Te Akau Te Rapa Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 14 horses entered on Saturday 29 April at Te Rapa.

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

12:35 p.m. R1 1 Leaderboard (8 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Jessica Allen (a4); he was given time after the Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) at Pukekohe, and produced a big effort for second under the top weight (74.5kg) in the Rating 75 Highweight 2000 metres on 19 April at Matamata. He has weight relief to 59.5kg in the $30,000 Rating 75 2400 metres, won corresponding race at this meeting two years ago, and should race well. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.50.

12:35 p.m. R1 3 The Mighty Spar (5 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Triston Moodley (a4); he came from last to beat a small but select field in the South Waikato Cup (Rating 86, 2000m) on 15 March at Matamata, and ran the fastest last 600m (34.0) for fourth to stable-mate Fierce Flight (Flying Artie) in the Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m) on 15 April at Hastings. He also enjoys weight relief (to 56kg) in the $30,000 Rating 75 2400 metres, has placed in four of his five course attempts, and rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.10.

1:10 p.m. R2 1 Fellini (3 g Belardo - Silke Top) - Jessica Allen (a4); he ran the fastest last 600m (34.4) with a strong finish from last in the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres on 25 March at Tauranga, and provided trainer Mark Walker with record setting (161^st) win in the corresponding event on 8 April at Pukekohe. With the two-time winning Te Akau apprentice aboard, he drops to 54.5kg in the $30,000 3YO 1600 metres, has genuine attributes and is a stakes' performer, but he requires luck from the wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40. 

1:10 p.m. R2 4 Accidental Tourist (3 g Telperion - Megara) - Opie Bosson; he sustained a big sprint after missing the start to win the 3YO 1400 metres on 14 April at Awapuni, and also contests the $30,000 3YO 1600 metres. He was placed at his only course attempt and, given the enormity of his previous effort, he presents as a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

1:43 p.m. R3 6 Egyptian Queen (2 f Zoustar - Hieroglyphics) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she maintained a good gallop for close second in a trial on 7 March at Rotorua, and debuted with the fastest last 600m (33.5) for second in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 5 April at Tauranga. Displaying natural precocity, she is capable of a first three finish from barrier two in the $30,000 2YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65.

2:18 p.m. R4 2 Wairau Cove (4 g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Opie Bosson; did well for fifth, given race not really run to suit, in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 14 April at Awapuni, and contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1300 metres. Second in the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) at the corresponding meeting last year, expect a bold showing if he can navigate the wide gate (14), he has the right man aboard for that task. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

2:18 p.m. R4 6 Sophisticardo (4 g Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Jessica Allen (a4); he produced a top run for second when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 1 April at Awapuni, and found line with a notable effort in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 April at Hastings. He has raced well here previously, benefits with weight relief to 54kg, but he too requires luck from a wide draw (12) in the $30,000 Rating 75 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00. 

2:53 p.m. R5 4 I Choose You (3 f I Am Invincible - Choose) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she raced well for second to impressive winning stable-mate Puketiro (Savabeel) when resuming in the 3YO 1200 metres here on 15 April, and contests the $85,000 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). She proved a class above winning here over 1100 metres in February, is multiple stakes' placed, and presents as a top three chance with any luck from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.40. 

2:53 p.m. R5 6 Petrucci (3 f I Am Invincible - Via Napoli) - Michael McNab; she was hard to fault winning two from two before closing well for fourth in the same race as I Choose You (above) here on 15 April. She is ideally drawn (6) in the $85,000 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) to deliver a top three finish. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.90.

3:28 p.m. R6 4 Aotea Lad (6 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Jessica Allen (a4); he flattened out with an undeniable finish to easily win the $35,000 Open 1400 metres here on 15 April, providing the Te Akau apprentice with her first win on her first race day. Winning two of last three, he enjoys weight relief to 52kg, and rates a top three prospect in the corresponding race. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

3:28 p.m. R6 8 Aris Aris (4 m Contributer - Irish Encore) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she extended her very good record with a second-up victory in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 25 March at Tauranga, and was a good fifth in the Power Turf Sprint (Listed, 1200m) on 15 April at Hastings. Placed two from two on the course, she however requires everything to go her way from the wide gate (11). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.00. 

4:08 p.m. R7 1 Aromatic (6 m Sacred Falls - Vickezzchardonnay) - Opie Bosson; she was without favours when running the fastest last 600m (33.1) in the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 8 April at Pukekohe, and backed up with brilliant victory in the Manawatu Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) on 14 April at Awapuni. In peak form, she should be right in the thick of things at the business end in the $120,000 Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) - one of two Te Akau mares contesting the feature. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.30.

4:08 p.m. R7 5 The Perfect Pink (4 m Savabeel - The Solitaire) - Kozzi Asano; she fought well, second-up, on unsuitable Heavy10 footing in the Easter Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) last Saturday at Pukekohe, and likewise contests the $120,000 Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m). The 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner and runner-up in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) here last season, she should race well, but requires a ton of luck from here awkward draw (11). Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.80.

4:43 p.m. R8 13 She's Outrageous (4 m Reliable Man - She's Insatiable) - Opie Bosson; she hit line okay when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 March at Matamata, and was racing without much room in the final stages of the Rating 1600 metres on 14 April at Awapuni. She flew home to win her Maiden over 1600 metres and is capable of a solid performance from barrier eighth in the $30,000 Rating 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.