Te Akau Matamata Wednesday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has nine horses racing on Wednesday 14 March at Matamata.

As on Tuesday 13 March the conditions were: cloudy and Slow7, rail out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

1.54 p.m. R2 1 Handsome Rebel (2 g Denman - London Rebel) - Opie Bosson; staged a mighty effort from back and wide to finish third here to subsequent Group One winning stable-mate Sword of Osman (Savabeel) in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 24 February. He closed late for third, with Bosson aboard, in the Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 3 February at New Plymouth, and recorded four thirds from as many starts. Clearly highest rated (64), he will be at minuscule odds to deliver in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres.

1.54 p.m. R2 10 Spirit of Galway (2 f Rip Van Winkle - Galway) - Michael McNab; had more to offer when finishing third at the trials on 5 February at Cambridge, and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. A three-quarter sister to group one winner Shillelagh (Savabeel) and stakes winner Grazia (Savabeel), both trained by Te Akau, she appears naturally talented and the progeny of her sire generally appreciate give in the ground.

2.29 p.m. R3 1 Devil May Care (4 g Lonhro - Devil's Song) - Opie Bosson; won effortlessly at the trials on 5 February at Cambridge, and resumes off 97 days in the $10,000 Maiden Colts & Geldings 1200 metres. He recorded two thirds and a second from three starts in his first campaign and receives an ideal opportunity to break through.

3.05 p.m. R4 20 Pacific Coast (3 g Snitzel - Malibu Road) - Shafiq Rusof; was gelded after having one start as a two-year-old, last May on this course in a race won by stable-mate Griffin (Iffraaj). A stylish trial winner before racing, he looked good without being extended to finish third in a trial on 27 February at Avondale, and appears capable of a bold first up performance in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres.

3.05 p.m. R4 1 Master Painton (3 g Reliable Man - Abbey Tralae) - Opie Bosson; had nothing go right but still far from disgraced when 10^th in the Maiden 3YO 1600 metres on 21 January at Te Rapa, on the back of two strong finishing seconds. Freshened for the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres, his dam, Abbey Tralae (Traditionally), won seven times, impressing over 1200 metres on good and slow going, and despite a wide draw he has each way prospects.

3.45 p.m. R5 5 Princess Davone (5 m Iffraaj - Nikey Davone) - Shafiq Rusof; had a glitch in an otherwise solid form line, last time out in the Rating 75 2100 metres at Awapuni. Given time since (33 days), she contests the $20,000 South Waikato Cup (Rating 70, 2000m). Fire out of the ground and home track advantage are factors that could assist her in returning another genuine performance.

3.45 p.m. R5 6 Elegant D'Oro (4 m Medaglia d'Oro - Elegant Fashion) - Opie Bosson; stepped in distance last time out to win the Rating 65 2100 metres on 29 January at Te Teko, making it two wins from her last four starts, and ideally placed in the $20,000 South Waikato Cup (Rating 70, 2000m). A sizeable mare, now hitting her straps, she brings the right form to prove competitive in an interesting race.

4.20 p.m. R6 6 Scarlet Princess (4 m Redwood - Volks Princess) - Opie Bosson; was back on track when finishing strongly for third in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 25 February at Wairoa. She was third here in a good form race on 12 January: NZB Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres, and rates an each way chance from barrier two in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres.

4.52 p.m. R7 1 Lillet Rose (4 m Pins - Lillet) - Opie Bosson; possibly the most consistent Maiden in the country, with three seconds and three thirds from six starts. Although drawn the outside barrier (11) in the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres, off the rail may be an advantage by the last race, as to her first start on the home track, and no reason she cannot force the issue again.