Racing: Akers blitzes field

Palmerston North rider Lucy Akers and her horse Tinapai blitzed the 15-strong field to easily take the honours at the Dannevirke A & P Centennial Show on Saturday.

Akers, who has spent several years based abroad, was second of four to go in the jump-off. Ahead of her, Maurice Beatson of Dannevirke and Apollo van Evendael had posted a competitive time, leaving all the rails up. That time very quickly became ordinary, when Akers sliced five seconds off it.

Beatson had another shot at the top slot with Jedi Warrior, but dropped a rail mid-course, as did the fourth-placed Julie Davey of Hastings and Air Hill Myka.