Te Akau Te Rapa Midweek Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing on Wednesday 20 January at Te Rapa.

Weather: overcast, track: Dead4, rail: out 7 metres. 3mls rain forecast Tuesday, 6mls race day morning.

1.00 p.m. R3 14 Melodious (3 f Darci Brahma - Quintette) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); freshened after good efforts in her first four starts, and drew out to win untouched when trialling on 5 January at Cambridge. With weight relief to 51kg, she rates a top three chance in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres.

2.10 p.m. R5 11 Madame Moet  (3 f Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); finished fourth with a notable effort when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 3 December at New Plymouth, and found plenty to finish third at the trials on 12 January at Matamata.  She had been consistent through the trials stage, from a stakes performed mare that won twice to 1400 metres, and assisted by weight relief to 51kg in the $10,000 Maiden 1100 metres.

2.10 p.m. R5 12 D'Oro Mexicano  (3 f Vancouver - Mexican Rose) - Danielle Johnson; quickened stylishly under her own steam for a smart win when trialling on 12 January at Matamata, and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 1100 metres. By Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winning colt Vancouver (Medaglia d'Oro), her dam, Mexican Rose (Volksraad), was a Champion 2YO & 3YO in Singapore, having impressed winning two of her three starts in New Zealand. She should go well with luck from barrier 10.

3.55 p.m. R8 1 Lilikoi (4 m Charm Spirit - Barbadine) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); proved too strong after positioning perfectly in the Rating 74 1400 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and steps up carrying less weight (55.5kg) in the same grade for the $11,000 Rating 74 1600 metres. Winning the Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and third in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) last season, she rates a top three chance from barrier two.

3.55 p.m. R8 2 Shezathinka  (5 m So You Think - Headsup) - Troy Harris; produced a notable fresh-up effort for fifth to stable-mate Lilikoi (above) in the Rating 74 1400 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and steps up in the $11,000 Rating 74 1600 metres. A five-length winner over 2200 metres, second in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) at three, she has won over 1600 metres and course/distance placed at her only attempt.

5.05 p.m. R10 2 Maasir  (3 g Proisir - Maakel) - Troy Harris; finished second to subsequent impressive winner Force of Will (Power) when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 2 January at Tauranga, and steps up in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres. He raced well in three starts before being freshened and rates a top three chance.