Te Akau Trentham Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses racing on Saturday 30 January at Trentham.

Weather: overcast, track: Dead4, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

1.55 p.m. R4 7 Pokuru's Gift (5 g Rock ‘n' Pop - Pokuru Boxer) - Opie Bosson; won fresh-up during his previous three start campaign, and not extended finishing fourth at the trials on 12 January at Matamata. He meets a few smart ones, but acts first-up and drawn barrier one in the $40,000 Rating 74 1000 metres, sponsored by Join Team Te Akau - Six-time Karaka Million Winner. Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.85.

3.40 p.m. R7 3 Melody Belle  (6 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; freshened after finishing third in the $2m Mackinnon Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) during Melbourne Cup Week at Flemington. Dual NZ Horse of the Year, winner of 12 Group One races, she had exhibition gallops on 1^stand 20^thJanuary, trialling between times on 12 January at Matamata, and hardest to beat in the $200,000 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $1.55 & $1.05.

4.50 p.m. R9 2 Te AkauCaliburn  (6 g Camelot - Enchanted Evening) - Michael McNab; ran on well for sixth in the City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, won by stable-mate Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel), and contests the $250,000 NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m). He had an exhibition gallop with Melody Belle (above) on 20 January at Te Rapa, brave finishing second here in the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m), and ideally drawn (1) to race well again. Fixed odds:$11.00 & $3.50.