Te Akau Weekend Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing at three venues on Saturday 1 October.

Hastings:

As on Friday 30 September the conditions were: cloudy and Slow8, rail out 2.5 metres. A few showers forecast.

3.31 p.m. R6 1 Heroic Valour (3 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Matt Cameron; resumed with a thrilling victory in the $50,000 Tavistock Northland Breeders' Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Ruakaka, and drawn barrier five in the $100,000 Sacred Falls Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m). Winner of the $200,000 Diamond Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) on Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie, he remains unbeaten in four starts, possesses a terrific will to win, and currently the $3.30 fixed odds second favourite.  However the current rating of the Hastings track remains a concern.

Riccarton:

As on Friday 30 September the conditions were: overcast and Dead4, rail out 9 metres 2000m - 1200m remainder 11 metres. 1.7mls rain forecast Friday.

1.23 p.m. R2 2 Madame Jamai (5 m Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - J. Fawcett (a4); led and won when given an easy trial on 13 September at Rangiora, having finished a close third with the race day rider aboard in August at Te Teko, she resumes with a competitive weight of 55.5kgs in the Rating 75 1200 metres. A dual course/distance winner, including once in this grade, she appears ideally placed as a five time winner.

1.58 p.m. R3 3 Seirios (2 c Pierro - Irish Lights) - Michael McNab; finished second in both preparatory trials: over 600  metres on heavy going at Te Teko, then 800 metres on slow ground at Avondale, and makes his debut from barrier four in the $20,000 2YO 800 metres. A product of five-time Group One winning sire Pierro (Lonhro) and Thousand Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) victor Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock), making him a half brother to the hugely talented Omei Sword, his first race day outing is eagerly awaited.

3.08 p.m. R5 1 Hall of Fame (3 c Savabeel - Around the Clock) - Michael McNab; had nothing go his way when finishing fourth second up, at Taupo, after resuming with a slashing performance to current Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) favourite Ugo Foscolo (Zacinto) in the $20,000 3YO 1200 metres at Hastings. Back to his own age group in the $20,000 3YO 1400 metres, he can justify his dominant favouritism.

4.53 p.m. R8 1 Imperium (5 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Michael McNab; was last throughout when resuming here a fortnight ago in the $22,500 Rating 75 1400 metres, and dropping back in grade plus stepping up in distance for the $20,000 Rating 65 2000 metres looks more his cup of tea.

Caulfield, Melbourne:

As on Friday 30 September the conditions were: showery and Good4, rail out 13 metres. 3mls rain forecast race day morning.

4.20 p.m. (NZT 7.20 p.m.) R8 h11 Shillelagh (5 m Savabeel - Trocair) - Damien Oliver; lacked clear racing room in the straight and had more to offer when finishing fifth here a fortnight ago in the $64,500 Rating 78 1200 metres, with Oliver aboard, and has again drawn wide in the $40,000 Benchmark 84 1440 metres. A winner of four from seven, she is firm at $5.50 in a market headed by Miss Gunpowder.