Te Akau North South Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing seven horses entered on Saturday 29 January: Trentham and Riccarton.

Trentham:

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

1:05 p.m. R2 2 I Wish I Win  (3 g Savabeel - Make A Wish) - Opie Bosson; ended his previous campaign in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and looked good having an exhibition gallop on 19 January at Te Rapa. He made an immediate impact last season, winning on debut before finishing second to stable-mate On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau) in the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), and rates in the top three when resuming in the $50,000 3YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.25.

3:25 p.m. R6 6 Invincibeel (3 f Savabeel - Matakana) - Opie Bosson; made good ground for sixth in a Maiden 1400 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha, and unleashed powerfully from back in the field to win a Maiden 1600 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa. Up in class for the $80,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), she is ideally drawn (3), has the top rider engaged and has quality to prove competitive - one of two in the fillies' feature event for the stable. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.70.

3:25 p.m. R6 8 Polly Plum (3 f Xtravagant - Herstory) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); resumed running the fastest last 600m (35.1) with a dashing finish for third in a Maiden 1200 metres on 22 December at New Plymouth, and went the same again (34.1) winning off the front in a Maiden 3YO 1300 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa. A beautiful filly, she steps up in class for the $80,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), however is ideally drawn (5), and winning form is good form. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

4:00 p.m. R7 7 Prise De Fer  (6 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Opie Bosson; worked through with a big run for second in the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 11 December at Te Rapa, and was a solid sixth in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2000m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie. Three times Group 1 second and also a Group 2 winner at 1600 metres, and he rates a top four chance in the $220,000 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) - a race featuring two stable representatives. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.

4:00 p.m. R7 13 Mai Tai (5 m Atlante - Tropical Punch)- Ashvin Goindasamy; worked home solidly without threatening in the Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 11 December at Te Rapa, and was beaten only a nose by race rival Mali Ston (El Roca) in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Ellerslie. She carries the minimum (53.5kg) in the $220,000 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m), has a good record, and has first four claims with luck any from her tricky draw (11). Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.80.

4:35 p.m. R8 3 Exaltation  (5 m Not A Single Doubt - Meleka Belle) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); closed late in a Rating 74 1600 metres on 23 December at Matamata, before winning a corresponding event on 5 January at Otaki. She competes in the same grade and steps up in distance for the $50,000 Rating 74 2100 metres. A previous impressive winner, she also enjoys weight relief to 56.5kg, so rates a top three prospect with a decent trip from an awkward draw (12). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

Riccarton:

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

1:20 p.m. R3 1 Challa  (5 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Sanu Toolooa (a3); fought well after leading for third in a $30,000 Rating 74 1200 metres on 15 January at Wingatui, and contests a corresponding race. With apprentice weight relief to 58.5kg in his favour, he has placed in four of five course attempts, and looks a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.60.