Te Akau Warrnambool Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Thursday 7 May Warrnambool (Victoria). 

Warrnambool:

Weather: showers, track: Heavy8, rail: true. 8mls rain forecast Wednesday and 5mls rain Thursday.

1:15 p.m. (NZ) - 11:15 a.m. (Vic) R1 5 Fierce Flight (7 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Martin Kelly; he finished sixth without threatening in the Benchmark 115 Hurdle (3200m) on 19 April at Terang, and contests the A$50,000 Novice Hurdle (3200m). He was a stakes’ winner and was twice Group Three placed among six wins to 2200 metres in New Zealand.  He has recorded a win and two seconds from six hurdle starts, and is improving with every assignment. NZ TAB fixed odds: $126.00 & $15.00. 

2:15 p.m. (NZ) - 12:15 p.m. (Vic) R3 4 Cinturato (3 g Shamus Award – Pirellina) – Jamie Mott; he finished well after trailing for second in the Benchmark 66 3YO 1600 metres on 6 April at Sandown, and finished very strongly from three back on the inner to win jump out on 27 April at Cranbourne. Contesting the A$50,000 Benchmark 70 3YO 1400 metres, he has fashioned a good record including a win over 1400 metres, and looks a top four chance if he can overcome his wide gate (12). NZ TAB fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.25.

4:30 p.m. (NZ) - 2:30 p.m. (Vic) R7 1 Leaderboard (11 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy) – unfixed; the first of two in one of the features for the team, he finished fifth in the Brierley Steeplechase (3450m) here on Tuesday, and contests the A$350,000 Brandt Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). He ended his last season winning the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m), and while his form hasn’t been quite the same this time in, he is a quality jumper who always deserves respect. NZ TAB fixed odds: $20.00 & $4.20. 

4:30 p.m. (NZ time) R7 3 The Mighty Spar (8 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – unfixed; he finished a solid fourth in the Brierley Steeplechase (3450m) here on Tuesday, and contests the A$350,000 Brandt Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). He won four steeplechases in a row last year, and is a really up-and-coming jumper at this level, but much does depend on him be able to see out the extra distance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.35.  

Main picture - Leaderboard