Te Akau Trials' Report

Te Akau trialled horses on Tuesday April 14 at Te Awamutu.

The footing was rated Heavy10, but raced more like slow, with the rail out three metres.

Heat 1 Open 1150 metres (neck, 1 ¼ lengths 1:11.9)

Rockfast (3 c Fastnet Rock - Gypsy Princess) - Matt Cameron; was steadied off a wide gate to settle second last, stood the leader six lengths at the 600m and drawn widest into the straight he quickened with a strong finish for third.

Heat 5 Open 1000 metres (head, 1 ¼ lengths 1:06.3)

Show No Emotion (5 m Pins - Lynisky) - Ed Zac-Syed (below); settled fifth of the six runners, then circled widest from the 400m and ran home solidly for fourth.

Heat 6 Open 1000 metres (½ head, 1 ¾ lengths 1:01.5)

Sir Darci (4 g Darci Brahma - Dominant) - Cameron Lammas (below); trailed from barrier one, was denied clear galloping room one off the fence in the straight and went to the line with more offer when close up in fifth.

Heat 8 2YO 600 metres (4 lengths, 8 lengths 36.2)

2 f Darci Brahma - So Explicit - Matt Cameron (below); began well to co-lead on the inner, cornered nicely before bounding clear at the 250m and displayed a good action and quality about her for a classy win.

Fastnet Fire (2 f Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Cameron Lammas (below); jumped away okay but got back over the sprint trip and then worked home in staying fashion.

Heat 9 2YO 600 metres (head, 5 lengths 36.4)

Gardenier (2 f Rip Van Winkle - Miss Montjeu) - Cameron Lammas (below); began well but caught wide off the outside gate. She was ranged nicely on the home bend and held together she produced a strong and athletic finish for a close second.

2 f Saperavi - Doyenne - Matt Cameron (below); tracked up nicely in fifth and closed the margin to finish fifth, running on solidly past the line.

Heat 10 2YO 600 metres (head, ¾ lengths 36.6)

2 f Saperavi - Primo Quest - Matt Cameron (below); jumped awkwardly but recovered to track the first four into the straight and she let down with a strong finish, exuding a good action in the process, for a closing fifth.

Maleficent (2 f Rip Van Winkle - Fairy Tipsy) - Cameron Lammas (below); cleared the gates nicely to position fourth on the inner and although without the zip over the sprint trip in the straight she worked home well and did get into her work past the line.

Heat 11 2YO 600 metres (neck, ¾ lengths 36.4)

Rocksun (2 c Fastnet Rock - Beyond the Sunset) - Cameron Lammas (below); positioned on the outside in third of the four runners, holding the same position at the 400m and once balanced in the straight he unwound a strong finish, appearing compact and tidy in his action, for a close second.

2 g High Chaparral - Daneripper - Matt Cameron (below); worked up on the inner from barrier one and after cornering nicely near the rail he ran home strongly for a close third.

Heat 12 2YO 600 metres (2 lengths, 4 lengths 36.5)

2 f Alamosa - Sea Rhythm - Cameron Lammas (below); on pace and sharing the lead on the outer at the 400m, she took over early in the home straight and, looking for more, had the audacity to prick her ears at the line.

Heat 15 2YO 850 metres (3 lengths, head 52.8)

2 g Saperavi - Aventura - Matt Cameron (below); began well but became detached by three lengths from the three ahead of him at the 400m, before railing nicely and winding up solidly for third.

Heat 16 2YO 850 metres (head, 2 lengths 51.8)

2 f Encosta De Lago - Chasing Mammon - Cameron Lammas (below); travelled easily when tracking up behind runners off the outside gate and held together in the straight she ran home under her own steam for fourth.

Heat 17 2YO 850 metres (1 length, ¾ lengths 51.8)

Love Actually (2 f Swiss Ace - Just Platonic) - Matthew Cameron (below); put in the race from the outset to travel along outside the leader she ran home solidly for a close third, under minimal urging.

Heat 24 Maiden 850 metres (8 lengths, 3 lengths 51.1)

Latin Rose (3 f Mastercraftsman - Down View) - Matt Cameron (below); settled back from an outside gate and angled wide in the straight she ran on strongly.

Photo credit - Stacey Bridgman