Te Akau Taupo Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Wednesday 22 May at Taupo. 

Taupo:

Weather: raining, track: Heavy9, rail: true. 4mls rain forecast Tuesday, 2mls Wednesday. 

12:00 p.m. R3 7 The Sky Above (3 f American Pharoah – Blue Blue Sky) – Warren Kennedy; she delivered  a strong finish from midfield in the fastest last 600m (36.6) for third in the Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres on 8 May at Matamata, and contests the $20,000 Maiden 3YO 1750 metres. Fourth here on debut, she has finished third on Heavy9 going, is racing solidly, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65.  

1:07 p.m. R5 9 Baronet (4 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Tayla Melvin (a4); he ran a game second after leading in the Rating 60 1400 metres on 8 May at Matamata, and contests the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Racing in good form, he has been a winner over 1200 metres under heavy conditions, enjoys weight relief to 53.5kg, and is a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.15. 

1:42 p.m. R6 5 Brazen Affair (2 f Brazen Beau – Southern Romance) – Wiremu Pinn; she drew out to win stylishly when trialling on 30 April at Waipa, and was only claimed late after leading to finish third when debuting in the Maiden 2YO 970 metres last Wednesday at Cambridge (poly track). She is by the same sire as Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winning former stable-mate On The Bubbles, who handled give in ground, but does require luck from her wide gate (12) in the $20,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.70. 

2:17 p.m. R7 1 Bella Voce (3 f Fastnet Rock – Keep On Singing) – Opie Bosson; she came out of midfield with a staunch finish for second when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 8 May at Matamata, and contests the $20,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1300 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). There are some unknown factors, for example she is yet to race on heavy ground, and she is another who will need a good dose of luck from her carpark draw (17). She does have the right man in the saddle for that, and has trial experience on course - one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.50. 

2:17 p.m. R7 10 Not Straight Laced (3 f Turn Me Loose – Clos De Tart) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she ran home well down the outside in a trial on 30 April at Waipa, and resumes in the $20,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1300 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). From a family that handles give in ground, she seems capable of a bold effort with will need things to go her way from wide alley (12). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00. 

2:54 p.m. R8 6 Akenehi (3 f Fastnet Rock – Igraine) – Opie Bosson; she sustained a strong gallop to finish second in a trial on 30 April at Waipa, and closed from back in the field for fourth when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 8 May at Matamata. Placed in three of four starts during her first campaign, her dam impressed winning on soft ground. The filly trialled well here as two-year-old, and rates a top three chance from barrier five in the $20,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.10 & $1.50.