Te Akau Taupo Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Wednesday 21 August at Taupo. 

Taupo:

Weather: fine, track: Soft7, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

1:07 p.m. R3 1 What You Wish For (4 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Tayla Melvin (a4); the first of two stable runners in the third race on the programme, he closed strongly for third in two preparatory trials and resumes in this $17,000 Rating 65 over 1300 metres. He ended his previous campaign following the Group 1 NZ Derby and was an impressive two-year-old winner over 1300 metres the season prior. He placed at this corresponding meeting last year, is stakes' placed, enjoys weight relief to 58.5kg, and is certainly capable of a bold showing but will require luck from a wide draw (16). Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.95.  

1:07 p.m. R3 6 My Lips Are Sealed (4 m Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Opie Bosson; she produced two solid trial performances for fourth and also resumes in the $17,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. Her previous campaign was completed following the Group 2 Wellington Guineas. She resumed with an emphatic victory over 1200 metres on heavy ground last season, was runner up beaten only a nose in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes on Soft7 going, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00. 

1:42 p.m. R4 4 When Stars Align (3 c Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Wiremu Pin; this colt sustained a strong run for second in a trial on 6 August at Te Rapa, and resumes in the $40,000 3YO Colts & Geldings 1100 metres. He capped good trials' form with a impressive debut victory in the 2YO 1100 metres last December at Trentham, the blinkers are on, he's drawn barrier one, and positions as a top three contender fresh up for the first start in his important 3YO season. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $1.45. 

2:52 p.m. R6 2 Trobriand (4 g Kermadec – Arboreal) – Opie Bosson; the first of three starters for the stable in this race, he finished strongly for second and fourth, respectively, in two preparatory trials and resumes in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He was the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes winner over 1200m as two-year-old, and was the consistent against the best of his age as a 3YO. A past winner on soft and heavy ground, he rates a top three chance from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.95. 

2:52 p.m. R6 4 Baronet (5 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Wiremu Pinn; the second runner for the team, he finished fifth after leading the Rating 75 1200 metres on 27 July at Te Rapa, and also contests the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He recorded back-to-back wins when streaking away at his previous start in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 7 July at Tauranga, and all three of his wins have been delivered on heavy footing. While he is racing well, he will need everything to go his way from a very tricky gate (11). Fixed odds: $23.00 & $5.50. 

2:52 p.m. R6 13 Superbly Written (4 m Written Tycoon – Supara) – Craig Grylls; she ended her previous campaign with a big effort to win the Rating 65 1200 metres in February at Riccarton, peaked late on heavy ground when trialling on 6 August at Te Rapa, and likewise resumes in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. She followed her debut third with a win here at the similar time last season, is lightly raced, and is capable of bold showing with luck from barrier 10 - her start will likely be dependent on track conditions. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80. 

4:04 p.m. R8 7 Charmrose (4 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose) – Craig Grylls; she quickened on the inside of runners and gained an advantage to win a trial on 6 August at Te Rapa. A later maturing mare, she debuts in the $17,000 Maiden 1200 metres and has recorded two wins and a second from her four trials. She brings previous course experience to her first raceday outing, and appears capable of a solid first-up performance if she does things right. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.30.