Hāwera Tips & Preview | Wednesday 4 November

Atavus (#1) ran well for 2nd first-up at Hastings just over three weeks ago, sustaining a good run from the back of the field before lacking the turn of speed to go with the winner late over a mile. That run couldn’t have been a much better pointer to him getting out over 2100m second-up here. He maps to lead from the inside gate, where I expect Floor Moerman will ride him like the best horse in the race and take luck out of the equation in this small field. Clearly the one to beat. 

Noverre Belle (#4) sat just off the speed and fought on well in the straight to finish 2nd on debut at Matamata a month ago behind the untapped mare Pilates, though she was unable to go with the winner late. She maps to settle handy to the speed again here from the favourable draw under Matt Cameron. With any natural improvement out of that debut effort, she should take all sorts of beating. 

Almighty Kick (#1) makes his NZ debut for Casey Lock, having last raced in Hong Kong back in June 2025. He has won both of his trials since, the latest of which saw him show good tactical speed to make all from the front and keep his rivals at bay. He maps to find the front here, where I expect he can cross and lead from the handy draw. The 17-month gap between runs is an obvious question mark, but he finds a very winnable maiden to kick off in. 

Queen Of France (#8) had to do plenty of work early to find the front on debut at Otaki just over a fortnight ago, but stuck on nicely to go down by just 0.4L for 2nd. She looks suited remaining at the trip and maps to lead again from the wide draw under Chris Dell, who typically does his best work as a rider out in front. In a thin R60 field she should take some beating, despite being a maiden taking on race winners. 

Russian Prime (#10) was only collared late after skipping along in front when beaten a nose for 2nd at Taupo almost four weeks ago. She maps to lead again here under Joe Doyle from the middle draw, where I expect she can steal a cheap furlong or two once finding the front. Should that eventuate, she should simply have this field covered. 

Sax Appeal (#11) can be forgiven her last-start 7th at Trentham, where she got back and was held up for much of the run home before getting home well under hands and heels once clear. She looks suited getting out over the mile third-up with those two runs under her belt, and Craig Grylls taking the reins only aids her chances further. I expect she should settle much closer to the speed this time from a favourable low draw in an evenly run race. She should get her chance to run an improved race at long odds and looks a solid each way chance. 

Passiflora (#7) resumes here, last seen finishing 5th at Ellerslie back in April in what was a fairly strong R69 field. She has trialled impressively ahead of this first-up run, winning her heat by 7L after leading and skipping clear under her own steam for Craig Grylls. Grylls remains aboard for raceday from the inside gate, where she should have the speed to lead these, but could tag Vittorio Veneto if they were to force the issue early. A mare with plenty of upside, she should take plenty of catching in this. 

Ytoa (#2) comes here off a comfortable maiden win by nearly 2L at Te Aroha a fortnight ago, where he led and kicked away late after setting a genuine tempo out in front. He maps to settle handy again here, either leading or sitting outside Maryrose from the outset, with Masa Hashizume remaining aboard the gelding from the middle draw. He wouldn’t need to improve much, if at all, off the maiden win to be winning again here.