Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses racing on Saturday: Te Rapa, and Hastings.

Te Rapa:

As on Friday 13 April the conditions were: cloudy and Dead5, rail out 12 metres. 6mls rain forecast Friday night, 28mls Saturday.

1.02 p.m. R2 8 Paulownia (3 f Fastnet Rock - Forest Native) - Michael McNab; displayed considerable talent to win all three trials, before clocking the fastest final 600m (33.7) when circling from the rear to win on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 28 February at Pukekohe. At her second start, up considerably in class to contest the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 17 March at Trentham, she turned in a massive performance (last 600m 32.9) to be denied a nose by Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) winner Scott Base (Dalghar). Drawn barrier five in the $25,000 3YO 1200 metres, she has side winkers on and credentials to rate a strong hope. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.18.

Hastings:

As on Friday 13 April the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail true. 1.5mls rain forecast Saturday.

1.19 p.m. R2 8 She's Not Bad (3 f He's Remarkable - Andra) - Shafiq Rusof; made a stylish commencement to her racing career with a dominant win in the Maiden 1400 metres on 7 March at Avondale, with the horse she beat, Hanger (O'Reilly), subsequently winning by 5.5 lengths on 28 March at Matamta. Up in grade and drawn wide (11) in the $22,500 Rating 65 1200 metres, she brings the right form to rate an each way chance with luck in running.

3.40 p.m. R6 3 Our Abbadean (5 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights) - Shafiq Rusof; did a magnificent job to win the $100,000 Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 31 March at Awapuni, following victory in the Open Handicap 2100 metres on 10 March at Trentham. Hammered with weight for her Group Two success - up 6kgs to carry 59kgs - she nonetheless strips in super condition for the $75,000 Hawkes Bay Cup (Listed, 2200m). Expected to camp behind the pace from barrier six, she again has each way prospects. Fixed odds: $8.20 & $2.60.