Te Akau Trans Tasman Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Wednesday 12 February at Te Aroha and one at Seymour, Victoria.?

Te Aroha:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 3.5 metres. No rain forecast.

2:38 p.m. R2 2 I Am Nutz (3 g I Am Invincible – Pecans) – Rory Hutchings; he did well for third after being caught wide in the Maiden 1100 metres on 16 January at Te Rapa, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1150 metres. He found the line solidly for fifth when debuting and has the ability to prove competitive from the handy barrier three. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.80.

6:38 p.m. R9 13 Court Of Appeal (4 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Wiremu Pinn; she was held up when running home with more to offer in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 27 January at Tauranga, and is one of two stablemates contesting the $25,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Second-up, she is bred for staying distances, but nevertheless is capable of a bold showing with any luck from her unfortunate draw (18). Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.

6:38 p.m. R9 14 Lightning Dream (4 m Rip Van Winkle – Alana’s Dream) – Rory Hutchings; she finished fifth after working forward on pace in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 27 January at Tauranga, and likewise contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. She capped good form with a strong Maiden win over 1600 metres last season, is capable of improvement, but  is yet another who requires luck from a nasty gate (19). Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.00.    

Seymour:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true.  

7:25 p.m. (NZ) ~ 5:25 p.m. (Vic) R8 1 The Mighty Spar (7 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Sage Duric (a3); he ran on well for third in a jump out on 27 January at Cranbourne, and resumes in the A$40,000 Benchmark 70 1400 metres. He ended his previous campaign in tremendous form, with consecutive steeplechase wins to 3800 metres. So while he is gearing up for another jumps’ season, obviously 1400 metres is short of his preferred or best, but he handily drawn (3) and has weight relief to 61kg. NZ TAB fixed odds: $51.00 & $10.00. 

Main photo - The Mighty Spar