Te Akau Hastings' Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Thursday 14 December at Hastings - twilight meeting.

As on Wednesday 13 December the conditions were: fine and Good4, rail true. 4mls rain forecast Wednesday, 6mls race day.

3.07 p.m. R1 2 Fashionably (4 m Redoute's Choice - Scarlett Lady) - Michael McNab; was backed and beaten in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 24 November at New Plymouth, although still produced a solid effort for third. In March, she finished strongly for a close fifth here in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m), at her only course attempt, before another fifth in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m). From barrier four in the $10,000 Rating 65 2000 metres, she is again presented with an ideal winning opportunity and the addition of blinkers could provide added impetus.

4.57 p.m. R4 10 Poppin' Bubbles (3 f Rock ‘N' Pop - Princess Caga) - Cameron Lammas; sustained a strong gallop for second when trialling on 28 November at Matamata, and resumes off 118 days in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Her trial form is solid, both race day starts have seen the winners prosper, and from barrier three, with side winkers on, she is capable of a bold performance.

6.10 p.m. R6 8 Verbal Command (3 f Commands - Donna Sienna) - Michael McNab; made ground from the rear, in a comparable last 600m (34.8) to the winner, when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 30 November at Avondale. A staying filly in the making, drawn barrier one in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres should ensure an economical trip and she has shown enough to get some of the action in this field.

6.45 p.m. R7 5 Seirios (3 g Pierro - Irish Lights) - Cameron Lammas; trialled solidly with Lammas aboard on 28 November at Matamata, and resumes with blinkers on in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. Gelded since racing twice as a two-year-old, including the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Riccarton, he receives a chance display his intent from barrier seven.

6.45 p.m. R7 7 Beau Geste (3 g Pour Moi - Villa Wanda) - Michael McNab; debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres after galloping home strongly for third when trialling on 28 November at Matamata. A half-brother to Champion galloper Wall Street (Montjeu), who recorded two Group One victories on this course, he has a wide draw (14) to contend with but should be finding the line.

7.16 p.m. R8 2 Lady Painton (5 m Tavistock - Lady Verify) - Cameron Lammas; was off the scene for a lengthy period through injury and resumes in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Showing talent when last in commission, she actually won her Maiden over 1400 metres by 15 lengths with Lammas aboard in 2015 at Waipa. Whatever she does, improvement should come from it.

7.16 p.m. R8 11 Gris Dame (3 f Reliable Man - Double Babu) - Michael McNab; sustained a big finish to win the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 14 November at Te Aroha, with McNab aboard, having made ground from last on debut over 1200 metres at Tauranga. Up in grade and from a wide draw (14) provides a sterner task in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, but she presents off winning form and rates an each way chance in this field.