Te Akau Hastings Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Wednesday 2 March at Hastings (twilight meeting).

Weather: cloudy, track: Dead5, rail: true. No rain forecast.

3:17 p.m. R2 6 Weneedashock (3 g Shocking - Prado Red) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); got handy and fought well for fifth when debuting in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 12 January at Matamata, and thenkept giving for fourth here in a Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 10 February. Suited to the step up, he rates a top three chance from barrier three in the $15,000 Maiden 1600 metres.

3:52 p.m. R3 3 Ragamuffin (3 g Belardo - Short Tale) - Niranjan Paramar (a3); spelled after two starts, he was most recently without luck in a Maiden 1215 metres on 16 November at Rotorua. He finished strongly to win when trialling on 14 February at Te Rapa, and resumes in the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. With weight relief to 55kg, he appears capable of solid effort from barrier five - one of three for the stable in the event.

3:52 p.m. R3 6 Pisco Sour (3 f I Am Invincible - Refreshing) - Michael McNab; raced well in three starts before a freshen-up, finished solidly for third at the trials on 14 February at Te Rapa, and also resumes in the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She rates a top three threat.

3:52 p.m. R3 9 Patriarca (3 f Savabeel - Baby Shacks) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); rounded off strongly for fourth when trialling on 14 February at Te Rapa, and debuts in the $15,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Ideally drawn (2), she shapes to race well. Dam Baby Shacks (O'Reilly) is a half-sister to inaugural winner of Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) Vincent Mangano (No Excuse Needed) and sister to multiple stakes' winner Joey Massino.

4:59 p.m. R5 1 Mohawk Brave (3 g Extreme Choice - Ben's Duchess) - Niranjan Paramar (a3); appeared smart when winning his first two starts and resumed with a big run from last in the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Karaka Million night (22 Jan.) at Ellerslie, won by stable-mate Sword of State (Snitzel). With weight relief to 55.5kg look for him finishing strongly in the $30,000 3YO 1400 metres - the first of a stable duo.

4:59 p.m. R5 2 Sophisticardo (3 g Burgundy - Glamorous Girl) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); was hemmed up on the inner after getting back from a wide draw (17) in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on Karaka Million night (22 Jan.) at Ellerslie, won by stable-mate Pin Me Up (Pins). Given time (39 days), he was up to the best of his age group last season, and will be a strong finisher with luck from (again) the outside gate (9) in $30,000 3YO 1400 metres.

6:08 p.m. R7 1 Self Obsession (3 f Shocking - Mawaakib) - Michael McNab; won the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, followed with victory in the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 12 February at Te Rapa, and contests the $110,000 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m). The winner of three from four, she has drawn beautifully in barrier two, she rates a top three contender - one of two for the team in the stakes' event. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.25.

6:08 p.m. R7 10 Illicit Miss (3 f Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Johnathan Parkes; made it three consecutive seconds when fighting out the finish in a Maiden 2100 metres on 2 February at Te Rapa, and steps up in the $110,000 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m). She brings the record to perform well and could fly under the radar. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $3.50.