Te Akau Taranaki Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing at the twilight meeting on Friday 10 February at New Plymouth.

As on Thursday 9 February the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail out 9 metres. No rain forecast.

4.00 p.m. R2 8 Madam Monica (3 f Mastercraftsman - Lynisky) - Michael McNab; lines up off 40 days since contesting the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, having missed winning by a nose prior in the Maiden 3YO 1600 metres on 9 December at Tauranga. Drawn wide in the Maiden 3YO 1800 metres, she has the right form to be competitive in this field with luck in running.

6.54 p.m. R7 2 Spritz (4 m Thorn Park - Spray) - Cameron Lammas; received no room in the straight when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 12 January at Wanganui, after trialling well behind stable-mate Xtravagant (Pentire) on 13 December at Te Aroha. Drawn barrier seven in the $12,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Pearl Series Rating 65 for fillies and mares, and eligible for the $11,500 bonus, she scored her Maiden win in a Pearl Series race over a mile and rates an each way chance in an even field with blinkers on.

6.54 p.m. R7 3 Tiffany's Time (3 f Alamosa - Tinsel Time) - Michael McNab; recorded an indifferent performance fresh-up in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 1400 metres on 13 January at Matamata, and takes her place in the corresponding event where she is eligible for the $11,500 bonus. She drew clear to win her Maiden over this distance in October at Avondale, beating stable-mate Madam Monica, above, and certainly capable of a much improved effort with blinkers and a tongue tie on.

7.28 p.m. R8 9 Grazia (4 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Michael McNab; broke through with a big win over a mile on 12 January at Wanganui, defeating subsequent impressive Trentham winner Dream Dancer (Rip Van Winkle). Up in grade and distance in the Rating 65 1800 metres, she came from last to finish fifth at her previous start here on 24 December. Barrier two ensures an economical trip and emulation of her last start effort can see her measure up.

7.28 p.m. R8 11 Pure Savalina (3 f Savabeel - Catalina) - Cameron Lammas; won under a great ride by Opie Bosson (suspended until Feb. 23) on 13 January over a mile at Matamata, following two solid fifths, and she steps in grade and distance for the Rating 65 1800 metres. Made awkward from a wide draw, she will be reliant on a genuine pace and drag into proceedings.