Te Akau Sunday NI-SI NZ Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Sunday 20 October: Waverley, and Ashburton.   

Waverley: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 3 metres winning post to 1200m, out 4 metres 1200m to 320m, remainder true. No rain forecast. 

1:00 p.m. R2 6 Class (3 g Embellish – Opulent) – Lily Sutherland (a1); he began quickly from barrier one to lead then trail, travelled well nearing home turn, and sustained a solid effort for fourth in a trial on 8 October at Matamata. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, he is the half-brother to stable-mates Luxuriant (Iffraaj), the winner of four, and is also winning brother to Plenty O’Style. The 3YO himself is from the beautifully bred Keeper (Danehill) mare Opulent that Te Akau trained to win three races and finish fifth at Group Three level. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.

4:21 p.m. R7 4 Mehzebeen (5 m Almanzor – Salkantay) – Lily Sutherland (a1); she ran on from the rear without threatening after the drawing outside (12) gate in the Open Handicap 2000 metres on 2 October at Matamata, and contests the $50,000 Steelformers Waverley Cup (Open Handicap, 2200 metres). Runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks 2400m as three-year-old, she was a dual winner to 2200 metres last season, including victory in the Taupo Cup. For today's assignment she is ideally drawn (1) and weighted (54.5kg) to prove competitive. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.35.

Ashburton: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

4:37 p.m. R7 2 El Viento (4 g El Roca – Mandeville) – Ashvin Goindasamy; he got back before overcoming adversity near the rail to powerfully win the Rating 75 1600 metres on 28 September at Riccarton, and remains in same grade – up 2.5kg to carry 58.5kg – for the $18,500 Rating 75 1600 metres. Prior to winning, he picked up strongly to win a trial here on 17 September, and while he is likely to get back from the frustrating outside gate (12), look to see him rounding off as a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.30.