Te Akau Hastings' Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has eight horses racing on Saturday 15 April at Hastings.

As on Saturday 15 April the conditions were: fine and Slow8, rail true. No more rain forecast.

1 p.m. R2 5 Heart of Courage (2 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Opie Bosson; was slowly away before settling midfield on the inner and notable in his effort for sixth when debuting in the $30,000 2YO 1200 metres on 18 March at Trentham. The year younger brother of stable-mate Heroic Valour, who finished Second Top Two-Year-Old in the 2015/16 NZ Free Handicaps after being unbeaten in three starts, including the $200,000 Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), he should have taken good improvement from the race and trip away and has blinkers on for the $20,000 2YO 1300 metres. Fixed odds: $9.80 & $2.40.

1 p.m. R2 8 Miss Scandinavia (2 f Smart Missile - Miss Helsinki) - Michael Coleman; makes her debut in the $20,000 2YO 1300 metres, following an impressive win and strong second, respectively, at the trials. A filly of exceptional pedigree: her grand-dam Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice) was the Champion 2YO & 3YO Filly in Australia, winning five races at Group One level including the Golden Slipper and VRC Oaks and $4.6m in stakes. Footing aside, she certainly looks an exciting prospect. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.40.

1.36 p.m. R3 6 Royal Success (4 g Savabeel - Royal Show) - Opie Bosson; was poised to threaten when his rider lost the persuader a furlong out in the $30,000 Rating 85 1400 metres on 18 March at Trentham, which resulted in a close second. At his previous start, when resuming off 91 days in the Rating 85 1400 metres on 4 March at Ellerslie, he reduced the margin powerfully from last, for fifth, after being awkwardly away. He commenced a run of four wins in a row at a similar time last season, unbeaten in three starts on slow ground, and looks a readymade favourite in the $25,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.25.

1.36 p.m. R3 8 Astrid (5 m Pins - Astralita) - Michael Coleman; made it two wins from her last three starts in the $25,000 Rating 85 1400 metres on 18 March at Te Rapa, having been impressive on the same course in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 22 January. She had her quickening abilities thwarted to some degree on slow footing in February at New Plymouth, but still rolled on solidly past the line and possesses a tenacity for racing that always sees her competitive. Although more effective on better going, she ran a very good race for third here on Slow9, last July, and can prove a factor in the $25,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $3.00.

1.36 p.m. R3 12 Echezeaux (5 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - Alysha Collett; sustained a good gallop under minimal urging for third when trialling over 1200 metres on 21 March at Matamata, and resumes off 84 days in the $25,000 Rating 85 1400 metres. She recorded two wins and a stakes placing from four starts in her last campaign, was not far away at her last start in the $250,000 Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) and showed to act fresh when resuming with a terrific win over a mile on Dead4 last November. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.65.

4.00 p.m. R7 8 Smashing (5 m Pins - Ruud Van Slaats) - Danielle Johnson; emulated her performance from a year earlier when finishing third in the $50,000 Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200 metres) on 18 March at Trentham, after winning the Open 1200 metres on 25 February at Matamata, and contests the $50,000 NZB Finance Sprint (Listed, 1200m). A wide draw makes it difficult and the going could be questionable for her, but she has the brilliance with luck in running. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $3.20.

4.35 p.m. R8 3 Vinevale (4 m Flying Spur - Eden Valley) - Opie Bosson; kept finding the line for third after a wide run when resuming off 49 days in the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres at Tauranga. She impressed winning on slow ground in April last year, before winding up late here for second in the Rating 75 1400 metres next time out, and certainly looks a player in the $22,500 Rating 75 1300 metres given her record. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.95.