Te Akau Woodville Easter Monday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Easter Monday (10 April) at Woodville.

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

11:25 a.m. R1 4 Bak Da Master (8 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Michael Roustoby (a3); he rounded off solidly for second in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $14,000 Jumpers' High-weight 1600 metres. A very good jumper preparing for the coming jumps' season, he nonetheless has good distance stats,  a three-kilo weight relief, goes well fresh, and is ideally drawn (4). Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00. 

11:25 a.m. R1 12 Rip Van Gogh (5 g Rip Van Winkle - On the Move) - Lemmy Douglas; he ran home well from rear for fifth in the Rating 60 1600 metres on 15 March at Matamata, and also contests the $14,000 Jumpers' High-weight 1600 metres. He has delivered two solid efforts this time in, and receives the ideal opportunity to keep it going. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.60. 

12:38 p.m. R3 7 Treaty of Paris (3 g Tavistock - Echezeaux) - Craig Grylls; he raced handily to record a solid fourth in the Maiden 2000 metres on 15 March at Matamata, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 2200 metres. He is racing well and rates a top three chance from barrier four. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.45.

1:18 p.m. R4 9 Rightly So (3 f El Roca - So It Begins) - Michael McNab; she continued her solid form line when finishing third in the Maiden 1200 metres on 29 March at Matamata, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1100 metres. Dropping back a peg in distance may suit, she has done little wrong, and expect a good effort again. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.45.

1:58 p.m. R5 3 Mazzucato (2 f Tivaci - Yellen) - Michael McNab; she has been freshened since finishing fifth in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 18 February at Pukekohe, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. Both of her starts to date have been in good fields, and while she has the pedigree to appreciate further, she appears capable of bold showing. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.35.

1:58 p.m. R5 5 Qali Al Farrasha (2 f Almanzor - Nucleonic) - Craig Grylls; she was tightened early before finishing strongly for third in a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and makes her debut in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. Her Te Akau trained dam Nucleonic (Burgundy) impressed winning on debut over 1200 as a two-year-old. She looked good winning a trial with Grylls aboard on 7 March at Rotorua, and looks a top three prospect from barrier two. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.30.

2:38 p.m. R6 4 Angel Wings (3 f Heroic Valour - Gowana) - Michael McNab; she fought well for second to stable-mate Merlotti (Burgundy) in the Maiden 1200 metres on 18 March at Tauranga, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. She is learning from experience and should receive all favours from barrier one. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.40.

3:18 p.m. R7 1 Luxembourg (4 g Burgundy - Miss Daphne) - Craig Grylls; he balanced out nicely to close the margin in the straight when trialling on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $14,000 Rating 60 1400 metres. He should be aided by good footing, but requires luck from the wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:18 p.m. R7 11 Caravella (3 f Caravaggio - Highland Lights) - Michael McNab; trailed third from barrier one and held spot running home in trial on 21 March at Taupo, and likewise resumes in the $14,000 Rating 60 1400 metres. She won her Maiden on good ground over 1200 metres, tries hard, and seems capable of a bold showing. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

4:21 p.m. R9 14 Sorcha (3 f Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Michael McNab; she trailed when finishing fourth to subsequent winner Kiva Han (Bull Point) in the Maiden 1400 metres on 25 March at Tauranga, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1600 metres. The half sister to unbeaten Cu Chulainn, she is, like Qali Al Farrasha (above), a Te Akau bred horse.  She is racing well and looks a top three chance from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.65.

4:53 p.m. R10 14 Star In The Sky (3 f Savabeel - Pikari Star) - Craig Grylls; she finished behind the pack in the Maiden 1400 metres on 29 March at Matamata, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1600 metres. Seemingly capable of improvement, she does however require luck from wide gate (12). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.