Te Akau Stratford Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing on Sunday 31 December at Stratford.

As on race morning the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail true. No rain forecast.

2.15 p.m. R3 2 Beaumarchais (4 g Savabeel - Almaviva) - Alysha Collett; got back and without room in the straight still ran a respectable last 600m (34.5) in the Rating 85 1400 metres on 25 November at Pukekohe, won by Love Affair (Savabeel). Prior to, he ran home solidly in the Thompson Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 28 October at Trentham. With the addition of visor blinkers in the $11,000 Rating 85 1480 metres, he has both the form and talent to threaten.

2.15 p.m. R3 3 Astrid (6 m Pins - Astralita) - Tegan Newman (a3); freshened since a notable fourth to subsequent Timaru Cup (Listed, 1600m) winner Kolonel Kev (Darci Brahma) in the Rating 85 1400 metres on 2000 Guineas Day at Ricccarton, she contests the $11,000 Rating 85 1480 metres. Drawn (4) to receive an economical trip, with weight relief to 52.5kgs, she can prove a force.

2.50 p.m. R4 3 Coup Bradman (3 g Darci Brahma - Bosphorus) - Alysha Collett; kept up a strong gallop when trialling on 28 November at Matamata, and resumes off 100 days in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He has been consistent at the trials, including a strong second to stable-mate and Champion Two-Year-Old Melody Belle (Commands). Ideally drawn in barrier two, he appears capable of good performance.

5.15 p.m. R8 4 Beau Geste (3 g Pour Moi - Villa Wanda) - Alysha Collett; ran on late from the rear on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 14 December at Hastings, having galloped home strongly for third when trialling on 28 November at Matamata. Ideally drawn (3) in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres, with visor blinkers on, the half-brother to Champion galloper Wall Street (Montjeu) could loom as an each way chance in this field.