Tauherenikau Tips & Preview | Friday 6 February

Arctic Jewel (#6) is a 3yo Frosted filly who was a touch disappointing last start at Matamata when finishing 5th, though she may have found the Soft7 conditions against her on the day. She now drops into a much more moderate maiden compared to what she’s been contesting up north and looks well placed down in the weights after Hayley Hassman’s claim. Back to 1000m should allow her to keep up a strong gallop to the line and if she runs up to her prior efforts, she looks hard to beat. 

Honour Roll (#1) is a 2yo son of Savabeel making his debut for Te Akau after three trials, with his most recent hit-out particularly sharp and showing clear improvement on his earlier trials. The inside draw is a major positive for a 2yo’s on debut and Bruno Queiroz taking the ride also aids his chances. Expecting they’ll look to hold the fence in front and task the others with chasing him down. 

Lady Iris (#3) is a speedy 3yo filly resuming for Stephen Marsh, last seen finishing down the track in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase back in September. Her recent trial was tidy without being extended, and the 1000m first-up in a fresh state looks ideal. Jonathan Riddell should have up on speed from the outset and this field appears a few pegs below what she tackled last campaign. She looks very hard to beat. 

London (#11) is a 3yo Capitalist filly on debut for Kevin and Stephen Gray who has impressed l in two trials, not asked for much yet finding the line strongly on both occasions. She strikes what looks a winnable maiden first-up and Bruno Queiroz knows her well after riding her in both trials. A bold debut performance can be expected. 

Albarossa (#9) comes here off a last-start 7th at Trentham, where he appeared to have every chance trailing the leader and eventual winner before paddling in the straight. He’s capable of better than that and while he now steps out in R75 grade, he looks well placed down in the weights under Bruno Queiroz and jumping from a low draw. With conditions likely improving by this stage of the day, a better showing wouldn’t surprise at each-way odds. 

Blue Jeanie (#5) has been finding the line well for 6th at each of her past two starts since winning at Whanganui three runs back. She looks well placed here carrying just 53.5kg after Amber Riddell’s claim and should enjoy a quiet, economical run off the speed from her low draw. In a race lacking a clear standout, she looks the one they’ll have to hold out late.

Khanshe (#2) comes here off a dominant last-start win in the Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy at Trentham, where she stormed home from the back and put her rivals away late. That form has already been franked with runner-up Doctor Askar winning the Gr.2 Thornden Mile since. From a soft draw here she should be able to settle a touch closer in running under Matt Cameron also. No reason she can’t go back-to-back. 

Vesphire (#9) caught the eye finishing strongly from the rear at Ruakaka last start in a race where the moderate tempo made it near impossible for those in the back half. She produced the fastest last 200m of the meeting that day, so the clock backed up the eye there. She now draws to settle closer under Samantha Collett, importantly landing in front of a couple of key rivals. With a more genuine tempo, she looks well placed to be in the finish here.