady Amadeus (4 m Medaglia D'oro - Rialto Bridge) - Opie Bosson; won in no uncertain terms when fresh-up in the Maiden 1200 metres on 13 October at Timaru, and followed with an unlucky fourth here Rating 65 1200 metres on 28 October. Ideally drawn (7) in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, she certainly rates an each way chance on the strength of her two performances this time in.

4.20 p.m. R10 10 Imperium (6 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Matt Cameron; raced handily and ran out a very good second here last Saturday in the Metropolitan Trophy Handicap (Listed, 2500m), a race he finished third in to Nymph Monte (Tavistock) last year before filling the same position in the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m). In the 154th running of the $250,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) he gets his chance to emulate his Melbourne Cup winning dam, Ethereal, as a winner over the testing two mile journey. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.60.

5.35 p.m. R12 18 Tiffany's Time (4 m Alamosa - Tinsel Time) - Matt Cameron; continued her good form when finishing fourth to Sensei (Dream Ahead) in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 5 November at Motukarara, with Cameron aboard, after mounting a big finish to win very well here on 7 October in the Rating 65 1400 metres. Drawn barrier 11 in a capacity field for the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, she meets some talented rivals but has the ability with luck in running to match them. $12.00 & $4.00.