Te Akau Victoria Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has three horses entered on Sunday 28 June: Sale (Victoria) and Warrnambool (Victoria). 

Sale:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy9, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast. 

2:20 p.m. (NZ) - 12:20 p.m. (Vic) R2 12 Koko (3 f Written Tycoon – Tawteen) – Lachlan Neindorf; she began smartly to race outside the leader and fought hard for a close third when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1000 metres on 11 June at Seymour, also with Neindorf aboard, and contests the A$42,500 Maiden 1005 metres. She boasts a good pedigree, has recorded two seconds, a third and a fourth placing from only five starts, and shapes to race well again if she can secure a decent trip from the tricky barrier nine. NZ TAB fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20. 

Warrnambool:

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy9, rail: true. No rain forecast. 

2:40 p.m. (NZ) - 12:40 p.m. (Vic) R1 6 Noble Steed (5 g Zed – Test Of Honour) – Jordan Hart (1.5); he ran home solidly for sixth after saving ground near the rail in the worst ground in the Benchmark 62 1733 metres on 19 June at Geelong. Making making his jumps’ debut in the A$35,000 Maiden Hurdle (3200m), he is a dual winner to 2000 metres, and looks well placed to perform creditably first-up in his new role. NZ TAB fixed odds: $13.00 & $2.70. 

4:40 p.m. (NZ) - 2:20 p.m. (Vic) R4 1 The Mighty Spar (8 g Savabeel – O’Dianne) – Steven Pateman; he tried valiantly when close a second in the Open Steeplechase (3450m) here on 14 June, likewise with the leading jumps’ rider engaged. Contesting the A$100,000 Hammonds’ Paints Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m), he brings good form to the battle. The winner of seven jumps races, he was fourth in both the Brierley and Grand Annual Steeplechases here during the carnival in May, and he rates a top three chance. NZ TAB fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.60. 

Main picture - Noble Steed