Te Akau Te Rapa Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Saturday 26 July at Te Rapa. 

Te Rapa: 

Weather: fine, track: Heavy9, rail: out 9 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:42 p.m. R2 7 Inca Belle (5 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Yuga Okubo (a3); she did well from back and wide on testing Heavy10 ground in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 6 July at Tauranga, and contests the $35,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She has recorded four wins to 1400 metres, has placed in two of three course attempts, including running a good third on Soft7 in May. She enjoys weight relief to 54kg, and is racing well. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.40.

1:48 p.m. R4 8 Viva Glam (3 f Savabeel – Style By Design) – Samantha Collett; she did well for third n under testing Heavy10 conditions in the 3YO 1200 metres here on 5 July, won by race rival Ribkraka, and contests the $55,000 3YO 1400 metres. She finished boldly for fourth here before winning in May at Matamata, boasts a solid record, and is a genuine top three prospect. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.70.

3:00 p.m. R6 4 Malborough Bay (5 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) – Hayley Hassman (a3); he was rewarded after finishing second here in a corresponding race, winning the Rating 75 1400 metres on 5 July, also with our stable apprentice aboard. Stepping up in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1300 metres, he drops down in weight from carrying 57kg last time to 52.5kg, and while he obviously meets strong field, he does bring winning form to the contest - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.80.

3:00 p.m. R6 10 Baronet (5 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Ace Lawson-Carroll (a1); the second starter in this race for the team, he fought hard when runner up after racing three-wide near the pace in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 21 June at Tauranga, and has since had a hurdle trial (2000m) on 7 July at Cambridge. All three of his wins over 1200 metres have been recorded on heavy ground, he carries the minimum weight (53kg) and brings good fitness levels to the fight. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.50. 

4:10 p.m. R8 10 Vickezzlastcall (3 f Wrote – Vickezzchardonnay) – Samantha Collett; she ran home strongly for fifth when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 15 June at Matamata, and improved to record a second-up victory in the Maiden 2YO & 3YO 1400 metres on 6 July at Tauranga, also with Collett in the saddle. Stepping up in the $35,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she is the half-sister to Te Akau trained, triple stakes’ winner Aromatic (Sacred Falls), and has the ability to prove competitive if the wide draw (12) doesn’t hinder her chances. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.20. 

Main picture: Vickezzlastcall