Te Akau Wairoa Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has ten horses racing on Sunday 26 February at Wairoa, Hawkes Bay.

As on Saturday 25 February the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail true. No rain forecast.

1.32 p.m. R2 1 More Than Fast (4 g Fastnet Rock - Morgalicious) - Michael McNab; stood the leader five lengths at the 600m before mounting a strong finish for second here on Thursday in the Maiden 1200 metres, and appears a leading prospect again from barrier five in the corresponding race.

2.07 p.m. R3 4 Silver Missile (2 g Smart Missile - Ocelot) - Cameron Lammas; was a clear last after being awkwardly away and never travelled a yard in the Heavy10 footing last Sunday at Gisborne, and having shown good attributes at the trials he receives an opportunity to show marked improvement on better ground in the 2YO 1200 metres.

2.07 p.m. R3 5 Swing Note (2 f Encosta De Lago - Andallthatjazz) - Michael McNab; closed very encouragingly from last when finishing fourth on debut in the $30,000 Wentwood Grange 2YO Premier 1100 metres on 10 December at Te Rapa, and given time since she was well held when scoring decisively in a 1000-metre trial on 7 February at Matamata. She finished on terms with stable-mate Gold Fever (Savabeel) in her first trial and looks a strong chance from barrier one in the 2YO 1200 metres.

2.42 p.m. R4 2 Princess Davone (4 m Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Cameron Lammas; found the Heavy10 footing beyond her capabilities in the Poverty Bay Cup (Rating 85, 1600m) last Sunday at Gisborne, and drops back in grade and distance to contest the Rating 75 1500 metres. She did well to close the gap for third, and was strong through the line, in the Rating 85 1400 metres on 4 February at Te Rapa, running her last 600m in a slick 33.6, and should prove a different proposition from barrier one on better ground.

3.17 p.m. R5 1 King Kane (3 g Showcasing - Vannista Belle) - Chris Johnson; fought solidly for fifth, in a close contest for the minors, here on Thursday in the Rating 65 1900 metres. Stepping up to 2100 metres should suit and a return to his best would see him competitive.

3.17 p.m. R5 5 Fastnet Fire (4 m Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Michael McNab; found the line solidly for third, after being held up inside the final 600m, in the Rating 65 1900 metres here on Thursday. Drawn barrier two, and up in distance to 2100 metres, she meets a similar field and again looks an each way chance.

3.17 p.m. R5 7 Amperage (4 g Zabeel - Miss Zapper) - Cameron Lammas; never got it all his own way in front, but still fought solidly for fourth in the Rating 65 1900 metres here on Thursday. He continued to improve during the three days of the East Coast circuit last year, winning at the corresponding meet in the Maiden 2100 metres, on Good3 footing, and should go well again over the same trip.

4.27 p.m. R7 13 Abloom (3 f Darci Brahma - Corsage) - Michael McNab; found the Heavy10 track conditions too testing in the Maiden 1400 metres last Sunday at Gisborne, but showed to appreciate better ground when coming from beyond midfield with a strong finish for second in the Maiden 1400 metres here on Thursday. Drawn barrier seven in the Maiden 1450 metres, she again appears an each-way chance if appreciative of the quick backup.

5.02 p.m. R8 5 Colorado Prince (3 g Alamosa - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Cameron Lammas; was doing his best work through the line here on Thursday in the Rating 65 1400 metres, although from back in the field never really got into the leader dominated race. He won well on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 2 January at Tauherenikau, possesses plenty of galloping ability and can threaten from barrier four in the Rating 65 1400 metres if he puts it all together.

5.02 p.m. R8 14 Corporate Missile (3 f Smart Missile - Corporate) - Michael McNab; produced a great fresh-up performance for third, despite the heavy conditions, just peaking on her run when resuming off 130 days in the Rating 65 1200 metres last Sunday at Gisborne. A winner second up in her previous campaign, should appreciate stepping up in to 1400 metres and although drawn wide she possesses genuine qualities to prove competitive again.