Te Akau Te Rapa Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Friday 31 January at Te Rapa.       

Te Rapa:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 9 metres. No rain forecast.  

1:07 p.m. R3 7 Matakana Girl (4 m Ace High – Bankside Belle) – Wiremu Pinn; she received an economical trip behind the leaders, was on the bridle nearing the home turn, got through along rail and went on to win well in a trial on 14 January at Matamata. She raced consistently well during her first campaign as a three-year-old, and does possess the ability to act well when fresh up. While she meets a good field in the race sponsored by the stable, she is capable of a bold effort from barrier six in the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.00. 

2:17 p.m. R5 13 Sybaris (3 f Magna Grecia – Ocean Fleet) – Wiremu Pinn; she got back second last on a genuine pace, was seven lengths off at the 600m, and made ground closer to the rail in the straight when trialing on 14 January at Matamata. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 1400 metres, this race is a good starting point to her career and she will take good benefit from the experience.  She's also drawn (1) to receive an economical trip. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.80.

3:27 p.m. R7 6 Puzzle Master (3 g Rubick – One Mansini) – Wiremu Pinn; he closed strongly for second when resuming in the Rating 65 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, has been given time (34 days), and contests the $18,500 Rating 65 1200 metres. With a win and two times second from three starts, he rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.80.

4:00 p.m. R8 7 Santarelli (4 m Darci Brahma – Pennacchio) – Wiremu Pinn; she debuted with an eye-catching effort for third in the Maiden 1200 metres on 12 December at Ellerslie, and got through near the rail for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 2 January at Tauranga. Her dual listed winning dam impressed during her own career with eight wins from 1200m – 1600m, and this mare is ideally drawn (4) to present as a realistic top three prospect in the $18,500 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.60.   

4:36 p.m. R9 13 Shockabella (3 f Shocking – My Isabella) – Wiremu Pinn; she finished strongly from last to snatch fourth in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, is another who has been given time (34 days), and contests the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres. She is suited stepping up in distance, and comes in to the event as a first four chance is she can overcome the difficult gate (11). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.90.