Te Akau Taupo Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has two horses entered on Friday 20 September at Taupo. 

Taupo: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft7, rail: out 2.5 metres. 7mls rain forecast Thursday and 25mls Friday. 

3:27 p.m. R7 1 Egyptian Queen (4 m Zoustar – Hieroglyphics) – Ngakau Hailey (a3); she began smartly from a wide gate to lead and quickened well on Heavy10 going to win when trialling on 6 August at Te Rapa. Resuming in the $18,500 Rating 65 1100 metres, she placed in both Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1340m) and Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) last season, attracts weight relief to 57kg, has speed and rates a top three chance despite drawing wide (11) - one of two lining up in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.85. 

3:27 p.m. R7 9 Merlotti (5 g Burgundy – Ruppertsberg) – Vinnie Colgan; he ran on well from last to finish third in the Rating 60 1050 metres on 13 September at Matamata, and also contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1100 metres. A dual winner over 1200 metres on soft and heavy ground, he has drawn ideally (2) in what shapes as an even field. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.90.