Te Akau Saturday Riccarton Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Saturday 16 September at Riccarton. 

Weather: fine, track: Good3, rail: out 7 metres. No rain forecast.

12:15 p.m. R2 12 Star Of Justice (3 f Justify – Fair Isle) – Warren Kennedy; she was unable to quicken on Heavy10 when debuting in the 3YO 1100 metres on 26 August at Awapuni, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres. With blinkers on, she strikes better footing and receives the opportunity to improve. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.40. 

12:50 p.m. R3 13 Tavernia (4 m Mongolian Khan – Chaparella) – Warren Kennedy; she was posted three wide but lengthened to grab second in a trial on 29 August at Waipa, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She recorded a strong win on debut last season over 1230 metres at Rotorua, and wasn't not far away in the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). She appears destined for further but is capable of a bold showing fresh-up. Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.35.

2:04 p.m. R5 1 The Mighty Spar (6 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Ngakau Hailey (a4); he finished third in the Hawkes Bay Hurdles (3100m) on 1 July at Hastings, was freshened, and found the line for fourth behind winning stable-mate and race rival Prismatic (Savabeel) in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 27 August at Matamata. With weight relief to 56kg in the $40,000 Rating 75 2000 metres, he has a strong distance record, and looks a top three prospect - the first of a stable duo lining up in the event. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

2:04 p.m. R5 5 Prismatic (5 g Savabeel – Kaleidoscope) – Warren Kennedy; he ran the equal fastest last 600m (35.7) on the day when winning the Rating 75 1600 metres on 27 August at Matamata, and remains in the same grade but does rise in the weights (58kg) for the $40,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. Any emulation of his previous effort would rate him a top three proposition. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.40.

3:08 p.m. R7 4 Challa (7 g Dissident – Are There Any) – Ngakau Hailey (a4); he followed a trial win by running the fastest last 600m (32.9) on the day to win the Open 1000 metres here on 2 September, and contests the $50,000 Open 1200 metres. He enjoys weight relief to 55.5kg, possesses good course/distance stats, and presents as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.60.

3:43 p.m. R8 2 Viva Vienna (3 f All Too Hard – Anna of Austria) – Sam Weatherley; she resumed with a defiant victory in the 3YO 1000 metres here on 2 September, also with Weatherley aboard, and steps up in the $80,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m). The winner of three from six, she rates a top three chance from barrier one - one of two Te Akau fillies contesting the feature. Fixed odds: $1.90 & $1.20.

3:43 p.m. R8 4 Rhetorical (3 f Snitzel – Xpression) – Warren Kennedy; she resumed with a good effort for third to stable-mate Viva Vienna (above) when resuming in the 3YO 1000 metres here on 2 September, and contests the $80,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m). She campaigned here last season, winning twice and finished third in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) during Cup Week, and also brings first three dividend prospects to the contest from barrier three. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.20.

4:22 p.m. R9 1 Mehzebeen (4 m Almanzor – Salkantay) – Ngakau Hailey (a4); she came from last and found the line nicely when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 2 September. She scored comfortably over 2200 metres before producing a terrific effort for second in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) last season,. She is suited by stepping up in distance in the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, has weight relief to 56.5kg, and should race well with any luck from her awkward, wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.