Te Akau Tauranga Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Wednesday 16 February at Tauranga (twilight meeting).

Weather: fine, track: Slow9, rail: out 7 metres. No rain forecast.

2:45 p.m. R1 2 Espionage (3 g Savabeel - Bayrock) - Opie Bosson; freshened and gelded following two encouraging performances, he ran home solidly for second when trialling on 1 February at Cambridge (poly-track). If appreciative of the footing, he has the credentials to race well with a decent trip from barrier nine in the  $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres - the first of a stable duo in the event.

2:45 p.m. R1 6 Kai (3 f Ocean Park - Brilliant Blush) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); converted her trial form with a big effort for second (fastest 600m on the day: 36.3) when debuting here on Slow8 in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 20 October, and has been freshened following a notable fourth in a Maiden 1400 metres on 9 November at Te Aroha. She was not extended when winning a trial on 1 February at Cambridge (poly-track), enjoys weight relief to 53.5kg, and she rates a top three chance with any luck from the tricky, wide draw (12) in the $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres.

3:20 p.m. R2 10 I'm Not Bossy (3 f Jimmy Choux - Keffiya) - Opie Bosson; trialled well (first and third) at Cambridge (poly-track), and resumes in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Out of a Cape Cross (Green Desert) mare, the winner four times at 1600 metres, she is from the family of Te Akau trained Champion Two-Year-Old and triple Group 1 winner Maroofity (Maroof). Her pedigree suggests the prospect of handling give in the track and she has drawn ace - the first of two in the race for the stable.

3:20 p.m. R2 13 Belle of the Ball (3 f Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); was clear late for third when trialling on 28 January at Ellerslie, and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Dam Lady Tatia (Duke of Marmalade) won twice to 1850 metres and finished third in the Moonee Valley Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m). She has weight relief to 54kg, and shapes to race well from barrier seven.

5:02 p.m. R5 10 Sternland (3 f Astern - Landslide) - Opie Bosson; was late across heels and strong for fourth in a Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 27 January at Hastings, and steps up in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1600 metres (eligible $11,500 bonus). Ideally drawn (2), she rates a top three prospect.