Te Akau Taranaki Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing at the twilight meeting on Friday 18 November at New Plymouth.   

As on Thursday 17 November the conditions were: showery and Slow9, rail out 10 metres. Up to 1ml rain forecast race day.

4.37 p.m. R2 10 Lady Jasmine (3 f Darci Brahma - Lady Classique) - Matt Cameron; turned in a good trial performance for second over 850 metres on 22 October at Waipa, and makes her debut in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. Out of mare that won six races up to 1400 metres, the family acts well in a fresh state and a solid effort should ensue providing she appreciates the footing.

5.09 p.m. R3 3 Grazia (4 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Matt Cameron; went close to breaking through in her first campaign and a recent trial win, on Slow9 over 1000 metres at Te Aroha, suggests she has matured nicely with a spell. She produced a solid third on debut over 1400 metres in March at Matamata, and the sister to Brisbane Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Tullamore, and classy mare Shillelagh, should go well fresh up in the Maiden 1400 metres.

5.39 p.m. R4 6 Primrose (3 f Saperavi - Primo Quest) - Matt Cameron; resumed off 179 days with a strong finishing fourth in the Maiden 3YO Fillies 1200 metres at Avondale, and looked as though she would take benefit from the performance. Drawn three in a field of seven and up in distance for the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, she appears a good each way chance in this field.

6.39 p.m. R6 1 Zambezi Warrior (4 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Matt Cameron; had a run best to forget behind Chenille (Pentire) in the $25,000 Rating 85 1600 metres on 22 October at Ellerslie, after resuming with a classy win on Heavy10 in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 18 September at Pukekohe. Second to subsequent Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Provocative (Zabeel) at his only course attempt, he boasts the right credentials to rate a strong chance in the Rating 85 1800 metres.

7.07 p.m. R7 2 Paradise Rock (4 g Fastnet Rock - Apple Charlotte) - Cameron Lammas; dictated terms in front and proved far too good winning the Maiden 1560 metres on 4 November at Rotorua, following two notable performances for sixth and fifth in good fields. Lammas remains aboard and similar front running tactics could test his rivals in the Rating 65 1800 metres.

7.37 p.m. R8 7 Shocking Luck (3 g Shocking - Shamardal Luck) - Cameron Lammas; worked through the line solidly for fourth to winning stable-mate King Kane (Showcasing) in the Maiden 1600 metres on 6 November at Hastings, after finding the line for sixth on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres at Ruakaka. His dam, Shamardal Luck (Shamardal), won over 2100 metres and stepping up in distance looks ideal in the Maiden 1800 metres.

7.37 p.m. R8 12 Maleficent (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Fairy Tipsy) - Matt Cameron; was good through the line when coming from second last in the Maiden 1400 metres on 6 November at Hastings, and after two starts is ready to increase the journey in the Maiden 1800 metres. A half-sister to Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Distill (Volksraad) and Mr Tipsy (Montjeu): placed in the Auckland and Sydney cups, she has trialled well on Slow9 and a more threatening performance could result.

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