Te Akau North Island Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 16 horses entered on Saturday 20 May: Te Rapa, and Awapuni. 

Te Rapa:

Weather: cloudy, track: Heavy9, rail: out 4 metres. 6mls rain forecast Saturday. 

12:10 p.m. R1 7 Prismatic (4 g Savabeel - Kaleidoscope) - Michael McNab; he ran the fastest last 600m (34.3) for third when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 25 April at Avondale, and powered home to win the Rating 65 1600 metres here on 6 May. He has returned in great fettle, and is up in grade for the $30,000 Rating 75 2000 metres, but won his Maiden over 2200 metres and rates a top three prospect. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

12:10 p.m. R1 9 She's Outrageous (4 m Reliable Man - She's Insatiable) - Jess Allen (a4); she was without much room in the Rating 1600 metres on 14 April at Awapuni, and lifted appreciably to win the Rating 65 1600 metres here on 29 April. Also up in grade for the $30,000 Rating 75 2000 metres, she is bred for the trip, has weight relief to 50.5kg, and shapes to race well again. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

2:33 p.m. R5 4 Aotea Lad (6 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Jess Allen (a4); he flattened out with an undeniable finish to easily win the Open 1400 metres on 15 April, and was tops again when second in the corresponding race here on 29 April, ridden in each by the Te Akau apprentice. He enjoys weight relief to 54.5kg in the $35,000 Open 1300 metres, and is racing well, but he requires luck from his wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

2:33 p.m. R5 10 Wairau Cove (4 g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Michael McNab; he did well for fifth in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 14 April at Awapuni, and came from last on Soft5 to win the Rating 75 1300 metres here on 29 April. He steps up in grade for the $35,000 Open 1300 metres, and likes the course, but the question is whether he can handle more testing ground. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

3:08 p.m. R6 1 Freeze Frame (3 g Vadamos - Snow Petal) - Warren Kennedy; he resumed with a big finish on Heavy8 going for second (fastest last 600m: 36.2) in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 6 May, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. He won his Maiden over 1200 metres on a Heavy10 track in January at Matamata, brings a very consistent record, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50.

3:08 p.m. R6 20 Merlotti (3 g Burgundy - Ruppertsberg) - Michael McNab; he finished sixth in the Rating 65 1230 metres on 28 April at Rotorua, and also contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1300 metres. He resumed easily winning the Maiden 1200 metres on 18 March at Tauranga on Heavy10 going, is ideally drawn (2) and appears capable of a good effort if appreciative of course at his first attempt. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.

3:43 p.m. R7 2 Zeitaku (4 g Savabeel - Miss Opulence) - Michael McNab; he sustained a strong finish for fifth in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 15 April, and ran the fastest last 600m (36.3) for fourth in the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres here on 6 May. He is both a course and distance winner and rates a top four chance in the corresponding event. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

3:43 p.m. R7 11 Image of You (5 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Jess Allen (a4); she rounded off strongly for fifth against a good field in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 19 April at Matamata, and overcame a wide draw to win the Rating 65 1400 metres on 28 April at Rotorua. Up in grade for the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, she has weight relief to 51kg with the Te Akau apprentice engaged. She is handily drawn (2), boasts a very good course record, and is well positioned to race well again. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.

4:18 p.m. R8 10 Hayate (4 m Maurice - Vamoose) - Jess Allen (a4); she ran home in tight quarters for sixth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 28 April at Rotorua, won by Image of You (above). Stepping up in the $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she ia another with weight relief (to 53kg), and is capable of further improvement if she handles the course at her first attempt. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

Awapuni:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: out 1 metre (inside bend). 21mls rain forecast Saturday.

12:23 p.m. R2 1 Fellini (3 g Belardo - Silke Top) - Johnathan Parkes; he provided trainer Mark Walker with a record setting (161^st) win in the 3YO 1400 metres on 8 April at Pukekohe, and ran the fastest last 600m (35.7) for fourth in the 3YO 1600 metres on 29 April at Te Rapa. Placed at his only course attempt, he brings genuine attributes, is a stakes' performer, and presents as a top three prospect in the $30,000 3YO 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.

12:23 p.m. R2 2 Bello Mio (3 g Deep Field - Bella Francesca) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he finished strongly for second in the 3YO 1400 metres on 25 April at Avondale, and also contests the $30,000 3YO 1300 metres. He resumed with a good fifth in the 3YO 1200 metres here on 1 April, has won on heavy going and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00. 

12:23 p.m. R2 8 Stella Splendida (3 f Zoustar - Scintillula) - Temyia Taiaroa (a2); she showed a good turn of foot on Soft7 when resuming with victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 26 April at Hawera, and likewise contests the $30,000 3YO 1300 metres. She will need to handle more testing conditions, but she is a classy filly and is capable of a podium finish. Fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.55. 

12:55 p.m. R3 2 Baronet (3 g Contributer - Alpha Dame) - Craig Grylls; he kept up a strong gallop to win a trial on 11 April at Avondale, and resumed running second to Stella Splendida (above) in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 26 April at Hawera. He recorded a promising debut victory over 1200 metres on a Heavy10 track in September at Matamata, and looks to have top three prospects in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80. 

1:30 p.m. R4 6 Sophisticardo (4 g Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Johnathan Parkes; he ran home strongly for fifth in the Rating 75 1300 metres on 29 April at Te Rapa, won by Wairau Cove (above), and contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. He produced a top run for second when resuming here in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 1 April, and is a previous course winner. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40. 

3:55 p.m. R8 2 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he did well coming from back in the field for sixth on a Heavy10 track in the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr. 3, 2000m) on 22 April at Riccarton, and contests the $65,000 Happy 90^th Birthday Edith Bull Rangitikei Cup (Listed, 1550m). He had a hurdle trial on 15 May at Cambridge, and is having great season, but he will need to cope with the testing conditions likely later in the afternoon. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80. 

4:25 p.m. R9 3 Aris Aris (4 m Contributer - Irish Encore) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she continued her top form finishing second in the Open 1200 metres on 6 May at Te Rapa, and contests the $35,000 Rating 83 1200 metres. She brings great record into this equation, but is required to handle the testing conditions in there last. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.80.