Te Akau Taupo Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses entered for the ten race programme on Wednesday 19 August at Taupo.

As on Tuesday 18 August the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail true.

11.57 a.m. R2 10 Risque (3 f Darci Brahma - So Explicit) - Matt Cameron; resumes off 103 days from barrier four in the Maiden 1000 metres, after crossing the line with her ears pricked for a close second in a 830-metre trial on Aug. 4 at Te Teko. She finished second to High Class (Shocking) in her only start as a two-year-old and has both the speed on her dam-side and class to pose a genuine threat - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

11.57 a.m. R2 12 Lady Pinot (3 f Starspangledbanner - Madame Echezeaux) - Cameron Lammas; makes her debut from barrier three, having finished on terms in front over 830 metres in her trial at Te Teko. A similar effort from the handy draw should see her produce a solid first up performance.

12.32 p.m. R3 4 Flaming (4 m Bachelor Duke - Flying Firebird) - Matt Cameron; trialled up nicely against open grade horses over 1020 metres at Te Teko, and resumes off 137 days from the barrier three in the Rating 65 1000 metres. She has shown to act fresh, finishing second in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) when resuming last September, and won impressively over 1200 metres.

1:07 p.m. R4 12 Love Actually (3 f Swiss Ace - Just Platonic) - Matt Cameron; resumes off 236 days from barrier seven in the Maiden 1200 metres, having travelled on the bridle for second when trialling over 830 metres at Te Teko. She does possess talent and a bold performance would not surprise.

1.42 p.m. R5 6 Beacon of Hope (3 g Fastnet Rock - Randaroo) - Michael McNab; makes his debut from barrier four in the Maiden 1200 metres, having displayed good attributes in his trail win over 830 metres at Te Teko. He strips in lovely order and has plenty of quality about him to prove competitive over a sprint trip - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

1.42 p.m. R5 13 Thetruthisoutthere (3 f Starcraft - Absolute Faith) - Matt Cameron; trialled with plenty of purpose for second over 830 metres at Te Teko, and makes her debut from barrier one. Her dam won over 1200 and 1400 metres before proving competitive in quality staying races for three-year-old fillies in Australia, and the ace draw should enhance her prospects.

2.17 p.m. R6 3 Special Memories (3 f Fastnet Rock - Memories of You) - Matt Cameron; resumes off 179 days from barrier three in the 3YO Fillies 1100 metres, having been nicely held together at the line for second when trialling over 1020 metres at Te Teko. She displayed gate speed and a good way of going to win the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on Jan. 30 at New Plymouth, and presents in the right order for this fresh up assignment.

3.27 p.m. R8 12 Rocksun (3 c Fastnet Rock - Beyond the Sunset) - Matt Cameron; made up a lot of ground under his own steam for second when trialling over 1020 metres at Te Teko, and the extra distance will assist. He should receive an economical trip from barrier three in the Maiden 1300 metres and a family ability to act fresh could see him run a top race.

4.02 p.m. R8 12 Amperage (3 c Zabeel - Miss Zapper) - Matt Cameron; makes his debut from barrier six in the Maiden 1300 metres. He has done nothing but improve since his sound trial for third over 1200 metres at Te Teko, and while destined for more ground he has shown enough to get amongst it over the shorter in a fresh state.