Te Akau Waverley Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Friday 13 November at Waverley. 

Waverley: 

Weather: cloudy, track: Heavy9, rail: out 1 metre 1600m to crossing, remainder true. No rain forecast.

12:43 p.m. R1 5 Viridian (3 f Noverre – Niamh Elizabeth) – Michael McNab; she finished strongly from back in the field (fastest last 600m: 34.7) for second when debuting in Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 23 October at New Plymouth, also with Michael aboard, and contests the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres. She looked good winning a trial in September at Avondale, commenced her racing career on a really bright note, and rates a top three chance from barrier three. Fixed odds: $3.10 & $1.30. 

1:15 p.m. R2 11 Arrazola (4 m Almanzor – Shanzam) – Michael McNab; she closed strongly for third in a Maiden 1600 metres on 3 October at Matamata, has been patiently handled and given time (41 days) since that effort, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1650 metres. The sister to Group Three winner Mary Shan, her Group Three winning grand-dam Shanzero (Danzero) impressed over 1600 metres, this mare is racing well and from barrier six expect a bold showing. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.25.

2:22 p.m. R4 7 Petite Rocher (4 m Grunt – Little Rock) – Michael McNab; she finished strongly to win a Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres on 9 October at Taupo, striking the bonus, but stood in the gates and took no part in Rating 65 1200 metres on 28 October at Pukekohe. Put a line through that, she has placed in four of seven starts before winning and is more than capable of measuring up in this next grade if she jumps well.  Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.75.  

3:30 p.m. R6 2 Altari (5 g Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Michael McNab; he continued a terrific fresh-up record when winning the $40,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on 14 October at Tauranga, and contests the corresponding event. He certainly won well first-up, two of his three wins have been on soft footing, and he looks a definite first four chance in what shapes as a strong field. Fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.75.

4:05 p.m. R7 6 Savoir Faire (7 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Floor Moerman (a2); he circled widest from last and ran home solidly when resuming in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 24 October at Ellerslie, won by stable-mate Top Shelf (Savabeel). Contesting the $50,000 Open Handicap 1650 metres, he really is a stable statesman and has raced successfully on both sides of the Tasman. He has the benefit of weight relief to 55kg, he has recorded six wins over 2000-2100 metres, and he looks poised and ready for a good effort if he handles the track conditions - one of two in the race for the stable.  Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.60.

4:05 p.m. R7 7 Bright Stripes (6 g Starspangledbanner – Dutch Rose) – Michael McNab; he resumed with a good effort for third in a Open Handicap 1500 metres on 25 September at Te Rapa, and found the line from last in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 17 October at Otaki. The second of our stable starters contesting the Open Handicap 1650 metres, he was the Listed Tetrach Stakes (1600m) winner in the UK, and he presents as a realistic top four chance in an even field. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.05.  

4:40 p.m. R8 1 Cease And Desist (4 g Zoustar – No Evidence Needed) – Michael McNab; he won comfortably after putting a handy buffer on the field in the Rating 60 1600 metres on 21 October at Te Aroha, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1650 metres. Now with two wins over 1600 metres, he brings winning form to the contest, and is capable of proving competitive with things going his way luck-wise from the wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.75. 

Main picture - Bright Stripes winning