Te Akau Te Rapa Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has eleven horses entered for the ten race programme on Wednesday 9 September  at Te Rapa.

As on Tuesday 8 September the conditions were: fine and Slow8, rail out 12 metres.

11.55 a.m. R1 2 Highly Likely (5 g High Chaparral - Starrinka) - Michael McNab; was unable to make ground on a challenging track here over 2100 metres in August and, although contesting the corresponding Rating 65 2100 metres, it appears a better option. He has been schooling in training and would be competitive at best.

1:05 p.m. R3 2 Imperium (4 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Matt Cameron; resumes off 146 days in the Rating 65 1600 metres, after ending his first campaign in April with an effortless win over 2100 metres on dead/slow footing at Woodville. Following two trials, the addition of blinkers should sharpen him up and while extra distance is the key, he showed to act fresh when rattling home for third over 1400 metres last October at Avondale.

2.15 p.m. R5 11 Tatters (3 f Tavistock - Rattle) - Michael Coleman; peaked on her run in heavy going when resuming off 98 days in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres at Avondale and should prove better suited in the Maiden 1200 metres on better going. Barrier six should result in a good trip and she has shown enough to threaten in this field - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

2.15 p.m. R5 13 Our Abbadean (3 f Lookin at Lucky - Highland Lights) - Michael McNab; pleased this rider when third in a recent trial at Te Teko, having developed considerably since her debut behind seven-length winning stable-mate Xtravagant (Pentire) over 1400 metres in April at Hastings. She too should find a nice position from barrier four and a solid performance is expected.

2.50 p.m. R6 12 Thetruthisoutthere (3 f Starcraft - Absolute Faith) - Matt Cameron; did well for second when debuting on 19 August in the Maiden 1200 metres on deteriorating ground at Taupo. The better going is expected to suit and although more distance could become her forte she can again prove competitive in the Maiden 1200 metres with a decent trip from a wide draw.

3.25 p.m. R7 4 Hushed (5 g Don Eduardo - Danewhisper) - Matt Cameron; trialled up nicely on 4 August at Te Teko and resumes off 147 days from barrier one in the Maiden 1400 metres. He showed in two outings last campaign that eventually middle distances should suit and experience will improve him but he is ideally placed here to kick off on a positive note.

4.00 p.m. R8 12 Zambezi Warrior (3 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Matt Cameron; appears in outstanding order to debut in the Maiden 1400 metres, on the back of two very encouraging trials in August at Te Teko. Out of a Zabeel mare, from the triple Group One winner Tall Poppy (Kaapstad), he shapes as a lovely staying prospect for the future. The better the footing, the better his prospects are likely to be and from a handy gate he should be given every chance of performing up to his looks.

4.35 p.m. R9 9 Niamh Elizabeth (3 f Per Incanto - Trove) - Matt Cameron; did everyone proud with a tough performance for third on debut in heavy ground over 1200 metres at Avondale.  She shows to have tightened in condition for a tilt at the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres which has a $10,000 bonus attached. The stakes on offer have drawn an even line of form runners and any improvement will see her competitive with luck from a wide draw - one of three in the race for Te Akau, although the two below are currently on the ballot.

4.35 p.m. R9 16 Love Actually (3 f Swiss Ace - Just Platonic) - rider to be advised: was all at sea on the deteriorating track conditions when resuming recently at Taupo, and she has the ability to make amends from barrier three with a further defection.  Currently on the ballot.

4.35 p.m. R9 18 Lady Painton (3 f Tavistock - Lady Verify) - rider to be advised: should be improved by her fresh-up run at Ruakaka, and likely to be better suited to this course if able to make the field.  Currently on the ballot.

5.09 p.m. R10 3 Bon Marche (4 g Nom Du Jeu - Las Vegas Lass) - Matt Cameron; has been shaping up nicely in three starts since resuming and was unlucky not to finish closer than fourth when blocked for a run over 1400 metres last time out at Ruakaka. Although not overly big, he has carried the 58.5kgs creditably and appears a genuine chance if given a sweet trip in the Maiden 1600 metres.