Te Akau Taupo Friday Preview

Date: 30 Dec 2022

Te Akau Taupo Friday Preview

 

Te Akau Racing has 17 horses entered on Friday 30 December at Taupo.

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12:08 p.m. R1 14 Mehzebeen (3 f Almanzor - Salkantay) - Craig Grylls; she pushed up in midfield at the 600m and rallied for fifth when debuting in the Maiden 1600 metres on 23 December at Matamata, and steps up in the $14,000 Maiden 1800 metres. She possesses the pedigree to suit extra distance, the blinkers and tongue tie are on, and she receives chance to improve further with a decent trip from barrier 10.

12:39 p.m. R2 7 Richard Stomper (3 g El Roca - Optimiser) - Sam Weatherley; he began well to lead, had company throughout and responded well for a close second in a trial on 12 December at Avondale. Debuting in the $14,000 Maiden 1300 metres, he requires a ton of luck from his awkward draw (10).

12:39 p.m. R2 8 Patriarca (4 m Savabeel - Baby Shacks) - Opie Bosson; she raced well off a wide trip for second when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres here in September. She finished back on downgrading Heavy9 footing when resuming in the Maiden 1400 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, and is capable of an improved performance in the $14,000 Maiden 1300 metres.

12:39 p.m. R2 14 Varuni (3 f Darci Brahma - Inniskillen) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she did her best work late in a 1150-metre trial on 6 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 1300 metres. From family of NZB Filly of the Year Insouciant (Keeper), trained by Mark Walker, she is aided in her debut quest by a handy draw (2).

1:11 p.m. R3 2 Ready to Drink (4 g Burgundy - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; he produced a brave effort for fourth when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 19 October at Tauranga, and was held up at a key point before finishing well for fifth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 December at Hastings. He is going well and is drawn to advantage (5) in the $14,000 Maiden 1300 metres.

1:11 p.m. R3 6 Primo Vino (3 g Savabeel - Vinorules) - Ryan Elliot; he was doing his best work late in a trial on 29 November at Avondale, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 1300 metres. He faces an ideal first-up assignment, and is from a talented family but is likely destined for further.

1:11 p.m. R3 13 Too Classy (3 f Puccini - Classy Choice) - Jake Bayliss; she made great inroads over the final furlong to grab second in a trial on 29 November at Avondale, and is another on debut in the $14,000 Maiden 1300 metres. She is ideally drawn (3) and an emulation of her trial effort would see her finishing competitively.

1:46 p.m. R4 6 Baronet (3 g Contributer - Alpha Dame) - Craig Grylls; he worked from the outside gate to get handy and fought hard for fifth when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 17 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $14,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. He recorded a promising debut victory over 1200 metres in September at Matamata, and a rates top three prospect with a decent trip from barrier 10.

1:46 p.m. R4 10 Florencenightngale (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Reigning Dynasty) - Jake Bayliss; she was caught very wide throughout, facing tough weather conditions, when resuming in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 10 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $14,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. She came clear to win easily on debut over 1230 metres in April at Rotorua, and is certainly capable of an improved performance.

2:24 p.m. R5 11 Firriato (3 f Almanzor - Deliciano) - Michael McNab; she sighted daylight at the 200m, hitting the line solidly for second in trial on 6 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 1100 metres. Handily drawn (3), her dam Deliciano (Darci Brahma) won six races from 1800m - 2100m, and look for her finding the line strongly.

2:24 p.m. R5 12 Puzzle Solved (3 f Rubick - Sandownboulevard) - Craig Grylls; she kept running on in a trial on 29 November at Avondale, and also debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 1100 metres. Te Akau knows the family well, with Mark Walker having trained NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Arlingtonboulevard (Spinning World), and this race is an ideal starting point for the filly.

2:59 p.m. R6 3 Lightning Field (6 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Jonathan Riddell; he did well after missing the start when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 7 December at Hastings, and contests the $14,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. The winner of four races, he is a competitive galloper, he is capable of a bold showing.

2:59 p.m. R6 4 Zeitaku (4 g Savabeel - Miss Opulence) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he sprinted home for a fresh-up victory in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo, has spelled since and rounded off solidly for second in a trial on 12 December at Avondale in preparation. Resuming in the $14,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, he has unfortunately drawn wide (11) but look for him to be hitting the line strongly.

2:59 p.m. R6 6 Hero Worship (4 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Sam Weatherley; he remained back but still earned a pass mark in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 17 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $14,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He has ability, tries hard and has the credentials to deliver a bold showing if appreciative of course at his first attempt.

2:59 p.m. R6 10 Kai (4 m Ocean Park - Brilliant Blush) - Michael McNab; she was a clear-cut winner in the Rating 65 1230 metres on 30 November at Rotorua, and steps up in the $14,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Very consistent, she came of age with two wins this season and is well capable of continuing the trend.

3:39 p.m. R7 8 Puketiro (3 f Savabeel - Matakana) - Michael McNab; she was held up before quickening to grab the win in a trial on 29 November at Avondale, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. From a good family, she is destined for further, but is handily drawn (5) and rates a top three chance.

3:39 p.m. R7 13 Rightly So (3 f El Roca - So It Begins) - Craig Grylls; she quickened home well for a close fourth in a trial on 6 December at Waipa, and also makes her debut in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. She did well in both trials and receives nice first-up opportunity from barrier three to make an impact.

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