Te Akau Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses entered for the nine-race premier programme at Rotorua and two on the eight-race card at New Plymouth, Saturday May 10.

Rotorua:
As on Friday May 9 the conditions were: overcast and Heavy10, rail true.

11:40am R1 5 Flirty Gertey (3 f Thorn Park - Granma Gertey) - Matt Cameron; trialled very well recently over 1000 metres on Slow9 footing at Te Awamutu, in order to resume off a 104-day in the 3YO 1400 metres. Drawn barrier three in field of only six, her last two outings were in stakes races over a mile at Ellerslie. In the first of which, she had her chances extinguished when almost losing the jockey in the early stages of the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m). She took care of a field by four lengths winning over 1350 metres on slow ground; two wins and a second from only five starts reflect her ability, and she has the wheels to prove tough around the course.

12:45pm R3 14 Brer (5 g China Cat - La Fox) - Daniel Miller (a3); is out for a run on the flat in the Benchmark 65 Jumpers High-weight 2200 metres in preparation to resume hurdling, a role that has seen him win twice and place from six starts. Getting fitter all the time, he resumes off 259-days and should give the young rider a good guide.

3:06pm R7 4 Rapid Gain (4 g Flying Spur - Occasional Gain) - Matt Cameron; continued his exemplary form when making it back-to-back wins here on Jan. 24 in the Benchmark 75 1400 metres on good ground, and resumes off 106-days from barrier seven in the corresponding event. A big horse, with a stride to match, the query will be his ability to handle the footing, especially once chopped up by this time of day, but on the score of talent he has the measure of most in this field.

New Plymouth:
As on Friday May 9 the conditions were: fine and Heavy10, rail true.

12:23pm R1 9 Got The Snitz (2 f Snitzel - Modave) - Miranda Dravitzki (a1); was unsettled in the gates and missed the kick but put in throughout the 800-metre scamper to make up plenty of ground when debuting on April 3 at Otaki. Stepping to 1200 metres should suit the filly, but a wide barrier makes the job tough and connections are looking for her to do things right. Her unraced dam Modave (Montjeu) is a sister to Avondale Cup (Gr. 1, 2200m) winner Sharvasti, from the top race mare and producer Vedodara (Kreisler) and there is no shortage of talent in the family.

4:27pm R8 4 Sunset Pass (5 g Yamanin Vital - Janet's Chance) - Hayden Tinsley; resumed here on April 17 with a game effort off the trail for second in the Benchmark 65 1800 metres and contests the corresponding event from barrier two. He meets a stronger line up this time and it will be interesting to see if the inside running holds up by the last race. Through this, he is destined for hurdling and a role in which his only start to date produced a fine effort for third.