Te Akau Hastings Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Wednesday 28 February at Hastings. 

Hastings:

Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: true. 15mls rain forecast Tuesday, showers later Wednesday.

3:12 p.m. R2 5 Cognito (4 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Warren Kennedy; he recorded a big effort for close sixth in the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Pukekohe, and ran ok okay from well back in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (4YO, 1600m) on 27 January at Ellerslie. Given time (32 days), he was a Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) winner as three-year-old, has been in good form this season, and rates a top three chance from barrier one in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.40. 

3:47 p.m. R3 8 Vivacious (3 f Dundeel – Vivi Veloce) – Warren Kennedy; she ran the fastest last 600m (33.5) on the day when resuming in the Special Conditions 1200 metres on 10 February at Te Rapa, and is one of two stable runners to contest the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She won her Maiden over 1400 metres and presents as a top three chance. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

3:47 p.m. R3 10 Glitzy Glory (3 f Embellish – Colheita) – Opie Bosson; she produced a notable effort for third in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 7 February at Matamata, and also contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She resumed with a tough victory, is a determined filly, the blinkers are on, and she shapes to race well if she can secure some luck from her wide draw (11). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

4:24 p.m. R4 1 The Mighty Spar (6 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Jess Allen (a3); he rounded off well and was good through the line when trialling on 20 February at Tauranga, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. He ran on strongly for a close fourth in the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2600m) and was then spelled following his tilt at the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) in November. Fourth here to stable-mate Fierce Flight (Flying Artie) in the Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m), he enjoys weight relief to 58.5kg and is capable of solid showing over the mile here before stepping up in trip. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $4.80.

4:59 p.m. R5 3 Insatiable (4 g All Too Hard – All Day Baby) – Opie Bosson; he drew wide (11) and sustained a big run from last (fastest last 600m: 34.0) for third when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 10 February at Te Rapa, and is one of three stable mates to contest the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. He's fashioned a good record and is ideally drawn (5) to make an impact at the business end. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.50. 

4:59 p.m. R5 6 Malborough Bay (4 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) – Sam Weatherley; he ran home solidly but without any pressure and was good through the line in a trial on 20 February at Tauranga, and resumes in the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres. Stakes' placed, he is a consistent performer that handles give in the ground, and has the ability to act well in a fresh state. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.00. 

4:59 p.m. R5 8 Polly Plum (5 m Xtravagant – Herstory) – Warren Kennedy; she worked forward outside the leader and finished third in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 16 February at New Plymouth. Also contesting the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, she placed at her only previous course attempt, the blinkers are on, and she is capable of proving competitive from barrier one. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.70.

5:34 p.m. R6 7 Star Of Justice (3 f Justify – Fair Isle) – Opie Bosson; she found the line for fifth when resuming in the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 27 January, and ran a competitive last 600m while remaining back in the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 17 February, both at Ellerslie. She showed her ability recording two wins from four starts in her first campaign, including the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m), and is nicely drawn (2) to prove competitive in the $40,000 3YO 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.

6:09 p.m. R7 8 Inspired By Art (3 f So You Think – La Bella Delicia) – Opie Bosson; she charged late to win the Maiden 1600 metres on 24 January at Matamata, before stepping up with a notable effort in the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 10 February at Te Rapa. She is perfectly drawn (5) to bring first four claims to the table in the $150,000 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) as she hunts down valuable black type. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.