Queen's Birthday Monday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing at two venues on Queen's Birthday Monday 6 June.

Ellerslie:

As on Sunday 5 June the conditions were: fine and Slow8, rail out 7 metres. Fine forecast race day.

3.07 p.m. R7 3 Brer (7 g China Cat - La Fox) - Daniel Miller; jumped well and was very game when finishing second in the $50,000 Waikato Steeplechase (4000m) at Te Rapa. He pleased the rider when schooling here over the hill last Tuesday and brings the right form and fitness to play a major role in the time-honoured McGregor Grant Steeplechase (4150m).

Tauherenikau:

As on Sunday 5 June the conditions were: fine and Slow7, rail true. Fine forecast race day.

12.25 p.m. R2 6 Lady Pinot (3 f Starspangledbanner - Madame Echezeaux) - Matt Cameron; has been freshened since contesting the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres in April at Hastings, after a fresh up course/distance win here and she is ideally placed in barrier six to give a good account.

1:02 p.m. R3 6 Fastnet Fire (3 f Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Matt Cameron; finished strongly for second on debut in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres at Matamata, before staying on in eye-catching fashion over a mile at Hastings, and appears a readymade favourite stepping up in distance for the Maiden 2050 metres.

2.17 p.m. R5 7 Grazia (3 f Savabeel - Trocair) - Matt Cameron; got out of her ground before working home late in the Maiden 1400 metres for apprentice jockeys at Ruakaka, and has shown enough ability to be competitive from barrier six in the Maiden 1600 metres.

2.52 p.m. R6 3 Spritz (3 f Thorn Park - Spray) - Matt Cameron; staged a massive run when bounding home for third in the Maiden 1400 metres at Hastings, with this jockey aboard, and sets up nicely, after three top performances this time in, to offer plenty in the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1600 metres (eligible $11,500 bonus).

3.24 p.m. R7 5 Highly Likely (5 g High Chaparral - Starrinka) - Matt Cameron; was nothing if not resilient when sticking on for third off a tough trip in the $20,000 Rating 65 High-Weight 2200 metres at Rotorua, and never to be underestimated he should go well again in the Rating 75 2050 metres.

4.02 p.m. R8 5 Linchpin (3 g Pins - Laurinel Princess) - Matt Cameron; did the donkey work in front and scored a well-deserved win in the Maiden 1600 metres at Hastings, with stable-mate Fastnet Fire (Fastnet Rock) closing the margin for second. Although up in grade for the Rating 65 1600 metres, he has struck the kind of field which should see him prove competitive again.