Te Akau Taranaki Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses entered for the eight race twilight programme on Wednesday 23 December at New Plymouth. 

As on Tuesday 22 December the conditions were: overcast and Dead4; rail out 2 metres 800m - 400m and remainder true.

5.17 p.m. R4 2 Scandinavian (4 g Dylan Thomas - Blanche Amelia) - Cameron Lammas; has not been in contention going right-handed over 1400m and 1600m this time in and the step up to 1800 metres and a change of direction gives him a chance for redemption.

6.27 p.m. R6 12 Bounteous (3 f Saperavi - La Conga) - Cameron Lammas; makes her debut from barrier one in the Maiden 1400 metres. A good-looking filly that has shown ability at home, she has the gate speed to utilize her draw. Her grand-dam, Bonnie Busker (Grosvenor), was a fresh up winner over 1400 metres early in her career before going on to impress over 2000m and 2100m which could prove the forte of this filly also.

7.07 p.m. R7 8 Red Poppy (3 f Iffraaj - Newgrange) - Cameron Lammas; displayed encouraging attributes when recording a dominant debut win here on Dec. 3 in the Maiden 1100 metres and now contests the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres, where she is eligible for the $11,500 bonus. Despite stepping up in both grade and distance, a similar performance should see a top four chance in this field.

7.47 p.m. R8 6 Babilloni (5 g Cecconi - Babillard) - Cameron Lammas; has produced midfield finishes in each of his four starts since resuming in September and faces an increase in distance from a mile to contest the Rating 65 1800 metres. He found the line at his only course attempt and worked well on Saturday morning.