Te Akau Te Rapa Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses entered for the nine race programme on Sunday 22 November at Te Rapa. 

As on Saturday 21 November the conditions were: overcast and Dead5, rail out 8 metres.

1.40 p.m. R3 4 Herschal (3 g Savabeel - Starring) - Michael McNab; has improved since a solid trial at Te Aroha, and makes his debut from barrier five in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. There are a few with reasonable race form, but this fellow has shown ability to quicken and a bold showing is expected - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

1.40 p.m. R3 12 Red Poppy (3 f Iffraaj - Newgrange) - Matt Cameron; has come on in fitness for a recent trial at Cambridge, and now makes her debut from barrier six. A big filly, she will benefit from both experience and stepping over more ground and a top five finish would be encouraging.

3.27 p.m. R6 5 Bon Marche (4 g Nom Du Jeu - Las Vegas Lass) - Michael Coleman; was undone when ridden forward with blinkers on over 1400 metres at Tauranga, and with a tongue tie added he reverts to 1600 metres. Narrowly beaten when finishing third here at his only attempt, a return to his consistent efforts could see him progress over more ground in the near future. His dam showed her best over 2000 metres - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

3.27 p.m. R6 10 Echezeaux (4 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - Matt Cameron; turned in a much improved performance for third over 1400 metres at Hastings, and the step to a mile should be ideal. She has drawn wide, but rates a top three chance with luck in running.

4.39 p.m. R8 4 Star of Greenbeel (5 g Savabeel - Greensleeves) - Cameron Lammas; was tightened near the rail for a close third in the Rating 65 1400 metres at Hastings, with this rider aboard, after being caught off the track when resuming at Taupo. At his only previous race day start, he displayed good stretch and fight to win on debut last December over 1200 metres at Rotorua. With luck from a midfield draw, he shapes as a top five chance in the Rating 65 1600 metres.

5.15 p.m. R9 10 Shillelagh (4 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Matt Cameron; trialled pleasingly behind runners at Cambridge, having recorded a smart debut win over 1200 metres in April at Woodville. Resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres, she will require luck from the draw but has the talent to prove competitive. A sister to Brisbane Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Tullamore [$827,000 in stakes], she has a promising future over more distance.