Te Akau Taupo Friday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has twelve horses racing on Friday 20 September at Taupo.

Weather: overcast, track: Dead4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

11.57 a.m. R1 4 Luminous  (4 m Reliable Man - Keenly) - Opie Bosson; displayed terrific potential through her first campaign with two seconds and a third in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) from three starts, and resumed here on 21 August with a big run from last to finish second in the Maiden 1300 metres. She will be a commanding favourite in the $10,000 Maiden 1800 metres. 

12.32 p.m. R2 2 Leaderboard (4 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Opie Bosson; was a strong winner over 2400 metres last October in Ireland, and following solid trials for second and third, respectively, he resumes in the $10,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. By the sire of Winx, he could run a cheeky race fresh-up from barrier one before stepping up.

1.42 p.m. R4 3 Hierarchy  (4 g Burgundy - Silvara) - Opie Bosson; debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres after winning the second of two trials on 27 August at Te Teko. The prospect of good footing should assist his chances but he requires luck from an awkward draw (10). 

2.17 p.m. R5 4 Excitonic  (3 g Savabeel - Bint Piavonic) - Opie Bosson; debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1300 metres, following two preparatory trials. From an unraced mare, grand-dam Piavonic (Scenic) won nine times and defeated Sunline (Desert Sun) and Falvelon (Alannon) in the Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). He has the pace to utilize barrier four and should appreciate decent footing. 

2.17 p.m. R5 7 Rhapsody in Blue  (3 f Medaglia d'Oro - Kablues) - Michael McNab; ran a courageous second when debuting on Heavy11 in June at Trentham, and fought solidly for fourth when resuming on Heavy10 in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 28 August at Matamata. Better footing should aid her cause and she is ideally drawn (3) in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1300 metres.

2.52 p.m. R6 1 Don'tblamethemusic  (6 g Coats Choice - Blame the Music) - Chelsea Burdan (a3); won the corresponding $15,000 Rating 72 1300 metres at this meeting last year, having resumed here a month prior with a win over 1200 metres. Resuming with two trials under his belt, he meets quite a smart field but receives weight relief to 59.5kgs and unbeaten in two starts on the course.

2.52 p.m. R6 8 Prise De Fer  (4 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; raced well in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic, Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), and spelled after the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) in March. He fashioned a good record at three, destined for staying trips, but has the quality to resume with a cheeky run in the $15,000 Rating 72 1300 metres. 

2.52 p.m. R6 15 Queen of the Air  (4 m I Am Invincible - Flying Single) - Michael McNab; had little go her way when resuming in the Rating 72 1200 metres on 6 September at Te Rapa, having trialled well for second to fresh-up winner Vigor Winner (Declaration of War). She has the ability to produce a much improved performance in the $15,000 Rating 72 1300 metres.

3.27 p.m. R7 5 Blitzabeel  (3 f Savabeel - Cape Mapperley) - Michael McNab; got back off a wide gate and subject to buffeting before finishing fifth when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 6 September at Te Rapa. She finished a close third to subsequent stakes placed filly Ramazzotti (Per Incanto) in April at Pukekohe, and rates a top four chance from barrier four in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1300 metres.

4.02 p.m. R8 8 Burgundy Rose (3 f Burgundy - Paraiba) - Matt Cameron; debuted with a very good second in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 15 May at Ruakaka, and showed she was on song to resume in the $10,000 Maiden 1100 metres following a top trial for second on 27 August at Te Teko. 

4.02 p.m. R8 11 Lilikoi (3 f Charm Spirit - Barbadine) - Michael McNab; was impressive winning a trial before racing and notable in the second of two starts as a two-year-old when finishing strongly for a close fourth over 1200 metres in May at Matamata. Her trial was cosy on 20 August at Te Rapa, and she has the natural talent to race well fresh-up despite drawing wide (14) in the $10,000 Maiden 1100 metres.

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