Te Akau Sunday North South Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Sunday 23 February: Pukekohe and Ashburton.

Pukekohe:  

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

4:37 p.m. R6 2 Age Of Discovery (3 c Savabeel – Bayrock) – Michael McNab; he suffered a leg injury after winning impressively over 1400 metres earlier in season at Riccarton, and finished strongly for second in trial on 11 February at Ellerslie, with McNab aboard. One time favourite for the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas before that injury sideline, he resumes in the $25,000 3YO 1200 metres. While he is  destined for further and he has copped a tricky gate (8), the blinkers are on and he is looking to commence his new campaign with an encouraging performance. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.30. 

5:45 p.m. R8 16 Lightning Dream (4 m Rip Van Winkle – Alana’s Dream) – Michael McNab; she finished fifth after working to lead in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 27 January at Tauranga, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1500 metres. She capped good form with a strong Maiden win over 1600 metres last season, the blinkers are on, and while she is more than capable of improvement, she too has copped the wrath of the barrier gods and needs plenty of luck from her wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.40. 

Ashburton:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

1:04 p.m. R3 2 Hooray For Harry (3 g Harry Angel – Here We Come) – Lily Sutherland; he was patiently ridden back in the field when running fastest the last 600m (34.3) for second in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres on 5 February at Riccarton, and contests the corresponding event. He has really improved in his last two starts, and rates a top three chance on that basis. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.30.

1:44 p.m. R4 4 Maracatu (3 g Ardrossan – Cortado) – Lily Sutherland; he finished fourth after being handily placed in the $40,000 3YO 1200 metres on 18 January at Wingatui, and contests the corresponding event. He raced well in good fields last season as a two-year-old, and he has the ability to make his presence felt in this field of eight. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.95.

2:24 p.m. R5 5 Fellini (5 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Lily Sutherland; he finished fifth after racing outside the leader when resuming in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 5 February at Riccarton, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. He has finished first and second in his two course attempts to date, and is ideally drawn (2) to have a top three result in this small but select field. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.05.

4:12 p.m. R8 6 Mazzucato (4 m Tivaci – Yellen) – Rohan Mudhoo; she ended her previous campaign following the Rating 75 1600 metres here in December, and resumes without a trial in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Her record includes a win over 1400 metres when racing very well during Cup Week in November at Riccarton, however she is another that has been dealt a wide draw (13) but she will be finding the line strongly - the first of a stable quartet in the event. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.10. 

4:12 p.m. R8 12 Alminette (5 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Samantha Wynne; she was held together while running on well for third in a trial here on 28 January, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. A dual winner over this distance, she has shown the ability to act well when fresh, and is ideally drawn (5) to resume her new campaign with a bold showing. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.35. 

4:12 p.m. R8 13 Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Corey Campbell; she was’t pressured when finishing fourth in a trial here on 28 January, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She sustained a huge finish from the rear to snatch victory in the Rating 65 1400 metres here in October,  and clocks good sectionals. She is another who performs well when in a fish state and is more than capable of a bold performance but yet again, is another who needs things go her way from her wide alley (14). Fixed odds: $5.00 &2.00.

4:12 p.m. R8 16 Bello Mio (5 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Kylie Williams; he gets a start off the ballot, had a quiet trial finishing fourth here on 28 January, and is another resuming in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He won the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 3 November, spelled soon after, and finds the ideal opportunity to commence his new campaign with an encouraging performance. Fixed odds: $19.00 & $4.80.

4:51 p.m. R9 7 Donna Chiara (3 f Belardo – Bellabaci) – Lily Sutherland; she was not pressured running home solidly for fourth in a trial here on 15 January, and resumed with a solid performance for second in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 5 February at Riccarton. One of two stable starters in the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, she was an easy Maiden winner earlier in season, and rates a top three chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.85.

4:51 p.m. R9 10 Ocean Miss (3 f Ocean Park – Runway) – Kylie Williams; she was unable to quicken in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 5 February at Riccarton, and also contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She delivered a top run for third in the Group 3 Wellington Stakes over 1600m after winning over 1400 metres, has commenced her career in good fashion, and meets the opportunity to bounce back from the handy barrier three. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.30.

Main photo - Age of Discovery