Te Akau Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing on Saturday 1 September.

Hastings:

As on race morning the conditions were: fine and Slow7, rail true. No rain forecast.

12.55 p.m. R2 3 Te Akau Shark (4 g Rip Van Winkle - Bak Da Chief) - Shafiq Rusof; has not raced since finishing fourth to stable-mate Embellish (Savabeel) in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), but looked very good in two trial wins when preparing to resume in the $30,000 Rating 82 1200 metres. The winner of two races from three starts, he followed an impressive debut victory over 1100 metres at Te Rapa, coming from last in the fastest final 600m (34.7) on the day, with an equally emphatic effort to win over 1400 metres at Matamata, relishing slow ground on each occasion. He possesses sheer athleticism and should go well. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.70.

3.50 p.m. R7 13 Our Abbadean (6 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights) - Rosie Myers; ended her previous campaign in sensational form, winning the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr. 2, 2000m), Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), second in the Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m), and for a staying mare her trial was fine over 1100 metres ten days ago at Taupo. Fresh-up last season, she charged home for second to nearly claim stable-mate Royal Success (Savabeel) over 1400 metres at Rotorua. Drawn barrier three, she can find the line resolutely if the right gaps appear in the weight-for-age $200,000 Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400 metres). Fixed odds: $76.00 & $14.00.

3.50 p.m. R7 15 Melody Belle (4 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Shafiq Rusof; has trained on pleasingly since resuming with a win in the weight-for-age Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) a fortnight ago at Te Rapa, given Slow9 footing, and contests the weight-for-age $200,000 Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400 metres). Champion Two-Year-Old, she was an easy winner of the Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) in January at Ellerslie, and brings the right form to prove competitive in a very strong field if appreciative of the course at her first attempt. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.95.

Ruakaka:

As on race morning  the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail out 6 metres. 2.5mls rain Friday, fine Saturday.

4.44 p.m. R8 8 King Kane (5 g Showcasing - Vannista Belle) - Danielle Johnson; has trialled well on two occasions, including a strong second to Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle) at Te Rapa, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 72 1200 metres. Comprehensive winning over 1400m and 1600m, he strikes a tough field but ridden quietly he can finish with gusto. Fixed odds $21.00 & $5.50.