Te Akau Tauranga Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Friday 10 December at Tauranga.

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

12.26 p.m. R1 7 Self Obsession  (3 f Shocking - Mawaakib) - Michael McNab; worked up outside the leader before finishing third here on debut in a Maiden 1400 metres on 24 November and steps up in the $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres. She rates a top four chance from barrier seven in a field featuring two stable runners.

12.26 p.m. R1 10 Trieste  (3 f Tivaci - Domani Oro) - Craig Grylls; was good through line again after getting back to last here in a Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 24 November and she also steps up in the $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres. From a handier draw (3) and over the mile distance, she rates a top three prospect.

1.02 p.m. R2 1 Flat Track Bully (4 g Reliable Man - Lime Squeeze) - Craig Grylls; made up plenty from last to finish fifth here in a Maiden 1200 metres on 24 November and contests the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He rates a top three chance from barrier six in a race contested by two stable starters.

1.02 p.m. R2 5 Charmander (3 g Shooting to Win - Moment of Choice) - Danielle Johnson; ran the fastest last 600m (34.5) finishing strongly for third in a Maiden 1100 metres on 19 November at New Plymouth, and also contests the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He's from a versatile family, however he is awkwardly drawn (10) but should go well if appreciative of the course at his first attempt.

2.46 p.m. R5 14 Nossenko  (3 f Savabeel - Vera de Bosset) - Craig Grylls; was without much racing room before finding the line late for fifth when debuting in a Maiden 1215 metres on 16 November at Rotorua, and steps up in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She has first four claims from barrier five.

3.23 p.m. R6 13 Leica Star  (3 f Highly Recommended - Leica Glory) - Danielle Johnson; remained back in a Maiden 1215 metres on 16 November at Rotorua, and steps up in the $15,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She requires luck from the wide draw (12).

3.58 p.m. R7 4 Seajetz (4 g Iffraaj - Bellazeel) - Danielle Johnson; kicked on well for a close fourth after contesting the pace in a Rating 74 1400 metres on 9 November at Te Aroha and looked good working home when trialling on 29 November at Matamata. He contests the $30,000 Rating 74 1400 metres, is ideally drawn (4) and rates a top four prospect in an even field - another event with two stable starters.

3.58 p.m. R7 12 Lightning Field  (5 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); ended his previous campaign with victory in May at Ellerslie, and won second-up when charging home in a Rating 65 1200 metres on 19 November at New Plymouth. Up in grade for the $30,000 Rating 74 1400 metres, he has weight relief to 54.5kgs. He finished second here in April and has the form to race well with right trip from a tricky barrier nine draw.

4.30 p.m. R8 10 Charmaine's Dream  (4 m Charm Spirit - Scatter Cat) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); resumed here with a solid third in a $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, on deteriorating rain-affected going on 13 November, and contests corresponding event. A strong second-up course winner over 1200 metres during Easter, he has weight relief to 54.5kgs, but does require luck from difficult draw (14).