Te Akau Te Rapa Friday Preview
Date: 29 Sep 2022
Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Friday 30 September at Te Rapa.
Weather: overcast, track: Soft6, rail: out true. 2mls rain forecast Thursday and 15mls Friday.
12:30 p.m. R1 1 Fellini (3 g Belardo - Silke Top) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); sprinted hard to win fresh-up in the 3YO Colts & Geldings 1100 metres on 24 August at Taupo, running the fastest last 600m (34.5) on the day, and then lifted for fourth to stable-mate Dynastic (Almanzor) in the El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) on 10 September at Hastings. Very genuine winning three from six, he comes in as the highest rated runner, has the ace draw, and is among the top three prospects in the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres - the first of two in the event for the stable.
12:30 p.m. R1 4 Stonybreck (3 g Tavistock - Fair Isle) - Opie Bosson; debuted winning a Maiden 970 metres in track record time on 3 August at Cambridge (poly-track), then delivered a strong finish for fourth to stable-mate Fellini (above) in the 3YO Colts & Geldings 1100 metres on 24 August at Taupo, before running the fastest last 600m (34.9) in the 3YO 1400 metres on 10 September at Ruakaka. He too rates a top three chance in the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres.
1:40 p.m. R3 9 Florencenightngale (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Reigning Dynasty) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); came clear to win easily by two and a half lengths on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1230 metres on 29 April at Rotorua, and trialled twice in preparation to resume in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. From a good family, she should race well with a decent trip from barrier nine - one of a stable trio contesting the event.
1:40 p.m. R3 10 Polly Plum (4 m Xtravagant - Herstory) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); ran fastest last 600m (34.1) winning off the front in the Maiden 3YO 1300 metres here in January, and was spelled after contesting the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). Following two thirds in trials at Cambridge (poly-track), she too resumes in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. A beautiful filly, she has weight relief to 54kg, but requires luck from her difficult draw (16).
1:40 p.m. R3 18 A Little Bit Bossy (4 m Rock ‘n' Pop - Molly Coco) - Opie Bosson; was third and first, respectively, before she found the heavy footing too testing over 1400 metres in March at Tauranga. She finished solidly when trialling on 13 September at Cambridge (poly-track), and also resumes in the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. An improving mare, she should race well from barrier six.
3:25 p.m. R6 3 Markus Aurelius (6 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Opie Bosson; won the Coupland's Bakeries Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) last season, and resumed with an eye-catching fourth over 1400 metres at Ruakaka. He failed to handle the heavy footing here in the Open 1500 metres on 4 September. A course winner, he receives the opportunity to improve in the $40,000 Open 1600 metres if the track remains reasonable.
3:25 p.m. R6 6 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); resumed with a big win under 60kg in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo, and fought well for sixth after doing plenty of work on pace here in the Open 1500 metres on 4 September. He is capable, but requires luck from his dreadful draw (17).
4:00 p.m. R7 8 Armino (3 c Fastnet Rock - Luna Rossa) - Opie Bosson; remained midfield for sixth when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1300 metres on 16 September at Taupo, and contests $15,000 Maiden 3YO 1300 metres. He stretched out very well to win a trial here in August, but requires luck from (yet another) wide draw (15).
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