Te Rapa Tips & Preview | Sunday 24 May

Island Hop (#6) makes his jumping debut here for the Kevin Myers yard and is sure to be well educated for this hurdle assignment. He comes into this with just the one flat run under his belt this campaign, where he wasn’t beaten far over 1400m. He should appreciate the track being on the faster side, as that will play right into his flat ability. A very bold showing at his hurdling debut wouldn’t surprise. 

Pacheco (#5) heads here fourth-up, with three runs on the flat to ready him for the jumping season ahead, starting with this hurdling assignment. He is unbeaten over the hurdles, having won both of his starts here at Te Rapa. Of the hurdlers engaged in this field, he looks one of the runners best suited by the track playing on the faster side, with most of these probably preferring a Heavy track. He appears very well placed carrying just 64kg and should give a big sight with the recent race fitness on his side. 

Moretothinkabout (#5) ran a vastly improved race at Ellerslie last start for 2nd, where he made up good ground from the back of the field. That was his first go beyond a mile and he looked to handle the rise in trip comfortably. With a clean getaway here, he should be able to settle much closer from the inside gate, in a race that doesn’t look to have an abundance of early pressure. If he can settle ahead of key rival The Spaniard, I think he can have his measure again here. 

Justice (#6) comes here fourth-up this campaign, having had three solid efforts on the flat to ready him for this steeplechase assignment, including a win at Matamata two starts back. His jumping campaign last season culminated in a strong steeplechase win at Te Aroha, where he led throughout and proved too tough late. Expecting similar tactics here, given he has the race fitness under his belt and should be suited by the faster nature of the track. A clean jumping display would see him very hard to run down. 

Transaction (#5) comes here off a fair effort for 8th at Ellerslie, although she was making her run back and wide in a race where few made any ground. She should improve off that effort given she was over eight weeks between runs heading into last start. Drawn low here and getting in on the minimum, she looks set to run an improved race and should be thereabouts in what looks an even field. 

Aurora Belle (#9) is a 3yo Belardo filly making her debut for Conor and Sarah Fahy. She has trialled very well ahead of her raceday debut, the latest of those a comfortable win on a testing surface. She gets a handy draw to work with and Michael McNab aboard is another positive. A bold showing on debut would not surprise. 

Beat Of The Sun (#2) is a 3yo son of The Autumn Sun resuming here, last sighted finishing a distant 4th at Ruakaka back in July last year. He looks suited resuming over 1500m, as he looks like a horse that will appreciate further in time. Expect Warren Kennedy to have him settling back of midfield with cover before looking to finish off strongly late. At the price, he appeals as a solid each way chance. 

She’s Untouchable (#6) heads here off a luckless run at Rotorua last start, where she was trapped four wide without cover throughout but still fought on bravely for 5th. Her efforts earlier this campaign had plenty of merit and she looks to find a much more suitable setup here. Michael McNab taking the ride from a low draw should see her afforded a far more economical run in transit, and she looks set to get every opportunity to run well.