Te Akau Timaru Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Sunday 4 October at Timaru. 

Timaru: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

12:10 p.m. R1 10 Never Too Much (3 g Rubick – Rebel’s Choice) – Michael McNab; he was only overhauled late to finish a close fifth after working forward from his outside draw (13) when resuming in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres on 12 September at Riccarton, and contests the corresponding event. Placed in three of four starts as two-year-old, including running second to stable-mate Enchantment (Hello Youmzain) in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m), he warrants strong support but again requires luck from another wide (12) gate. Fixed odds: $2.20 & $1.25.

1:25 p.m. R3 4 Sword Of Stars (3 f Sword Of State – Angelica Hall) – Michael McNab; she staged a huge run for third after getting back from an outside draw (14) when resuming in Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) on 12 September at Riccarton, won by stable-mate Sweetest Thing (Hello Youmzain). Contesting the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres, she placed in two of four starts last season, and rates a top three chance with decent trip from barrier 10 - she has the right, in-form rider aboard for that task. Fixed odds: $2.10 & $1.25.

3:39 p.m. R7 3 One True King (4 g King’s Legacy – Chicharita) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he fought well for fourth after working forward from a wide draw (12) in Rating 65 1600 metres here on 23 September, also with Hayley aboard, and contests the $40,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. It was an improved effort last time which it needed to be, he won his Maiden over 1400 metres on a Good4 track, but his wide draw (17) makes further improvement a challenge. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

4:42 p.m. R9 5 Marokopa Falls (4 m Hellbent – Beside You) – Triston Moodley (a); she finished strongly out of the pack for a close second in $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 12 September at Riccarton, and contests the corresponding event. She was a debut winner over 1000 metres, has been twice stakes’ placed, and brings the right form to rate a top three chance with luck from - you guessed it - her wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.35.

4:42 p.m. R9 7 Queen’s Evidence (4 m King’s Legacy – Enjay) – Michael McNab; she travelled back on the outer, loomed down the outside at the 200m and quickened nicely into third when trialling on 15 September at Ashburton. Resuming in the $40,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she was twice stakes’ placed over 1200 metres, races well when fresh, and Inca deliver a top three finish if - she overcomes her wide draw (17). Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70. 

5:14 p.m. R10 8 Balance Of Power (6 g Almanzor – Respin) – Hayley Hassman (a1); he quickened off an economical trip to win by a Rating 75 2200 metres here on 23 September by 3.75 lengths, also with Hayley aboard. Contesting the $50,000 Open Handicap 2200 metres, he has fashioned a good record of five wins to 2200 metres, four of them on soft ground. While he meets a stronger field, he brings the right form to be considered a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.60 & $1.30. 

Main picture - Balance of Power winning