Te Akau Te Aroha King's Birthday Monday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Monday 1 June at Te Aroha. 

Te Aroha: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft5, rail: out 6 metres. 5mls rain forecast. 

12:15 p.m. R2 9 She Means Business (3 f Circus Maximus – Risque Business) – TBA; she continued her run of fourths when finding the line in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1400 metres on 13 May at Matamata, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $20,000 Maiden 2YO & 3YO 1400 metres. From a talented family, she is the half-sister to the Te Akau trained winner of six from 10 It’s Business Time (Turn Me Loose), and is a top four chance with a good dose of luck from her wide draw (17). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

12:15 p.m. R2 15 Florescence (3 f Hello Youmzain – Flourishing) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she ran home solidly near the rail after getting back when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 13 May at Matamata, and likewise contests the Maiden 2YO & 3YO 1400 metres. Her dam Flourishing (Makfi) won three races to 2000 metres, the filly enjoys weight relief to 53.5kg, and this is a good opportunity for her to improve second-up but, unhelpfully, she does have a tricky gate (10) to contend with. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

1:59 p.m. R5 4 Pokuru Gold (5 g Darci Brahma – Pokuru Nugget) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he closed strongly for third when resuming in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 18 April and was the same again after being held up at a vital stage, finishing a close second in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 16 May, both at Ellerslie. Contesting the $40,000 Open Handicap 1150 metres, Hassman retains the ride with his weight assignment dropping to 56kg - from the handy draw (3), this big strong boy should make an impression in the field.  Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80.

Main picture - Pokuru Gold winning