Te Akau Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing at two venues on Saturday January 23.

Trentham:

As on Friday January 22 the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail out 3 metres. There is no rain forecast.

1.43 p.m. R3 3 Windborne (3 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Matt Cameron; resumes off 77 days in the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres and has a terrific fresh up record. A dual stakes winner, over 1100m and 1200m, she worked beautifully during an exhibition gallop last Friday at Matamata, has developed considerably, and should prove a strong each way chance.

2.53 p.m. R5 7 Astrid (4 m Pins - Astralita) - Matt Cameron; remains in the same grade, but up 3kg in weight, after displaying resilience to win the Rating 75 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Awapuni. Beautifully drawn in barrier four for the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, she meets a strong field, as expected at this meeting, but possesses the right attributes to be right amongst it.

Gore:

As on Friday January 22 the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail true. There is 1ml of rain forecast on race day.

4.21 p.m. R9 9 Princess Davone (3 f Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Cameron Lammas; resumes off 70 days in the $50,000 Gore Guineas (Listed, 1335m), after a lovely trial for third to Tavago (Tavistock) on January 12 at Cambridge. She has already performed very well down south: all but winning the $50,000 John Grigg Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Oct. 17 at Ashburton, after finishing third to stable-mate Windborne (Darci Brahma) in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Riccarton. She is reported to be bright and rates a top three chance from barrier six.

5.35 p.m. R11 3 Sir Darci (5 g Darci Brahma - Dominant) - Cameron Lammas; drops back in grade and distance to contest the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres. Freshened for the assignment, he is a talented galloper at best, should have the measure of most in this field, and a bold performance is expected.