Te Akau Hastings Monday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Monday 5 June at Hastings.

Weather: fine, track: Soft6 - steeple track Good4, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast Monday. 

11:36 a.m. R1 3 The Mighty Spar (5 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Michael Roustoby (a1); he fought solidly for sixth in the Rotorua Cup (Listed, 2200m) on 13 May and has since won a hurdle trial on 29 May at Cambridge. He won the South Waikato Cup (2000m) in March, finished second in his only hurdle start, and rates a top three chance in the $30,000 0-1 Win Hurdle (2500m) - one of two in the event for the stable. 

11:36 a.m. R1 5 Devoted (5 g Contributer - Mapmaker) - Buddy Lammas; he raced clear to win easily (4.5 lengths) on Heavy10 footing in the Rating 60 2100 metres on 23 April at Awapuni, before posting a solid sixth in the Rating 65 2200 metres on 13 May at Rotorua. While he was unplaced in  hurdle trial on 29 May at Cambridge, he is racing well and is capable of continuing that form in the $30,000 0-1 Win Hurdle (2500m).

12:07 p.m. R2 7 Leaderboard (8 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Michael Roustoby (a1); he won a hurdle trial on 29 May at Cambridge, and contests the $30,000 0-1 Win Hurdle (2500m). He won the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) in January at Trentham, has continued to race well, and appears suited for his jumps' debut. 

12:43 p.m. R3 1 Al Malik (3 g Zoustar - Mumtazaah) - Warren Kennedy; he ran home well for third in a trial on 24 April at Waipa, but was no dice when resuming on the poly-track in the Maiden 3YO 1300 metres on 17 May at Cambridge. Back on the turf, he seems capable of bouncing back in the $15,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, having raced well during his first campaign.

1:18 p.m. R4 3 Bak Da Master (8 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Michael Roustoby (a1); he finished second and third respectively in steeple trials on 15 & 29 May at Cambridge, and contests the $30,000 0-1 Win Steeplechase (4000m). Conditioned, and with a first and second in two steeplechase attempts, he looks a top three prospect one of two lining up for the team in this. 

1:18 p.m. R4 6 Aquilo (5 g Frankel - Stormy Lucy) - Dean Parker; he finished fourth in the Open Hurdle (2800m) on 6 May at Te Rapa and, keeping fit for jumps' racing, he contested the Rating 60 2000 metres on 17 May at Cambridge. Unplaced since in a steeple trial on 29 May at Cambridge, he appears capable of a solid effort in the $30,000 0-1 Win Steeplechase (4000m) although a maiden event would have been preferred. 

1:52 p.m. R5 3 Prismatic (4 g Savabeel - Kaleidoscope) - Warren Kennedy; he powered home to win the Rating 65 1600 metres on 6 May, but was unable to quicken on Heavy10 going in the Rating 75 2000 metres on 20 May, both at Te Rapa. He receives the opportunity to bounce back as a top three contender in the $30,000 Rating 75 2200 metres.

3:39 p.m. R8 1 Aotea Lad (6 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Niranjan Parmer (a2); he continued his good form with a notable fourth in the $35,000 Open 1300 metres on 20 May at Te Rapa, and contests the corresponding event. Placed two from two on this course, including the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m), he has weight relief to 58.5kg, and looks a realistic first three option from barrier five - one of two for the stable contesting this event. 

3:39 p.m. R8 3 Wairau Cove (4 g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Warren Kennedy; he came from last on a Soft5 track to win the Rating 75 1300 metres on 29 April and ran on between runners in the $35,000 Open 1300 metres on 20 May, both at Te Rapa. Racing well, he is more than capable of a podium finish in the corresponding event. 

4:14 p.m. R9 1 Zeitaku (4 g Savabeel - Miss Opulence) - Warren Kennedy; he continued his solid form with a strong finish for third in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 20 May at Te Rapa. Drawn the ace, he presents as a top three chance in the $30,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, which features two runners for the stable. 

4:14 p.m. R9 7 Image of You (5 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Craig Grylls; she overcame a wide draw to win the Rating 65 1400 metres on 28 April at Rotorua, but was unable to quicken on Heavy10 footing in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 20 May at Te Rapa. Contesting the $30,000 Rating 75 1600 metres, she has been a winner at a mile, and should go well with decent trip from barrier nine.