Te Akau Taranaki Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Wednesday 22 December at New Plymouth (twilight meeting).

Weather: overcast, track: Dead4, rail: out 12 metres. No rain forecast.

3:00 p.m. R2 1 Lord Cosmos  (2 g Pierro - Cosmic Powers) - Michael McNab; finished strongly for second when trialling on 4 November at Taupo, and then was a close second after leading on debut in a 2YO 1000 metres on 25 November at Otaki. Contesting the $12,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres, he rates a top three prospect despite drawing outside (7) - one of a stable duo stepping out in this. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.25.

3:00 p.m. R2 8 Caravella  (2 f Caravaggio - Highland Lights) - Opie Bosson; remained willing when running second at the trials on 13 December at Rotorua, and debuts in $12,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres from barrier four. By fast racehorse Caravaggio (Scat Daddy), a four-time winner as two-year-old and Joint Champion 3YO Sprinter in Ireland, he's from mare that produced former stable-mate Our Abbadean (Lookin at Lucky), who was a dual Group 2 winner and twice Group 1 placed. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.50.

3:35 p.m. R3 3 Cote de Beaune  (3 g Burgundy - Lucrative) - Danielle Johnson; worked forward to lead, was joined at the 600m, but came clear in the straight to win easily when trialling on 29 November at Matamata, and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Winning four of five trials, he rates top three chance with a decent trip from barrier nine - in an event with three stable representatives. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.60.

3:35 p.m. R3 12 A Little Bit Bossy  (3 f Rock ‘n' Pop - Molly Coco) - Lisa Allpress; began awkwardly, was six lengths off the leaders at the 600m but surged in straight and ran home well for fourth when trialling on 29 November at Matamata. Also debuting in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres, she requires luck from an awkward, wide gate (11). Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.50.

3:35 p.m. R3 16 Arceus  (3 g Per Incanto - Centree) - Craig Grylls; was given time after two starts and ran home solidly for third at the trials on 29 November at Matamata. Resuming in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres, he uses himself well and has the gate speed to take good benefit from the handy barrier two. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00.

4:10 p.m. R4 3 Eridor (3 g Telperion - Fille de France) - Johnathan Parkes; sustained a top gallop to easily win at the trials on 4 November at Matamata, but got well back on debut in a $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres on 24 November at Tauranga. Contesting the corresponding race, he too requires luck from a wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

4:10 p.m. R4 10 Polly Plum  (3 f Xtravagant - Herstory) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); picked a path near the rail, galloping home strongly for fourth at the trials on 4 November at Matamata, and she too resumes in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She receives the opportunity to improve with a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

4:10 p.m. R4 14 Prismatic  (3 f Savabeel - Kaleidoscope) - Kozzi Asano; worked home well for fourth when trialling on 29 November at Matamata, and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Like her stablemates, all with difficult draws, she too will require luck from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.

7:10 p.m. R9 7 Tauparae  (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Craig Grylls; never fired on rain-affected footing in a Rating 65 1500 metres on 4 December at Matamata, and contests the $12,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. She has the credentials to show improvement from barrier six. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.