Te Akau Ashburton Thursday Preview

?Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Thursday 3 July at Ashburton. 

?Ashburton: 

Weather: fine, track: Heavy10, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast. 

10:58 a.m. R1 2 Can’t Kach Me (5 m Tavistock – Kachina) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she began smartly from barrier one to trail and ran home strongly for a close third in the $35,000 Rating 65 & Jumpers 2000 metres on 21 June at Riccarton, also with the Te Akau apprentice aboard. One of two stablemates contesting the corresponding event, she enjoys weight relief to 55.5kg, is a course/distance first and second place-getter from two attempts, and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.60.

10:58 a.m. R1 3 Our Milly Bee (5 m Merchant Navy – Rina Bettina) – Bruno Queiroz; she travelled three-wide with cover, beyond midfield, and sustained a big run for a close up second also in the $35,000 Rating 65 & Jumpers 2000 metres on 21 June at Riccarton. She too lines up under the same conditions, is course/distance placed at her only previous attempt, and she likewise has top three credentials. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.60. 

11:29 a.m. R2 7 Celtic Bling (3 f Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth) – Hayley Hassman (a3); she ran home strongly for second in the $17,000 Maiden 2YO & Up 1200 metres on 29 May at Riccarton (poly-track), and emulated that effort in the corresponding event on 10 June at Timaru, also with Hassman in the saddle. Her dam Niamh Elizabeth (Per Incanto) won on heavy ground and she hails from a family that has acted well on yielding footing. The apprentice claim drops her to a competitive 53.5kg, she is racing well, and she certainly can snare a top three placing in the $20,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.60.

3:34 p.m. R9 1 Bello Mio (5 g Deep Field – Bella Francesca) – Hayley Hassman (a3); he remained in midfield with a solid effort in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 21 June at Riccarton, again with Hassman riding, and he drops in grade here for the $35,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He has won over both this course and this distance, the apprentice claim drops him 57kg, he’s been a winner on heavy ground, and he is certainly capable of proving competitive if he handles the prevailing track conditions. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.25.