Te Akau Taupo Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Monday 17 April at Taupo.

As on race morning the conditions were: drizzling and Dead5, rail true. 5mls rain forecast  Monday.

12.40 p.m. R2 1 Alamosa Express (3 g Alamosa - Danewhisper) - Opie Bosson; made it two wins from two starts when resuming off 114 days in the Rating 65 1200 metres at Avondale. A stylish winner on debut over 1200 metres in November at Pukekohe, he gave indication of a bright future in beating a Saturday quality field on 24 March and although up in class for the $10,000 3YO 1300 metres certainly possesses the ability to handle it. He is a half-brother to stable-mate and six-time winner Hushed (Don Eduardo) and Secret Whisper (Align) who won four races.

1.50 p.m. R2 20 Lady Amadeus (3 f Medaglia D'oro - Rialto Bridge) - Alysha Collett; was collared near the line after leading in the Maiden 1400 metres on 15 March at Matamata, following a brave effort off a wide run to finish third over 1200 metres at Avondale. The trainers have elected to start the dual acceptor in this race after the required scratchings this morning saw her make the field.

3.00 p.m. R6 8 Princess Davone (4 m Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Opie Bosson; has been freshened since a couple of starts on the East Coast circuit in February, where Heavy10 footing proved beyond her capabilities in the Poverty Bay Cup (Rating 85, 1600m). Stakes placed five times as a three-year-old and twice a winner up to 1400 metres since then, she has a solid record on dead ground and can make her presence felt in the $15,000 Rating 75 1300 metres.

3.32 p.m. R7 16 Abloom (3 f Darci Brahma - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; did well from last to finish close up for the minors when fourth on 26 February at Wairoa, having run home strongly for second there three days prior. Off 50 days in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 1300 metres and drawn barrier four, the trainers have elected to start the dual acceptor in this event with the better draw after sufficient scratchings on race morning saw her make the field.

4.05 p.m. R8 9 Fastnet Fire (4 m Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - rider to be advised; closed solidly for third over 1900 metres on the first day at Wairoa, but missed on the same course when backing up three days later and comes into the $10,000 Rating 65 1800 metres off 50 days. She had recorded a win and four thirds in the previous six races before her last start performance, can act fresh but will require luck from barrier sixteen.

4.05 p.m. R8 10 Gardenier (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Miss Montjeu) - Danielle Johnson; has been given time since being unsuited on shifty footing in the $20,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 25 March at Tauranga. Three starts ago she easily won her Maiden over 1400 metres on 9 February at Te Aroha, has blinkers on for this assignment in the $10,000 Rating 65 1800 metres and a top five finish would indicate continued progress in a field strengthened by five runners dropping back in grade.

4.05 p.m. R8 12 Tatters (4 m Tavistock - Rattle) - Michael Coleman; was reported by the rider to have never felt comfortable on Slow8 in the $30,000 Rating 65 1550 metres on 1 April at Awapuni, when race favourite on the strength of a very good effort for second in the $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 18 March at Te Rapa. She is well performed in some strong fields, has a good record with this rider and can get into the finish with luck from barrier twelve in the $10,000 Rating 65 1800 metres.