Te Akau Tauranga Friday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing on Friday 15 January at Tauranga.

Weather: fine, track: Dead6, rail: out 9 metres. No rain forecast.

12.12 p.m. R1 1 Sneaky Shark  (2 c Capitalist - Hidden Attraction) - Danielle Johnson; was beaten a long head after duelling with winning stable-mate and race rival Millefiori (Iffraaj) on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 28 November, and brave finishing third after racing outside leader in the 2YO 1100 metres on Boxing Day, both at Ellerslie. Nothing can be taken away from his efforts and he rates a strong each way chance from barrier three in the $22,500 2YO 1200 metres.

12.12 p.m. R1 7 Millefiori  (2 f Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Samantha Collett; recorded a terrific debut victory in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 28 November at Ellerslie, and contests the $22,500 2YO 1200 metres. By a proven international sire, out of a young Savabeel (Zabeel) mare, she is from the family of Winx (Street Cry), and rates a strong each way chance from barrier two.

3.07 p.m. R6 3 Weaponry  (5 g Declaration of War - Cat Shmea) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); found a good spot after beginning awkwardly in a notable effort for fourth on 12 December in the Open 1600 metres at Awapuni, and given time (34 days) he contests the $32,500 Open 1600 metres. A course winner at his only attempt, claiming to 54.5kg, he rates a top three chance.

4.22 p.m. R8 7 Super Sid (4 g Rip Van Winkle - Half Bak) - Danielle Johnson; came from last with a big run for second in the Rating 65 1560 metres on 28 December at Rotorua. Meeting a competitive field in the $22,500 Rating 65 1600 metres, he requires luck from a wide draw (12) and rates a top four chance if appreciative of the course at his first attempt.