Te Akau Trans-Tasman Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Friday 26 July at Riccarton (poly track), Christchurch; one at Echuca and one at Geelong, both Victoria.

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: poly track, rail: true. 

2:12 p.m. R5 5 Rue de Rivoli (3 f Tivaci – Boulevard) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she has been given time (34 days) since a solid effort for sixth on Heavy10 footing in the Rating 65 1000 metres on 22 June at Riccarton, and drops in grade for the $17,000 Rating 60 1200 metres. Third in one of two attempts here on the poly track, she is ideally drawn (3) to prove competitive. Note: this filly will don the red-and-white spotted Cure Kids silks and if she wins, with $1,000 being donated to this very important charity should she win.

2:45 p.m. R6 8 Kith ‘n’ Kin (4 m Almanzor – Kindred) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she has been freshened since finishing sixth in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres here (poly track) on 31 May, and contests the corresponding event. She sustained a strong effort for third when trialling here (16 July) on the poly track, has won on the synthetic surface from three attempts, and has definite first four claims from barrier one. 

3:18 p.m. R7 1 Treaty of Paris (4 g Tavistock – Echezeaux) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he was without his usual zest when finishing eighth in the Rating 65 & Jumpers 2200 metres on 4 July at Ashburton, and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 & Jumpers 2200 metres. While he carries the top weight (61kg), he is a recent course/distance winner on the poly track, and receives the opportunity to bounce back from barrier three. 

Echuca: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

11:25 a.m. (NZ) ~1:25 p.m. R2 5 Sure Thing (3 g Akeed Mofeed – Lalani) – Celine Gaudrey (a); he is having his first start from Te Akau's Cranbourne stable, and did well finishing second and first, respectively, in two recent jump outs at Cranbourne. He resumes in the A$27,000 Maiden 1300 metres, is a consistent performer having placed twice to 1800 metres, and is ideally drawn (5) to race well first-up. ?

Geelong: 

Weather: showers, track: Soft6, rail: out 9 metres 1700m – 800m, remainder out 11 metres. 2mls rain forecast Thursday.

2:10 p.m. (NZ) ~ 4:10 p.m. R6 8 Pearl Crescent (3 f Not A Single Doubt – Blue Morpho) – Damian Lane; she won her first start for stable in the Maiden 1400 metres on 14 July at Wodonga, and steps up in the A$27,000 Benchmark 64 Fillies & Mares 1557 metres. While she does meet a stronger field and is unfortunately awkwardly drawn (9), she should have taken confidence from her fresh-up victory.