Te Akau Tauranga Monday Preview
27 January, 2025
Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Monday 27 January at Tauranga.
Tauranga:
Weather: raining, track: Soft7, rail: out 10 metres from 1000m – 400m, remainder out 8 metres. 4mls rain forecast Sunday and no rain Monday.
12:50 p.m. R2 9 Viva Glam (3 f Savabeel – Style By Design) – Wiremu Pinn; she got back second last, six lengths off at the 600m, tracked up nicely turning for home and ran home strongly for third in a trial on 14 January at Matamata. Resuming in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres, she is out of stakes’ placed mare that won twice over 1200 metres, and is ideally drawn (3) to resume with a solid performance. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.40.
1:22 p.m. R3 4 The Sky Above (4 m American Pharoah – Blue Blue Sky) – Wiremu Pinn; she was pulled up after rearing as the gates opened in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 2 January, and then was held together with more to offer when finishing third in a trial on 14 January at Matamata. Contesting the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres, she placed in five of seven starts to 1750 metres last season, and finds the opportunity to commence her new preparation with a solid performance - one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.80.
1:22 p.m. R3 7 Matakana Girl (4 m Ace High – Bankside Belle) – Courtney Barnes; she received an economical trip behind the leaders, on bridle nearing home turn, got through along the rail and went on to win well in a trial on 14 January at Matamata, also with Barnes aboard. She raced well during her first campaign as a three-year-old, has the ability to act fresh, but requires luck from a wide draw (16). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.35.
1:57 p.m. R4 2 Sailing Away (4 g Merchant Navy – Anchovy) – Wiremu Pinn; he justifiably tired inside the last 300m after working to lead in the Rating 65 2000 metres on 15 January at Riccarton, and drops in grade for the $18,500 Rating 60 2100 metres. He needs to show improvement to feature. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.90.
2:32 p.m. R5 1 Plenty O’ Style (4 g Embellish – Opulent) – Craig Grylls; a home-bred, he finished back when resuming in the Rating 65 1560 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and drops in grade for the $18,500 Rating 60 2100 metres. An easy Maiden winner over 1600 metres last season, he will be seeking the opportunity to improve over more distance. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20.
3:05 p.m. R6 6 Balance Of Power (4 g Almanzor – Respin) – Wiremu Pinn; he recorded a strong second-up victory in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 4 January at Te Aroha, and steps up in grade and distance for the $18,500 Rating 75 2100 metres. He has the pedigree to appreciate the increase in distance he faces today, and is ideally drawn (2) to make his presence felt. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.50.
3.42 p.m. R7 1 Puketiro (5 m Savabeel – Matakana) – Triston Moodley (a2); she ran the fastest last 600m on the day (33.6) for a second-up victory in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 2 January, and remains in the same grade and weight for the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres. Unbeaten on the course in two starts over 1200 metres, she will appreciate the weight relief to 59.5kg, and is a top three prospect from the handy barrier four - one of a stable trio lining up in this race. Fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.40.
3.42 p.m. R7 2 Baronet (5 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Wiremu Pinn; he resumed with a good effort off the trail to finish third in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 2 January, won by Puketiro (above), and also contests the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres. A course/distance winner on heavy ground previously, from the good gate (2) expect him to be right in the thick of the business. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $2.50.
3.42 p.m. R7 9 Not Straight Laced (4 m Turn Me Loose – Clos De Tart) – Craig Grylls; she circled widest from back in the field and ran home well for fourth when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 2 January, won by Puketiro (above), and likewise contests the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres. Another home-bred, she ended her previous campaign with back-to-back wins over 1200 metres at Riccarton (poly-track) and, drawn the ace, is capable of a top three finish. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.10.
4:52 p.m. R9 8 Court Of Appeal (4 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Wiremu Pinn; she got back last, 10 lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and ran home solidly for fourth in a trial on 14 January at Matamata. Resuming in the $18,500 Rating 65 1600 metres, she was a winner over 1400 metres in September, is bred for staying distances and is capable of solid showing from barrier three. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.40.
5:25 p.m. R10 10 Lightning Dream (4 m Rip Van Winkle – Alana’s Dream) – Wiremu Pinn; she remained back when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 2 January, and contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1600 metres. She capped good form with a strong Maiden win over 1600 metres last April at Matamata, and is a half-sister to Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), the triple stakes’ winner for the stable this season in Melbourne. While she is capable of a bold showing, she will need things to go her way from the outside gate (12). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.60.
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