Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses racing on Friday 8 December at Matamata.

As on Thursday 7 December the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail true. No rain forecast.

1.52 p.m. R3 12 Dazed and Confused (4 m Showcasing - Real Success) - Michael McNab; found the line from well back when fifth on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 10 November at Avondale. A trial winner here in March, she has drawn wide (16) in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres but a genuine tempo and drag into contention should enable her to finish strongly.

3.04 p.m. R5 7 Gris Dame (3 f Reliable Man - Double Babu) - Michael McNab; sustained a big finish to win the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 14 November at Te Aroha, with McNab aboard, having made ground from last on debut over 1200 metres at Tauranga. Up in grade and distance for the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres provides a sterner task, but she presents off winning form and rates an each way chance in this field from barrier seven.

4.12 p.m. R7 15 Aquilo (3 g Snitzel - My My Maree) - Cameron Lammas; had a race best forgotten when missing the start by six lengths at New Plymouth, a fortnight ago, having made ground in to fourth when resuming on 4 November in the 3YO 1200 metres at Tauranga. With the addition of side winkers and ideally drawn (3) in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, he is one of two stakes placed performers in the field, along with Glass Slipper (Pins), and can certainly make amends with a solid performance.

4.47 p.m. R8 5 Fashionably (4 m Redoute's Choice - Scarlett Lady) - Michael McNab; was backed and beaten in the Rating 65 1800 metres a fortnight ago at New Plymouth, although still produced a solid effort for third. From barrier six in the $10,000 Rating 65 2000 metres, she is again presented with an ideal winning opportunity and the addition of blinkers could provide added impetus.