Te Akau Hastings Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Thursday 20 July at Hastings. 

Weather: fine, track: Heavy10, rail: out 10 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:27 p.m. R2 7 Taviarma (3 f Tavistock - Veearma) - Michael McNab; (dual nominated) closed strongly from last for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 July at Awapuni (poly-track), and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Runner-up in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m), she did well for second when resuming after a long lay-off on Heavy10 going in the Pearl Series Maiden 1200 metres on 7 June at Matamata, and much depends on her coping with the prevailing conditions. 

1:02 p.m. R3 2 Baronet (3 g Contributer - Alpha Dame) - Craig Grylls; he ran on for third in a trial on 11 July at Cambridge (poly-track), and resumes in the $14,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He recorded a promising debut victory over 1200 metres on a Heavy10 track last September at Matamata, and has the ability to perform well if appreciative of conditions. 

1:02 p.m. R3 5 Ragamuffin (4 g Belardo - Short Tale) - Jonathan Riddell; he never got into the race when finding line from last in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 7 July at Awapuni (poly-track), and also contests the $14,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. A course/distance winner at his only attempt, however on good footing, he would prefer the better side of heavy and if he gets that, his is capable of solid showing from barrier three. 

1:37 p.m. R4 5 Taviarma (3 f Tavistock - Veearma) - Michael McNab; (dual nomined) closed strongly from last for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 July at Awapuni (poly-track), and appears suited stepping up in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. Runner-up in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m), she did well for second when resuming after a long lay-off on a Heavy10 track in the Pearl Series Maiden 1200 metres on 7 June at Matamata, and much depends on her coping with the prevailing conditions.

2:12 p.m. R5 1 Al Malik (3 g Zoustar - Mumtazaah) - Michael McNab; he ran the fastest last 600m (35.4) when closing from well back in the Maiden 1400 metres on 7 July at Awapuni (poly-track), and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1650 metres. He circled with a strong finish for a close up fourth in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres here on 5 June, appears suited stepping up in distance and he has the ability to rate a top three chance if he handles the track conditions.

3:53 p.m. R8 2 Rare Company (3 g Savabeel - Fast Company) - Michael McNab; he produced a good effort to dead-heat for second and then was solid when an unlucky fourth, both over 2000 metres at Cambridge (poly-track), and contests the $14,000 Maiden 2100 metres. His last four starts have been on the poly-track, and it will be interesting to see how he performs back on turf. 

3:53 p.m. R8 4 Prefer To Play (3 g Preferment - Play Me) - Jonathan Riddell; he was unable to lift on the Heavy10 conditions in the Maiden 1600 metres on 8 July at Te Rapa, and steps up in the $14,000 Maiden 2100 metres. He is looking to improve, and is another who will need to be adept in handling the going.