Te Akau Hastings Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Sunday 20 February at Hastings.

Weather: cloudy, track: Dead5, rail: out 5 metres. 15mls rain forecast Sunday.

12:45 p.m. R2 5 Fierce Flight (3 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Sam Weatherley; did well for fourth when debuting in a Maiden 1400 metres on 6 January at Rotorua, but was no chance from a wide draw (13) when back and wide in a Maiden 1600 metres on 2 February at Te Rapa. He receives the opportunity to improve in the $12,000 Maiden 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.70.

1:20 p.m. R3 8 Nossenko (3 f Savabeel - Vera de Bosset) - Michael McNab; raced notably in her first three outings before missing the start dramatically in a Maiden 1400 metres on 12 January at Matamata, but redeemed herself winning a corresponding race here on 27 January. Up in grade and distance for the $12,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she rates a top three chance from barrier one. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.10.

3:13 p.m. R6 1 Flat Track Bully (4 g Reliable Man - Lime Squeeze) - Sam Weatherley; got back, pulled himself into the race, and rounded off strongly for second in a Maiden 1200 metres on 30 January at Ellerslie. Contesting the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres, he rates a top three prospect with any luck from the tricky draw (9). Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.35.

3:48 p.m. R7 2 Rip Van Gogh (4 g Rip Van Winkle - On the Move) - Sam Weatherley; pinned his ears back winning a Maiden 1300 metres on 2 February at Te Rapa, and steps up in the $12,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He has the ability to measure up. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.90.

3:48 p.m. R7 3 Pure Imagination (3 g Darci Brahma - Granadilla) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); looked good winning his debut over 1200 metres in September at Te Rapa, he spelled and was gelded in November, then ran on for third when trialling on 1 February at Cambridge (poly-track). Resuming in the $12,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, he enjoys weight relief to 56kg, and has the opportunity to recapture his best form. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.20.