Te Akau Saturday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 16 horses entered on Saturday 18 March: Tauranga, and Trentham.

Tauranga:

Weather: showery, track: Soft5, rail: true. 15mls rain forecast Friday and 5mls Saturday.

12:45 p.m. R1 3 Inca Belle (3 f Per Incanto - Belle Vie) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); was clear mid-straight and found the line in trial on 7 March at Rotorua, and resumes in the $30,000 3YO 1200 metres. Unbeaten in two starts at 1100m & 1200m, she rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.35.

1:22 p.m. R2 5 Rare Company (3 g Savabeel - Fast Company) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); ran home well down outside for fourth in trial on 21 February at Avondale, and resumes in the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Debuted as a two-year-old in the Futurity Stakes (Listed, 1400m), speed in family, but requires luck from wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

1:22 p.m. R2 10 Angel Wings (3 f Heroic Valour - Gowana) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1); received tough trip circling from last in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 2 March at Rotorua, and contests the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She is aided by barrier five and looking to improve. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.

1:22 p.m. R2 11 Morning Star (3 f Per Incanto - Exposed) - Niranjan Parmar (a2); new to stable after leading throughout in trial win over 1000 metres on 21 February at Avondale, and debuts in the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She trialled well for second here in January, weight relief to 54kg, and likely to go forward from barrier 11. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

1:59 p.m. R3 3 Aotea Lad (6 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Niranjan Parmar (a2); came clear to win nicely at the trials on 7 March at Rotorua, and resumes in the $40,000 Open 1200 metres. Stakes winner and multiple stakes placed, acts fresh and aided by weight relief to 54kg. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.70.

2:33 p.m. R4 2 Wairau Cove (4 g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); prevailed narrowly after tough battle in the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on 25 February at Otaki, and remains in same grade to contest the corresponding event. He requires luck from outside draw (11), but has talent to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.85.

Trentham:

Weather: raining, track: Soft5, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast Friday and 7mls Saturday.

1:00 p.m. R1 9 Glitzy Glory (2 f Embellish - Colheita) - Opie Bosson; situated outside leader and went on to win well at trials on 21 February at Avondale, and debuts in the $50,000 2YO 1200 metres. She has been professional winning both trials and rates a top three chance with decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.30.

1:40 p.m. R2 15 Alminette (3 f Burgundy - High Heels) - Opie Bosson; was unable to quicken on Heavy10 footing in the Special Conditions 1400 metres on 25 February at Matamata, and contests the $50,000 Special Conditions 1400 metres. She has done nothing wrong and should race well from barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

2:58 p.m. R4 6 Fierce Flight (4 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Opie Bosson; was unlucky finishing second to subsequent Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) placed Ladies Man (Zed) in the Open Handicap 2200 metres on 4 March at Te Rapa, and contests the $80,000 Barneswood Farm New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m). Racing very well, won three of last six, and rates a top three chance with luck from wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

3:33 p.m. R5 3 Aromatic (6 m Sacred Falls - Vickezzchardonnay) - Opie Bosson; resumed with notable effort in the Open Handicap 1500 metres on 4 March at Te Rapa, and contests the $100,000 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m). Runner-up in the Rangitikei Gold Cup (Listed, 1600m) at only course attempt, very consistent stakes winning mare, strikes strong field but advantaged by give in ground. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

4:12 p.m. R6 14 Romancing The Moon (3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight) - Kozzi Asano; raced clear to win the NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 4 March at Wingatui, and steps up in the $350,000 Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fourth in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), having very good season and untroubled by any moisture. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.00.

4:12 p.m. R6 15 Skew Wiff (3 f Savabeel - Starvoia) - Opie Bosson; resumed with smart victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 25 February at Matamata, and looked good in two exhibition gallops since. She produced a mighty run for second to subsequent Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Legarto (Proisir) in the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, quality filly and rates a top three chance if appreciative of conditions. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

4:48 p.m. R7 2 Burgundy Rose (6 m Burgundy - Paraiba) - Opie Bosson; was brave finishing second under 59kg in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 4 March at Wingatui, and contests the $80,000 Jennian Homes Wellington Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m). She produced top run to finish second in the corresponding event last year, terrific course/distance record, always gives her best, but requires luck from wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80.

5:23 p.m. R8 5 Family Ties (3 f Contributer - Glamazon) - Opie Bosson; ran fastest last 600m (33.6) closing hard for sixth in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) on 1 March at Awapuni, and contests the $450,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). Impressive winning the Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m) on 4 February at New Plymouth, she rates a top three chance from barrier six. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

5:23 p.m. R8 16 Mehzebeen (3 f Almanzor - Salkantay) - Jason Laking; kept finding to score comfortably in the Maiden 2200 metres on 1 March at Awapuni, and steps up in the $450,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). Drawn wide (12), but brings winning form and expected to appreciate the trip. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $8.00.

5:54 p.m. R9 11 Avondalay (3 f Redoute's Choice - Miss Maren) - Opie Bosson; closed strongly late for fourth in the Rating 65 1950 metres on 2 March at Rotorua, and contests the $50,000 Rating 65 2200 metres. Drawn (5) for economical trip and appears suited to both increase in distance and give in ground. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.