Te Akau Hawera Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Sunday 22 May at Hawera.

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: true. 7mls rain forecast Saturday, 3mls Sunday.

1:25 p.m. R5 9 Luxuriant (4 m Iffraaj - Opulent) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); sustained a huge run to win after missing the start in a trial on 19 April at Taupo, and resumed winning a Maiden 1200 metres here on 27 April. Up in grade for the $12,000 Rating 65 1100 metres, her dam Opulent (Keeper) showed to handle rain-affected footing, and she should race well again if appreciative of conditions.

2:00 p.m. R6 7 Luxembourg (3 g Burgundy - Miss Daphne) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); spelled in February after two runs and finished close a second in a trial on 10 May at Avondale. Resuming in a Maiden 1200 metres, her dam left five individual winners including some that handled heavy going. This is the family of history making Guineas' filly Katie Lee (Pins), but much depends on him handling conditions.

2:40 p.m. R7 2 Challa (5 g Dissident - Are There Any) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); hustled from a wide gate (12) to lead and was only claimed late finishing fifth when resuming in a Rating 74 1200 metres on 30 April at Te Rapa. He strikes a competitive field in the $12,000 Rating 74 1200 metres, carries 60kg and much depends on him also handling conditions.