Te Akau Taupo Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has eight horses entered for the ten race programme on Wednesday 7 October at Taupo.

As on Tuesday 6 October the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail 3 metres 800m to post.

12.10 p.m. R1 1 Skyscraper (4 g Manhattan Rain - Grand Performance) - Cameron Lammas; led and went down narrowly in the Maiden 1800 metres at the last meeting here on 18 September and contests the corresponding event from barrier two. In a similar field, he could justify likely favouritism.

1.20 p.m. R3 4 Lady Pinot (3 f Starspangledbanner - Madame Echezeaux) - Cameron Lammas; contested a competitive pace on the rail and was only just touched off when debuting here over 1000 metres on Aug. 19. Race winner City Boy (Elusive City) has franked the form with a strong second on Saturday at Hastings. Drawn barrier three in the Maiden 3YO 1000 metres appears ideal. She has drawn barrier two in the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1000 metres (bonus $11,500) on Thursday at Tauherenikau, and may take her place there instead.

1.55 p.m. R4 10 It's Our Showtime (3 f Showcasing - Be Inspired) - Matt Cameron; makes her debut from barrier one in the Maiden 3YO 1000 metres. She appears a classy filly, with family members boasting both spring form and an ability to act fresh. However without a trial she will certainly benefit from the experience.

2.30 p.m. R5 7 Our Drahma Queen (4 m Darci Brahma - Queen Cha Cha) - Cameron Lammas; contested a competitive pace and was inconvenienced by the slow ground on debut over 1200 metres at Matamata, and subsequently scratched off similar going on Sunday at Waipa. Drawn barrier three on good footing in the Maiden 1200 metres should enhance her prospects - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

2.30 p.m. R5 10 Rocksun (3 c Fastnet Rock - Beyond the Sunset) - Matt Cameron; makes his debut from barrier four in the Maiden 1200 metres, having displayed good attributes in his trail win over 830 metres on 27 August at Te Teko. He also brings the benefit of a racecourse gallop here on 24 September, 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.

3.40 p.m. R7 3 Star of Greenbeel (5 g Savabeel - Greensleeves) - Matt Cameron; displayed good stretch and fight to win on debut last December over 1200 metres at Rotorua, and given plenty of time since he resumes off 284 days in the Rating 65 1200 metres. He had a racecourse gallop here on 24 September, has the gate speed to negate a wide draw and galloping ability to prove competitive.

4.15 p.m. R8 8 Duchess Kate (3 f Savabeel - Royal Prize) - Cameron Lammas; did very well after a tough run to finish second when resuming over 1200 metres at Matamata, and appears suited stepping to 1300 metres in a Maiden race. She rates a top three chance with a touch of luck from barrier nine.

4.50 p.m. R9 13 Our Abbadean (3 f Lookin at Lucky - Highland Lights) - Matt Cameron; was little inferior to stable-mate and winner Tatters (Tavistock) when resuming with a close fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on Slow8 footing at Te Rapa. Up in grade, Tatters has since followed up with a close second last Friday at Te Rapa. Contesting the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1300 metres (bonus $11,500), she rates a top four chance in this field but will require luck from a wide draw.