Te Akau Te Aroha Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses entered for the ten race programme on Friday 25 September at Te Aroha.

As on Thursday 24 September the conditions were: cloudy and Heavy10, rail true.

12.48 p.m. R4 7 Sunset Pass (7 g Yamanin Vital - Janet's Chance) - Daniel Miller; clipped the top and fell at the 700m when lying third here in the Restricted Open Steeplechase 3500 metres on 30 August, after a close third in the Maiden Steeplechase 3500 metres here prior. While those with wins on the board, especially course specialist Kick Back, should prove hardest to beat, he has continued to train well and boasts the right form to threaten if all goes to plan.

1.58 p.m. R6 11 Thetruthisoutthere (3 f Starcraft - Absolute Faith) - Matt Cameron; produced a solid effort for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on Slow8 footing at Te Rapa, having done well for second when debuting on 19 August in the Maiden 1200 metres on deteriorating ground at Taupo. Also an acceptor in race five (1.23 p.m.), although likely to take her place here in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres and she who cops track conditions best will prevail.

3.43 p.m. R9 14 Our Abbadean (3 f Lookin at Lucky - Highland Lights) - Michael McNab; was little inferior to stable-mate and winner Tatters (Tavistock) when resuming with a close fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on Slow8 footing at Te Rapa, with this rider aboard. Showing she had developed considerably since her debut behind seven-length winning stable-mate Xtravagant (Pentire) over 1400 metres in April at Hastings. Stepping to 1400 metres should suit and can threaten if appreciative of the going - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

3.43 p.m. R9 17 Love Actually (3 f Swiss Ace - Just Platonic) - Matt Cameron; produced a solid performance for sixth when making the field off the ballot in NZB Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres on Slow8 footing at Te Rapa, and again requires a couple to scratch in order to make the field. She won a trial here on Dead4 last December and any improvement in the going with aid her prospects.

4.16 p.m. R10 9 Tatters (3 f Tavistock - Rattle) - Michael Coleman; knuckled down and sprinted for this rider to win the Maiden 1200 metres on Slow8 footing at Te Rapa, after peaking on her run in heavy going when resuming off 98 days in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres at Avondale. Drawn wide, which could prove advantageous in the Rating 65 1400 metres, the step up can be a winning one if appreciative of the going.