Te Akau Matamata Friday Preview

21 December, 2023

Te Akau Matamata Friday Preview


Te Akau Racing has 16 horses entered on Friday 22 December at Matamata.  

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. No rain forecast. 


2:41 p.m. R1 13 Can’t Kach Me (4 m Tavistock – Kachina) – Matt Cameron; she found the line for fifth off an economical trip in the Maiden 1600 metres on 29 November at Te Aroha, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 2000 metres. The increase in distance should suit, being out of Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare, and she is presented with the opportunity to improve further - one of two in the event for the stable. 

2:41 p.m. R1 14 Court Of Appeal (3 f Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Michael McNab; she produced a notable finish for third off a soft trip in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1600 metres on 29 November at Te Aroha, and also contests the $25,000 Maiden 2000 metres. From a Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare, she rates a top three chance but will need things to go her way from the tricky gate (12). 

3:17 p.m. R2 7 El Viento (3 g El Roca – Mandeville) – Craig Grylls; he closed nicely for fourth when trialling on 5 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres. From a good winning family, he brings solid trial form to the contest, but is another needing luck from a wide draw (15) - the first of two first-starters for the team. 

3:17 p.m. R2 14 Not Straight Laced (3 f Turn Me Loose – Clos De Tart) – Michael McNab; she let down well in close quarters for third when trialling on 5 December at Waipa, and likewise debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Te Akau trained her debut-winning dam Clos De Tart (Darci Brahma). She too will require luck from a wide draw (11). 

3:55 p.m. R3 14 Tranquila (3 f Iffraaj – Equanimity) – Michael McNab; she speared home late for fourth when trialling on 5 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Te Akau trained her dam Equanimity (More Than Ready), who impressed winning to 1400 metres, and also her grand-dam Insouciant (Keeper), NZB Filly of the Year. She presents as a top three prospect from barrier six. 

4:30 p.m. R4 3 Ruler Of Egypt (3 g American Pharoah – Galway) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he ran home solidly for fifth after being awkwardly away when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres on 30 November at Otaki, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. The stable has a good affinity with this talented family through the deeds of half-sister Spirit Of Galway (Rip Van Winkle) and stakes' winners Shillelagh (Savabeel) and Grazia (Savabeel). He has first four claims in an even field. 

5:05 p.m. R5 3 She Turns Heads (3 f Headwater – Convene) – Matt Cameron; she did well for third off a wide trip in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 24 November at New Plymouth, has been given time (28 days), and contests the corresponding event. Unlucky to still be in maiden ranks for her ladies' syndicate owners, she was sixth in the Karaka 2YO Million, has placed in eight of nine starts, finished second in both course attempts, and appears a top three chance from barrier two - the first of a filly duo lining up here for the stable. 

5:05 p.m. R5 4 Certainly (3 f Savabeel – Frankly) – Craig Grylls; she ran the fastest last 600m (34.5) when closing off a three-wide trip for second on debut to subsequent winner Pendragon (U S Navy Flag) in the Maiden 1200 metres on 29 November at Te Aroha, and also contests the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. She has drawn awkwardly (11) but nonetheless is capable of finishing in the first three. 

5:37 p.m. R6 6 Spellcraft (4 g Savabeel – Bewitching) – Joe Kamaruddin; he was without much room when finishing sixth in the Rating 60 1400 metres on 10 December at Rotorua, and is one of two stable runners to contest the $25,000 Rating 60 1600 metres. While he looks to be improv ing this preparation, he is yet another who hasn't faed well in the barrier (10) department and will need a good dose of luck. 

5:37 p.m. R6 9 Invincibeel (5 m Savabeel – Matakana) – Craig Grylls; she stuck gamely for third in the Rating 60 1400 metres on 10 December at Rotorua, and is the other stable runner contesting the $25,000 Rating 60 1600 metres. She possesses the ability to match her rivals, but - you guessed it - she jumps from the carpark (16), making it a tough assignment. 

6:15 p.m. R7 11 Qali Al Farrasha (3 f Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Joe Kamaruddin; she let down strongly near the rail for second in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and resumes in the $25,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus). From a talented family, Te Akau trained her impressive winning dam Nucleonic (Burgundy) and shares in the breeding and ownership, and looks a top three chance with luck from yet-again wide draw (13). 

6:53 p.m. R8 3 What You Wish For (3 g Embellish – Grand Wish) – Craig Grylls; he held his spot when trialling on 11 December at Ellerslie, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres - the first of a stable trio lining up in the event. Impressive winning last season over 1300 metres, he has been competitive against the best three-year-olds, and appears a top three chance from barrier two. 

6:53 p.m. R8 10 Inca Belle (4 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); she resumed with a top run for second in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 November at Te Rapa, but was off the bridle in a corresponding event on 2 December at Wanganui. She fashioned a good record winning her first three in succession and is ideally drawn (4) to show improvement in the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. 

6:53 p.m. R8 11 Alminette (4 m Burgundy – High Heels) – Joe Kamaruddin; she finished third in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 24 November at New Plymouth, has been given time (28 days), and drops in distance for the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. A course winner over 1200 metres, the blinkers are on, and she is capable of a bold run with luck from her wide barrier (11). 

7:24 p.m. R9 2 Primo Vino (3 g Savabeel – Vinorules) – Craig Grylls; he sustained a good run for third when trialling on 5 December at Waipa, and resumes in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Placed to 2000 metres in his previous campaign, the nightmare of draws continues for the team, with him jumping from barrier 15, so look for him to be finding the line - one of two stable runners engaged in the last. 

7:24 p.m. R9 9 Please Sir (3 g Vespa – Rose And Crown) – Michael McNab; he received a good trip when finding line for fourth in the Maiden 1300 metres on 2 December at Te Rapa, and also lines up in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Based on his debut effort, and work since, he looks a top three chance from barrier four. 


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