Te Akau Pukekohe Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Friday 20 March at Pukekohe. 

Pukekohe: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:32 p.m. R4 8 Dream Of The Moon (4 m All Too Hard – Moonchild) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she showed plenty of fight after controlling a comfortable pace and just being claimed near the line (second) in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 21 February at Ellerslie, with the in-form Te Akau apprentice Hayley aboard on that occasion too.  Contesting the $65,000 Open Handicap 1400 metres, she was impressive winning the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes over 1600m last season, and in fact has been stakes' placed three times from 1100m – 1400m. The apprentice aboard brings weight relief to just 52kg, and she is perfectly drawn (4) to make an impact on what has ended up a good field. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.65.

3:44 p.m. R6 6 Savoir Faire (6 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he returned to New Zealand and to winning form with a terrific performance in the Open Handicap 2000 metres on 28 February at Matamata, also ridden by Hayley, and contests the $65,000 Open Handicap 2100 metres. He's posted five wins over 2000 metres, and while he meets a stronger field here, he does have the weight relief again to 52kg in his favour. Jumping from barrier three, he has first four claims in this 2000m contest. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.85.

4:20 p.m. R7 1 Charmrose (5 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose) – Opie Bosson; she did well to finish fourth after skewing sideways when the gates opened in the Rating 75 1100 metres on 1 March at Trentham. Lining up in the $55,000 Rating 75 1200 metres, where she jumps from the ace barrier, she has recorded three wins to 1200 metres, has been a winner in this grade, and is a mare who certainly is tenacious and puts herself in the race. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.90. 

4:56 p.m. R8 2 Zantabulous (6 m Almanzor – Zantelagh) – Hayley Hassman (a2); a beautiful showy grey, she closed strongly from back on the inner in the fastest last 600m (35.9) when third in the Open Handicap 1600 metres on 28 February at Matamata, also with Hayley aboard. Racing in very good form, including a recent win, she drops in grade for this Rating 75 1600m, and has the benefit of weight relief to 56.5kg. Having been both course/distance placed, she looks a realistic top three chance from barrier four in what shapes as a solid field. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.25. 

Main picture - Zantabulous winning