Te Akau Te Aroha Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses on Tuesday December 16 at Te Aroha.

The footing was rated Dead5, with the rail out nine metres.

Te Akau owners Gary Chittick, Bob Morris & Carol Marshall

Heat 5 2YO 800 metres (neck, 2 lengths 47.1)
Enshrine (2 f Minstrel Court - Pinstinct) - Matt Cameron (below); began slowly to stand the leader eight lengths at the 600m, but made good ground between runners to almost grab third.

Heat 6 2YO 800 metres (½ a length, 2 lengths 46.9)
Esprit De Corps (2 g Bel Esprit - Vercors) - Matt Cameron (below); left a wide gate with good speed to race handily in third and he fought solidly for fourth.

Heat 7 2YO 800 metres (1 ½ lengths, ½ a length 46.7)
Love Actually (2 f Swiss Ace - Just Platonic) - Matt Cameron (below); was posted three wide on the pace from barrier four. She ranged to lead at the 200m and worked clear, displaying a good action and promising attributes, to win with her ears pricked.

Heat 8 2YO 800 metres (1 ½ lengths, 5 lengths 46.6)
Special Memories (2 f Fastnet Rock - Memories of You) - Matt Cameron (below); began swiftly to lead. She travelled comfortably against the rail and kept up a strong gallop to win with her ears pricked.

Heat 9 2YO 800 metres (head, 2 ½ lengths 46.0)
Splurge (2 c Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Matt Cameron (below); was away well to co-lead on the inner from barrier one. He sustained his run to finish third in a quickly run heat and looked good stretching out past the line.

2 f Lookin' at Lucky - Highland Lights - Michael McNab (below); worked up from a wide draw and did her best work late, pleasing the rider in her action.

Heat 10 2YO 800 metres (3 lengths, head 47.0)
Unsurpassed (2 c Exceed and Excel - Alamantra) - Matt Cameron (below); negated the outside barrier with ease to situate beautifully, fourth on the outer, and once released at the 250m he ran clear to win with authority.

2 f Thorn Park - Squall - Michael McNab (below); got across nicely from barrier six to trail in third on the inner and across heels mid straight wound up stylishly near the line to almost claim third.

Heat 23 Maiden 1000 metres (½ a length, 2 lengths 59.8)
3 g Henny Hughes - La Bella Zoccola - Matt Cameron (below); jumped best to lead against the rail from barrier one, travelling energetically at a good tempo. He cornered nicely and maintained his advantage under minimal urging to win well.

Heat 24 Maiden 1000 metres (head, 3 ½ lengths 59.6)
Astrid (3 f Pins - Astralita) - Matt Cameron (below); travelled nicely on the bridle in fourth, from barrier two, and angling clear to challenge at the 300m she finished off solidly for third.

Heat 24 Maiden 1000 metres (1 length, ¾ lengths 59.6)
Latin Rose (3 f Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Matt Cameron (below); got back from a wide draw to be seven lengths from the leader at the 600m, but angled out in the straight she worked home wide on the track for fifth.

Heat 27 Open 1000 metres (2 ½ lengths, head 59.1)
Madame Jamai (3 f Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - Ed Zainal (below); travelled comfortably on the rail, shaded to her outside by the leader. In the trail on straightening, she saw daylight one off the fence at the 300m and was held together for sixth in nice quiet trial outing.

Heat 30 Open 1200 metres (½ a length, head 1:12.6)
Vive La Difference (3 f Choisir - L'Artiste) - Matt Cameron (below); began smartly from a wide gate to travel second in the open and was held together, without asking, to finish fourth.

Imperium (3 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Opie Bosson (below); got back in running over the sprint trip, tracked up behind runners wide out in the straight but had no room to improve.

Photo credit - Stacey Bridgman