Te Akau Te Aroha Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Friday 6 March at Te Aroha.     

Te Aroha:  

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 4.5 metres. No rain forecast.

2:48 p.m. R3 12 Petite Rocher (3 f Grunt – Little Rock) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she finished seventh following an economical trip in the Maiden 1400 metres on 30 January at Te Rapa, and she contests the $18,500 Maiden 1150 metres. The blinkers are on, and she is a dual trial winner who will be looking to show improvement from barrier four. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.20.

3:21 p.m. R4 9 Emma Twigg (3 f El Roca – Megara) – Opie Bosson; she travelled boldly behind the leaders in fourth position, was clearly hampered getting clear in the straight, but finished on strongly in a line for the minors when trialling on 24 February at Tauranga. She is a half-sister to the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner Red Striker and former Te Akau trained five-time winner Accidental Tourist (Telperion). She has been working nicely and is expected to race well on debut in the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1150 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

4:41 p.m. R6 12 Dujardin (3 f Hello Youmzain – Equestrienne) – Michael McNab; she settled beyond midfield, was eight lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and closed the margin with a solid finish for fifth in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1600 metres here on 11 February. Contesting the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres, she is more than capable of figuring in the finish but will need luck from her wide draw (15). Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.45.