Te Akau Taranaki Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses entered for the eight race programme on Thursday 3 December at New Plymouth.

As on Wednesday 2 December the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4; rail out 10 metres.

1.40 p.m. R1 10 Red Poppy (3 f Iffraaj - Newgrange) - Matt Cameron; has come on in fitness for a recent trial at Cambridge, and now makes her debut in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. She is also an acceptor in the 2.15 p.m. Race 2 Maiden 1100 metres. A big filly, she will benefit from both experience and stepping over more ground and a top five finish would be encouraging.

3.25 p.m. R4 1 Point Percy (4 g Sir Percy - Bankonher) - Matt Cameron; resumes off 229 days, following two preparatory trials, in the Rating 65 1200 metres. He came from off the pace to win on debut over 1200 metres in March at Matamata, and with the application of blinkers he should give a good account in a fresh state.

4.00 p.m. R5 13 Spritz (3 f Thorn Park - Spray) - Matt Cameron; has continued to train well since finishing sixth here on Nov. 20 in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, after being squeezed out early and making ground late on debut over 1200 metres at Te Aroha. In the Maiden 1400 metres, she should be running home strongly if able to secure an economical trip from barrier ten.

4.35 p.m. R6 5 Our Drahma Queen (4 m Darci Brahma - Queen Cha Cha) - Matt Cameron; broke through here thirteen days ago when leading throughout in the Maiden 1400 metres, with this rider aboard, and now steps up in grade for the Rating 65 1400 metres. Adhering to the same go-forward tactics, she could produce another bold performance to rate a top four chance - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

4.35 p.m. R6 8 Maestro (5 g Encosta De Lago - Miss Scarlatti) - Michael McNab; trialled very well in preparation to resume off 183 days in the Rating 65 1400 metres. A winner over the trip, who acts fresh, he has the ability to produce a bold performance before stepping over more ground.

5.10 p.m. R7 6 Echezeaux (4 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - Matt Cameron; turned in a much improved performance for third over 1400 metres at Hastings, and the step to a mile should be ideal. She has drawn ideally in barrier two and rates a top three chance with luck in running.

5.45 p.m. R8 2 Bordeaux (4 g High Chaparral - Our Echezeaux) - Matt Cameron; led them up and found a good kick to win over a mile when resuming at Hastings, and has trained well since. Up in both grade and distance to contest the Rating 65 1800 metres, he would likely take up a forward position and has gained the confidence to go well again.