Te Akau Hawera Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has seven horses entered on Friday 29 October at Hawera.

Weather: showery, track: Dead6, rail: true. Showers forecast.

1.25 p.m. R1 2 La Flora Belle (4 m Iffraaj - Tsarina Belle) - Michael McNab; produced notable effort for third in Maiden 1600 metres on 17 October at Te Aroha, and steps up in $12,000 Maiden 2000 metres. Despite drawing outside (10), she rates a top three chance. La Flora Belle is three-quarter sister to former stable-mate and dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), winner of 14 Group 1 races. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.30.

1.25 p.m. R1 7 Wychwood  (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Patrimonium) - Lisa Allpress; finished back in first two starts to 1550 metres at Cambridge (poly-track), and steps up in $12,000 Maiden 2000 metres. Her dam won three times to 1600 metres and receives opportunity to improve. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.50.

2.00 p.m. R2 1 Avonallo  (3 g Belardo - Real Angel) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); provided first NZ stakes success for sire when winning Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) before finishing third to stable-mate On The Bubble (Brazen Beau) in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m). He quickened stylishly off the front to win well when trialling on 14 October at Taupo, and rates top three in $12,000 Rating 65 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.35.

2.00 p.m. R2 2 The Panther (4 g Iffraaj - La Panthere) - Michael McNab; won fresh-up over 1100 metres in February at Otaki, and finished second to subsequent winner Side By Side (Star Witness) in Rating 65 1200 metres on 17 March at Matamata. He contested same trial as Avonallo (above) at Taupo, and resumes in $12,000 Rating 65 1100 metres. Shown to act fresh, he should race well with right trip from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.80.

2.00 p.m. R2 3 Lightning Field  (5 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Niranjan Parmar (a4); was duly rewarded after five seconds in nine starts with victory in May at Ellerslie. He quickened well near rail for third in same trial as Avonallo (above) at Taupo, and resumes in $12,000 Rating 65 1100 metres. He receives weight relief to 54.5kg, ideally drawn (4), and rates top three if appreciative of course at first attempt. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.80.

2.35 p.m. R3 3 Highborn (4 m Savabeel - Tempo Manor) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); sustained run for close second when trialling on 14 October at Taupo, and resumes in $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Ending first three start campaign finishing fourth over 1400 metres in July at Ruakaka, look for her finding the line from wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70.

2.35 p.m. R3 7 Midnight Special (4 m Excelebration - Midnight Van Damme) - Michael McNab; finished third without urging when trialling on 14 October at Taupo, and debuts in $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. By high-class miler Excelebration (Exceed and Excel), from talented race mare Midnight Van Damme (Van Nistelrooy) that won three times from 1300m - 2000m and placed in eight. She should race well from barrier one. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.70.