Stablemates Taika and Nedwin showed they are ready for their assault on Sunday’s $250,000 Great Northern Hurdles at Te Rapa with strong hit-outs at today’s Hastings jumpouts.

There were 15 heats run on the course proper, which were held about 10 metres out from the inside rail where the ground was firm.

Taika and Nedwin contested the 2500m heat and they finished first and second, with Taika striding clear late to win by 1-3/4 lengths. The winning time was a slow 2:52.22 but that was to be expected as the four horses in the heat only went easily over the first 1200m before quickening the speed from that point.

Jonathan Riddell was aboard Taika in the jumpout and was suitably impressed with the way the horse performed while Nedwin also looks to have trained on well since his last start.

The Nelson/McDougal stable will have Taika and Nedwin in the Great Northern Hurdles on Sunday and will also line up Al’s Red Zed in the 0-1 win steeplechase.

Other impressive heat winners at the jumpouts included It’s Amelia, Duncan Creek and an unraced three-year-old by Alamosa from the Mick Brown and Sue Thompson stable.

It’s Amelia recorded a good time of 1:02.72 when winning one of the 1000m heats by a long neck. The Eminent mare was placed in three of her six starts last season and could finally clear maiden ranks for the Lowry/Zydenbos stable this preparation.

Duncan Creek clocked the quickest time of the 1000m heats when recording 1:02.57 in comfortably beating two rivals by 1-1/4 lengths. The Super Easy gelding was turned out for a spell after his last start, in June, and looks to have come back in great order.

Trainer Mick Brown has a high opinion of an Alamosa three-year-old gelding who won an 800m heat by a long neck and clocked 47.91s. Brown said he expects the horse to excel over longer distances once he gets to the races.

RESULTS

Heat 1 - 400m
Tivaci 2yr-old gelding (J Riddell) 1, Shocking 2yr-old gelding 2, Vancouver-Alpine Julz 2yr-old filly 3. Three starters. Margins: ½ length, 1-1/4 lengths. Time: 27.10s. Winner rained by John Bary, Hastings.

Heat 2 - 400m
Shocking-Elegant Angel 2yr-old gelding (K Chowdhoory) 1, Tivaci-Meridian 2yr-old gelding 2, Tivaci-Hurry 2yr-old filly 3. Three starters. Margins: Long head, 2 lengths. Time: 26.75s. Winner trained by Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos, Hastings.

Heat 3 - 2500m
Taika ( J Riddell) 1, Nedwin 2, Al’s Red Zed 3. Four starters. Margins: 1-3/4 lengths, 7 lengths. Time: 2:52.22. Winer trained by Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal.

Heat 4 - 600m
Turn Me Loose 4yr-old gelding (K Hercock) 1, Imani 2, Nakajima 3. Five starters. Margins: ¾ length, 1-1/2 lengths. Time: 47.94s. Winner trained by Mick Brown & Sue Thompson, Hastings.

Heat 5 - 800m
Alamosa 3yr-old gelding (K Hercock) 1, Bullion 2, Can Johnny Be Good 3. Four starters. Margins: Long neck, 1-1/2 lengths. Time: 47.91s. Winner trained by Mick Brown & Sue Thompson, Hastings.

Heat 6 - 800m
Written Up (K Murray )1, Waihaha Falls 2, Mongolian Khan-Lilly The Pink 3yr-old gelding 3. Five starters. Margins: 2-1/2 lengths, ½ length. Time: 47.13s. Winner trained by Dean Howard, Hastings.

Heat 7 - 1000m
Kalledu Thunder (K Chowdhoory) 1, Detrimental 2, Carbon Credits 3. Five starters. Margins: Neck, 2 lengths. Time: 1:05.00. Winner trained by Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos, Hastings.

Heat 8 - 1000m
On Your Toes (J Chung) 1, Time Changer 2, Pacific Princess 3. Four starters. Margins: Short neck, 1-1/4 lengths. Time: 1:04.91. Winner trained by John Bary, Hastings.

Heat 9 - 1000m
Wickham (J Chung) 1, Ocean Park-Soronada 3yr-old filly 2, Per Incanto-Deb 4yr-old gelding 3. Five starters. Margins: Neck, ½ length. Time: 1:06.03. Winner trained by John Bary, Hastings.

Heat 10 - 1000m
Debbi Harri (J Chung) 1, Wave 2, Flash Falcon 3. Five starters. Margins: Long neck, ¾ length. Time: 1:03.91. Winner trained by John Bary, Hastings.

Heat 11 - 1000m
It’s Amelia (J Chung) 1, Zaravela 2, Falcons Diamond 3. Four starters. Margins: Long neck, 1 length. Time: 1:02.72. Winner trained by Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos, Hastings.

Heat 12 - 1000m
Bull Paki (K Hercock) 1, Gotta Be Dreamin 2, Uncle Barry 3. Four starters. Margins: 1 length, 1-1/2 lengths. Time: 1:03.43. Winner trained by Kirsty Lawrence, Waipukurau.

Heat 13 - 1000m
Lohnagan ( J Riddell) 1, Say I Do 2, Poukawa 3. Four starters. Margins: Long head, head. Time: 1:03.94. Winner trained by John Bary, Hastings.

Heat 14 - 1000m
Duncan Creek (J Chung) 1, Who’s Sam 2, Matinee 3. Three starters. Margins: 1-1/4 lengths, 1 length. Time: 1:02.57. Winner trained by Patrick Campbell, Hastings.

Heat 15 - 1200m
Bahia Emerald (L Sutherland) 1, Just Looking 2, Satomi 3. Three starters. Margins: Neck, 1 length. Time: 1:16.97. Winner trained by Patrick Campbell, Hastings.