Te Akau Hastings Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing on Thursday 1 February at Hastings.

Weather: cloudy, track: Good3, rail: true

1.02 p.m. R1 5 Silver Missile (3 g Smart Missile - Ocelot) - Michael McNab; found the line when finishing fifth fresh-up in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth, and improved with a solid late burst for third in the Maiden 1600 metres on 11 January at Wanganui. His style of racing suggests he will appreciate extra distance in the $10,000 Maiden 2000 metres and appears an each way chance from barrier seven.

1.02 p.m. R1 9 English Rose (3 f Makfi - Bislieri) - Cameron Lammas; was seen doing her best work late when resuming off 62 days in the Maiden 1340 metres on 11 January at Wanganui. Notable when sixth on debut to subsequent group one placed Ever Loyal (Sebring), the sister to 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa (Makfi) is bred to enjoy stretching over more ground in the $10,000 Maiden 2000 metres and she too looks an each way chance from barrier six.

2.12 p.m. R3 1 Zavistic (4 g Zacinto - Miss Avalon) - Cameron Lammas; trialled well in a strong field on 16 January at Te Aroha, and the last start winner resumes off 111 days in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Placed on the course at his only attempt when resuming as a three-year-old last January, after four consecutive thirds when racing at two, he is very consistent and should go well fresh-up from barrier four.

3.22 p.m. R5 5 Lady Amadeus (4 m Medaglia D'oro - Rialto Bridge) - Samantha Collett; was freshened to resume off 54 days in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 January at Wanganui, closing from fifth with a solid finish for second. Unlucky when fourth in this grade at Riccarton, after a comprehensive Maiden win, she has placed three times over the trip and looks an each way prospect in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres.

3.22 p.m. R5 9 Unfazed (4 m Zabeel - Fazed) - Michael McNab; received no room in the straight before rushing home late for sixth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 19 January at Tauranga, with McNab aboard, and drawn barrier one in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She was a Maiden winner over 1400 metres by nearly four lengths in January last year and has the right credentials to rate an each way chance.

5.12 p.m. R8 2 Lillet Rose (4 m Pins - Lillet) - Cameron Lammas; has displayed solid racing attributes to commence her career with three second placed finishes, the most recent on 11 January in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres at Wanganui. Contesting the corresponding event, she certainly appears capable of breaking through with a touch of luck from barrier 10.