Te Akau Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses entered during the nine-race programme at Ruakaka, and one on the ten-race card at Awapuni, Saturday Sept. 14.

Ruakaka:

As at 10:18am on Friday Sept. 13 the conditions were: fine and Dead6, rail true.

2:15pm R5 3 Gunsmoke (6 g O'Reilly - The Gem) - Michael Dee (a3); finished second to the multiple stakes performed mare Our Famous Eve when trialled recently at Te Teko, and resumes from a 238-day break in the Benchmark 85 1400 metres. Drawn barrier three in a field of eight and claiming three-kilos to 55kgs, he can act in a fresh state to prove effective providing he has an immediate affiliation with the track - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

2:15pm R5 8 Imperial Miss (5 m Shinko King - Nanset) - Matt Cameron; resumes in good fettle from a 133-day break and the benefit of two seconds when trialling in August at Te Teko. Effective on good and dead footing in three wins from ten starts, she has blinkers on and should receive a favourable trip from barrier three.

3:26pm R7 3 All Decked Out (3 c Darci Brahma - Diamond Deck) - Matt Cameron; has been freshened since an authoritative debut win here on July 13 in the 2YO 1200 metres on dead ground and off a 63-day let up he contests the Westbury 3YO Challenge (Listed, 1200m). A big, strapping individual with everything in the right place, he was in no way inferior to race rival and early 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) favourite Cosmic Cube when second in a recent trial at Te Teko, and with the benefit of course experience appears set to give a good account.

4:06pm R8 8 King Savinsky (3 g Savabeel - Lynisky) - Michael Dee (a3); resumes from a 49-day break having sustained a big finish from the rear for fourth to Cauthen on debut and again finding the line behind Congressman, both in July over 1200 metres at Te Rapa. With blinkers on, weight relief to 54.5kgs and a step to 1400 metres, he can prove somewhat of a surprise package - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

4:06pm R8 11 Aspen (3 c Alamosa - Kirin Belle) - Matt Cameron; showed willing attributes in a recent trial at Te Teko, when closing widest on the track from six lengths off the pace at the 600 metres to finish second. A half-brother to impressive 1400-metre winning mare Our Ella Belle (Encosta De Lago), and multiple stakes performer Winning Belle (Zabeel), he has what it takes to make his presence felt on debut.

Awapuni:

As at 9:23am on Friday Sept. 13 the conditions were: fine and Heavy10, rail true.

4:26pm R9 12 Thrive (6 m Colombia - Trove) - Kelly Myers; comes off a 35-day freshen-up to contest the Merial Metric Mile (Gr. 3, 1600m), from barrier four, after finishing third in the Winter Cup (Gr. 3, 1600m) in two starts during the Grand National Carnival at Riccarton. She won in September last year and has pleased trainer Jason Bridgman in her recent work.

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