Te Akau Hastings Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered for the Wairoa Racing Club meeting on Sunday 21 February at Hastings.

Weather: fine, track: Dead5, rail: out 5 metres. No rain forecast.

12.50 p.m. R1 9 Melodious (3 f Darci Brahma - Quintette) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); worked forward outside the leader and collared 150m when finishing seventh in the Maiden 1400 metres on 10 February at Matamata. Claiming to 54kg, she had been racing well prior and a softer trip should coincide with a solid effort.

1.25 p.m. R2 9 Under Her Spell  (3 f Not A Single Doubt - Bewitching) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); improved to finish third in the Maiden 1100 metres on 30 December at Taupo, before remaining back in the Maiden 1200 metres on 25 January at Matamata. She has the addition of visor blinkers, ideally drawn (4), with weight relief to 52.5kg, and should appreciate stepping up in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres.

2.00 p.m. R3 1 Aotea Lad  (4 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); found the line from last when resuming in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 31 January at Pukekohe, and steps up in the $11,000 Rating 74 1400 metres. Third to Catalyst (Darci Brahma) in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) at his only course attempt, he is aided by weight relief to 57kg.

2.00 p.m. R3 3 Exaltation  (4 m Not A Single Doubt - Meleka Belle) - Johnathan Parkes; brought about the 100^thwin this season for trainer Jamie Richards in the Rating 74 1400 metres here on 28 January, to remain unbeaten in two starts on the course. Drawn four in the corresponding race, but up 2kg to 58kg, she has impressed winning three from seven and appears very competitive again.

2.00 p.m. R3 7 Yourpoint  (3 g Bull Point - Dollhouse) - Lisa Allpress ONZM; won the Rating 65 1400 metres here at the same meeting as Exaltation (above), and steps up in the $11,000 Rating 74 1400 metres. A touch tricky from the outside in a field of seven, but has looked good winning two from five and ability to measure up.

2.40 p.m. R4 8 The Mighty Spar(3 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); performed solidly through the trials stage and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Ideally drawn (4), with weight to 55kg, he rates a top three chance if settles and does things right.

5.05 p.m. R8 12 Shebringsmerubies  (5 m Sebring - Run Away Ruby) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); ran on well for fifth when resuming here in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 28 January, won by Yourpoint (above), and steps up in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Claiming to 53kg in a strong field, she can compete with the right trip from barrier nine.