Te Akau Tauranga Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Sunday 6 February at Tauranga.

Weather: overcast, track: Dead5, rail: out 7 metres. 25mls rain forecast.

12:43 p.m. R1 6 Albatross (3 f Sacred Falls - Bint Piavonic) - Opie Bosson; remained held together in a strong finish to win at the trials on 11 January at Cambridge (poly-track), and debuts in the $15,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Grand-dam Piavonic (Scenic) won the Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), and an emulation of her trials should see a bold performance. Fixed odds: $1.85 & $1.15.

1:18 p.m. R2 5 Weneedashock (3 g Shocking - Prado Red) - Opie Bosson; got handy and fought well for fifth when debuting in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 12 January at Matamata. Contesting the $15,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, he has the top rider aboard but requires luck from an awkward draw (13). Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.

1:53 p.m. R3 6 The Mighty Spar (4 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Opie Bosson; capped good form when letting down with an undeniable finish in a Rating 65 1600 metres on 13 January at Otaki, and steps up in the $30,000 Rating 74 1600 metres. Ideally drawn (4), he looks a top three contender. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

2:28 p.m. R4 5 Prismatic (3 g Savabeel - Kaleidoscope) - Opie Bosson; sustained a strong finish when debuting in a Maiden 1200 metres on 22 December at New Plymouth, and was the same again off a three wide trip for second in a Maiden 1400 metres on 13 January at Otaki. He rates a top three chance in the $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65.

3:03 p.m. R5 3 Te Akau Caliburn (7 g Camelot - Enchanted Evening) - Opie Bosson; was back throughout when resuming off a lengthy spell in an Open 1600 metres on 8 January at Awapuni, and steps up in the $40,000 Open 2100 metres. He meets rivals with race fitness, but is ideally drawn (2) to improve. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.50.

3:38 p.m. R6 4 Devoted (4 g Contributer - Mapmaker) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); saved ground when running home well for third in a Rating 65 1800 metres on 30 December at Taupo, and did well for third to subsequent winner Spirit of Baz (Charm Spirit) in a Rating 65 2100 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa. With weight relief to 55kg in the $30,000 Rating 65 2100 metres, he should go well with luck from a wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.