Te Akau Tauranga Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Wednesday 19 October at Tauranga.

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft5, rail: out 7 metres. No rain forecast.

12:00 p.m. R1 6 Skew Wiff (3 f Savabeel - Starvoia) - Opie Bosson; made up plenty for fifth fresh-up in the Maiden 1200 metres on 24 August at Taupo, won by stable-mate Cognito (So You Think), subsequent winner of the Guineas' Trial in Christchurch. She has since recorded two smart trial wins at Waipa, and rates a top three prospect in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres - one of two in the event for the stable.

12:00 p.m. R1 18 Zakaya (3 f Reliable Man - Zarzing) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); ran home solidly from last when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 16 September at Taupo, won by stable-mate Stella Splendida (Zoustar). She lifted for a close second in trial here prior to racing, and is ideally drawn (3) to show further improvement in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres.

12:30 p.m. R2 3 Ready to Drink (4 g Burgundy - Corsage) - Opie Bosson; mounted a big run for third in May at Matamata, before finding a Heavy10 track too testing in June. He received a mid-straight check before finishing third in a trial on 11 October at Waipa, and should race well with luck from wide draw (13) in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres - the first of a stable duo contesting this maiden event.

12:30 p.m. R2 9 Excellerina (4 m Exceed and Excel - Addie Lane) - Craig Grylls; finished back when debuting here in March, but dug in to win a trial on 11 October at Waipa. Drawn barrier one in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres, she receives the opportunity to show race day improvement.

3:29 p.m. R7 2 Fierce Flight (4 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Opie Bosson; remained back in the Rating 65 2000 metres on 8 October at Matamata, and contests the $14,000 Rating 60 2100 metres. He has won on Soft5 going over 1600 metres and strikes the ideal race for a return to form.