Te Akau Hastings' Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses entered for the ten-race programme on Thursday May 22 at Hastings.

As on Wednesday May 21 the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail out 7.5 metres.

11:05pm R1 3 Sunset Pass (5 g Yamanin Vital - Janet's Chance) - Daniel Miller (a2.5); was unable to pick up on the holding ground recently at New Plymouth, and following two runs on the flat he steps out in the Maiden Hurdle 2500 metres. His only hurdles start to date resulted in a fine effort for third over 2400 metres with this rider aboard in September last year at Te Rapa, and he receives weight relief to 65.5kgs to help his cause - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

11:05pm R1 7 Red on Black (4 g Red Clubs - Palais Jamai) - Troy Harris (a3); was uncomfortable resuming on near heavy footing over 2100 metres at Matamata, and now having his first jumps assignment. He has been trained with this in mind and the performance will determine his future in the role.

11:38pm R2 1 Brer (5 g China Cat - La Fox) - Daniel Miller (a2.5); worked through the line nicely, after racing wide in midfield, when resuming on May 10 in the Benchmark 65 Jumpers High-weight 2200 metres at Rotorua. Having won twice from six starts over hurdles, he contests the Open Hurdle 2500 metres where weight relief to 66.5kgs brings him into accordance with his rivals.

1:20pm R5 9 Merrily (3 f O'Reilly - Mchappy) - Matt Cameron; got back after being squeezed at the start but ran home stylishly for third when resuming on April 25 in the Maiden 1200 metres on Dead5 at Avondale. Up to 1400 metres, she brings the form credentials through four starts that should prove hard to beat.

2:30pm R7 6 Resonance (4 g Darci Brahma - Royal Rhythm) - Anna Jones (a3); makes his debut in the Maiden 1400 metres and receives weight relief to 55kgs. He is expected to take up a handy position from barrier three and this race appears an ideal starting point for him - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

2:30pm R7 Flying Therese (3 f Flying Spur - St Therese) - Matt Cameron; closed off nicely for second over 1200 metres in her most recent trial and now makes her debut. From the multiple stakes winner St Therese (Dehere), herself a winner on debut at Hastings, she has drawn favourably in barrier five and connections are looking for her to round off solidly in a good first up experience.

3:05pm R8 8 Show No Emotion (4 m Pins - Lynisky) - Matt Cameron; travelled quite keenly near the speed and held her place in third when resuming on April 30 in the Benchmark 65 1400 metres on Dead6 footing at Avondale, in the race won by Stella's Honour (O'Reilly). She should receive an economical trip from barrier two and has the right form to prove competitive in the Benchmark 65 1600 metres.