Te Akau Taranaki Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Friday 16 February at New Plymouth.

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 10 metres 400m – winning post, remainder out 8 metres. No rain forecast.

3:11 p.m. R4 5 Star In The Sky (4 m Savabeel – Pikari Star) – Warren Kennedy; she travelled three back on the outer and rounded off well over the sprint trip in a trial on 23 January at Taupo, after blowing her chances at the start in the Rating 60 1600 metres on 17 January at Te Rapa. She had closed solidly from last in the Rating 65 1560 metres on 28 December at Rotorua prior, and is presented with the opportunity to show improvement with the blinkers on in the $22,500 Rating 60 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

3:45 p.m. R5 4 Inca Belle (4 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Warren Kennedy; she ran the fastest last 600m (35.2) to claim stable-mate Alminette (Burgundy) in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 12 January at Tauranga, and again the fastest 600m (35.2) for second to subsequent winner Financier (Tavistock) in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 24 January at Matamata. Drawn the ace, she rates a top three chance in the $25,000 Rating 75 1200 metres - one of two in the event for the stable.

3:45 p.m. R5 5 Polly Plum (5 m Xtravagant – Herstory) – Craig Grylls; she produced a notable effort for fourth to stable-mate Stella Splendida (Zoustar) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 30 December at Taupo, before working hard between runners on pace in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 24 January at Matamata. Course/distance placed on debut, she can prove competitive in the $25,000 Rating 75 1200 metres.