Te Akau Taranaki Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Thursday 7 December at New Plymouth. 

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy9, rail: out 4 metres 1200m – 400m, remainder out 6 metres. Showers forecast. 

1:37 p.m. R2 17 Mitre Peak (3 f More Than Ready – Liten Prinsessa) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she travelled up nicely and finished well for fourth in a trial on 13 November at Waipa, and debuts in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. Handily drawn (5), she is from a talented mare, the family of Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner Ruud Awakening (Bernardini) and dual Group Two winner Ruud Van Slaats (Van Nistelrooy), but much will depend on her coping with prevailing conditions. 

2:12 p.m. R3 1 Fellini (4 g Belardo – Silke Top) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he circled widest turning for home and finished well to photo-finish for the minors in a trial on 22 November at Taupo, and resumes in the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres. While he carries the top weight 59.5kg, he has won two from four ending his last campaign, including one on heavy. He is also stakes' placed, acts well fresh, and rates a top three chance. 

2:12 p.m. R3 7 Stella Splendida (4 m Zoustar – Scintillula) – Craig Grylls; she raced clear to win impressively when trialling on 31 October at Te Rapa, before remaining back in the Rating 75 1000 metres on 12 November at Tauherenikau. Contesting the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres, she has been an impressive dual winner over 1200 metres on soft ground and this looks a good opportunity to bounce back as top three chance.