Te Akau Trentham Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses racing on Saturday 20 January at Trentham.

As on Friday 19 January the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail true. 2mls rain forecast race day.

2.35 p.m. R5 2 Splurge (5 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Opie Bosson; was too good for his rivals in the weight-for-age Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 23 December at Awapuni, recording his eighth win from 18 starts. He pleased rider Opie Bosson during a solo exhibition gallop on 12 January at Matamata, and brings the right form to rate an each way chance from barrier two in the $200,000 Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m). He finished second at his only course attempt and won and placed in three starts at the distance. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.20.

3.47 p.m. R7 6 Chambord (7 g Zabeel - Miss Montjeu) - Michael McNab; was tremendous returning to winning form on 1 December in the Levin Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Otaki, and despite the addition of 5kgs to carry 58.5kgs he was unlucky not to win the J Swap Contractors Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 16 December at Te Rapa. Most recently, on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, he was luckless when a close third under 60kgs in the Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m). A talented warrior, in the best form of his career, the right trip from a wide draw (17) can see him competitive in the $250,000 Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m). He has placed on the course and won four, placed twice, in eight attempts at the distance. Fixed odds: $26.00 & $7.50.

3.47 p.m. R7 12 Heroic Valour (4 h Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Opie Bosson; was unfortunately scratched when the rain arrived and track downgraded to Slow8 ahead of the Sistema Railway (Gr. 1, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie. Leading up, he ran another top race when claimed on the line by race rival Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) in the Open 1200 metres on 9 December at Ellerslie. The Group One winning juvenile pleased rider Opie Bosson during an exhibition gallop with Chambord (above) on 12 January at Matamata, and boasts the right credentials to prove a major player in the $250,000 Telegraph (Gr. 1, 1200m). Drawn barrier nine, he won here on debut as a two-year-old at his only course attempt and won three, placed twice, in seven starts over 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.