Te Akau Wanganui Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Thursday 23 February at Wanganui. 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 4 metres. 20mls rain forecast Thursday. 

12:26 p.m. R1 1 Talisker (2 g Embellish - Glenkinchie) - Michael McNab; he finished powerfully from the rear for second to stable-mate Trobriand (Kermadec) in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Te Rapa, and posted a notable effort stretching out late in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), won by stable-mate Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin), on 21 January at Pukekohe. He rates a top three chance in the $14,000 2YO 1200 metres.

1:03 p.m. R2 9 Dignitosa (3 f Xtravagant - Infra Dig) - Michael McNab; she did well from the outside gate (12) over 1050 metres in October at Matamata, has spelled, and resumes in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She appears capable of a bold performance from barrier one. 

1:03 p.m. R2 13 Zoom (3 f Iffraaj - Ma Belle Ami) - Craig Grylls; she was fine through the line from beyond midfield when resuming in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres on 26 January at Hastings, in a race where positions changed little, and she contests the corresponding event. She appears capable of good effort from barrier six. 

4:31 p.m. R8 5 Devoted (5 g Contributer - Mapmaker) - Craig Grylls; he raced well although was caught a little flat-footed over 1400 metres on 7 February at Taupo, and steps up in the $14,000 Rating 60 2040 metres. This is more to his liking and is ideally drawn to make an impact (4). 

4:31 p.m. R8 10 Aquilo (5 g Frankel - Stormy Lucy) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he ran home well for second off an economical trip in the Rating 60 1600 metres on 3 January at Matamata, but wasn't the same in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 4 February at New Plymouth. He receives the opportunity to improve in the $14,000 Rating 60 2040 metres.