Hāwera Tips & Preview | Sunday 23 August

Four Square Pete (#3) makes his hurdling debut today for the Kevin Myers stable, last seen finishing a well-beaten 6th on the flat at Woodville last week. He comes here rock hard fit on the short turnaround with four runs under his belt this time in, so the prospect of a Heavy track for his first jumping assignment shouldn’t be a concern. He gets the services of one of the country’s current leading jumps riders in Kylan Wiles aboard for this, which only aids his chances. Should take some beating with a clean jumping display. 

Comedy (#1) comes into this off a good effort for 3rd in a maiden hurdle last start at Woodville, where he travelled up nicely but just fought late when the sprint went on. He comes here rock hard fit having his third start in three weeks, and should appreciate a Heavy track as much as any in this. His flat ability should carry him a long way against this lot and he will only need to jump cleanly to be taking some beating. He finds himself in a very winnable maiden hurdle and won’t get many better chances to win one than this. 

Happy Star (#4) is a high class hurdler making his debut over the bigger fences in a maiden steeplechase for Kevin Myers. He heads into this off the back of a last-start 3rd in the Grand National Hurdle, which reads extremely well for this assignment. While he loses Shaun Fannin in the saddle, he gains the services of Kylan Wiles, at present the best replacement he could get. Expect to see him bowling up on speed throughout and he should take plenty of beating if he jumps the bigger fences cleanly. 

Breaker Bay (#1) is a 4yo son of Embellish who ran a great race on debut for 2nd here over 1400m, where he was seen closing off strongly from the back. Off that effort, stepping out over 1600m on another Heavy track should suit him well. From the inside gate he maps to settle a touch closer this time around, where he shouldn’t be more than two pairs back off an even tempo. With natural improvement, he should go very close here. 

Star Donna (#3) is a 4yo Derryn mare coming here at start number four for Buddy Lammas. She was last sighted finishing a distant 6th in good 3yo company at Otaki last month, where she got back and failed to make an impression. Going off her prior form over 1200m, she looks much better placed back down in trip and better suited back in maiden company. She should be able to position not too far from the speed from the inside gate. An improved showing wouldn’t surprise. 

Satomi (#1) ran a good race for 2nd in a maiden highweight last start at Rotorua, where he looked to be struggling turning for home but picked up well late. He gets back to a standard maiden here and will again be suited by the prospect of a testing Heavy track as much as any. Expect him to get back in the field from his middle draw as per the norm, before looking to blend into the race late in the piece. Another winnable race for him and he won’t get many better chances. 

Leprekhan (#8) has been doing much of her recent racing over the hurdles with mixed results, but importantly heads here rock hard fit. She now finds herself back in R60 company on the flat in a race lacking a standout. The wide draw makes the map fairly sticky on paper, though being out wide come this stage of the day may not be a negative. She has shown enough ability on the flat in the past to suggest she can foot it with these. Happy to speculate on her at long odds in a very even field. 

Rippanall (#2) didn’t flatter last start at Otaki, where he was exposed outside the leader on a genuine tempo and only battled into 8th. He gets a much more favourable map here, where he could well lead this field under Samantha Collett from the wide draw, with the only resistance possibly coming from Highly Anticipated drawn down low. Should he find the front without burning too many tickets, he should be able to give a much better sight here.