Te Akau Tauranga Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses entered for the nine race premier programme on Saturday 20 June at Tauranga.

As on Friday 19 June the conditions were: cloudy and Slow9, rail out 4 metres.

11.57 a.m. R1 1 Chadsdale (3 g Castledale - Geeiliani) - Cameron Lammas; found a good kick after racing in sixth and was only just collared on June 10 in the Maiden 1400 metres on Heavy10 at Avondale, and brings solid form to the $20,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Three starts ago, he finished a close third here on April 11 in the Maiden 1300 metres on Heavy10 footing. Dropping back to 1200m should pose no issue, and a bit of luck could see him justify strong tote support.

4.14 p.m. R9 8 Highly Likely (4 g High Chaparral - Starrinka) - Matt Cameron; fought solidly for fourth after racing near the pace on June 1 in the Rating 75 2200 metres on Heavy11 footing at Ellerslie, and contests the Rating 75 2100 metres from barrier four. He drops a couple of kilos to carry 54kgs. In a strong field, which is expected for $25k, he shapes as an each way chance - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

4.14 p.m. R9 13 Tavis Star (3 f Tavistock - Megapins) - Michael Coleman; was just denied in a duel on May 30 in the 3YO 1600 metres on a stick Heavy10 at Ellerslie, and although stepping up in distance she brings solid form and compelling family history. Her grand-dam, Instant Divorce (Fiesta Star), won the corresponding race here on heavy ground in 1997. Competitively weighted with 54kgs, she rates a genuine prospect provided she can find the right part of the track from barrier three.