Te Akau Matamata Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 10 horses entered for the twilight meeting on Friday 20 December at Matamata.

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: true. Showers forecast.

3:09 p.m. R1 12 Purple Prose (3 g Embellish – Lady Masako) – Vinnie Colgan; he got back from barrier one, travelled a touch keenly to the 600m, and was held together while rounding off well near the rail in a trial on 3 December at Pukekohe. Debuting in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres, his half-sister stable-mate Elegant Lady is a winner of four races 1900m – 2200m and twice stakes' placed. It is ideal commencing his racing career on his home track, and while he is destined for further, he requires bit dose of luck from his wide draw (16). Fixed odds: $23.00 & $5.50.

3:43 p.m. R2 2 Charmrose (4 m Charm Spirit – Sovereign Rose) – Craig Grylls; she travelled fourth on the inner, but was held up at the 300m point, and nonetheless finished strongly once clear to win her trial on 3 December at Pukekohe. Resuming in the $25,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres, she sustained a big run for second after being posted wide in the Maiden 1200 metres on 13 September at Matamata. She has three trial wins under her belt and is capable of a bold effort with a decent trip from barrier nine - one of two in the race for the team. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

3:43 p.m. R2 5 Celtic Bling (3 f Embellish – Niamh Elizabeth) – Wiremu Pinn; she kept going solidly after leading for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 22 November at New Plymouth, and also contests the $25,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). Gaining experience from two races, she is presented with the opportunity to improve further if she can secure a good run from her tricky barrier eight. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.

4:52 p.m. R4 8 Cognoscenti (3 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye) – Wiremu Pinn; he finished sixth after travelling handily when resuming in the Maiden 1230 metres on 4 December at Rotorua, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. He raced in good fields during three starts as two-year-old, is expected to appreciate the extra distance, and look to him finishing strongly from barrier six. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.

5:32 p.m. R5 4 High Roller (3 g Ace High – Miss Thorn) – Wiremu Pinn; he ran on well over the concluding stages for fourth in a trial on 18 November at Waipa, and closed strongly near the rail for third, beaten a nose and a nose, when debuting in the Maiden 1300 metres on 30 November at Ellerslie. He has had a good start to his career, his dam placed here in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes and he has top three credentials in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.90.

6:07 p.m. R6 12 Hakkinen (3 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Wiremu Pinn; he ran home well for fourth over a sprint distance in a trial on 18 November at Waipa, and finished strongly for second following an economical trip when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres on 8 December at Te Aroha. He is from a blue blood Australian family and his Te Akau trained dam won twice to 1600 metres - he presents as a top three chance in the $25,000 Rating 60 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.45.

6:47 p.m. R7 3 Midnight Blue (8 g So You Think – Midnight Special) – Opie Bosson; he resumed with victory in the Listed Seymour Cup 1600m on 13 October at Seymour (Victoria), and stayed on for sixth in the Listed Furphy Plate 1800m on Melbourne Cup Day (5 Nov.) at Flemington. He produced a very good effort for fourth in the Group 3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes on 30 November at Ellerslie, and shapes to race well again if his top rider can secure a decent trip from barrier 10 in the Listed $80,000 Team Wealleans Matamata Cup over 1600m - one of two in the event for the stable. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.90.

6:47 p.m. R7 7 My Lips Are Sealed (4 m Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Wiremu Pinn; she continued her great form when finishing strongly in the fastest last 600m (34.3) for a close third in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 2 November at Tauranga, and was given time (48 days) with an interim trial when running home nicely for fourth on 3 December at Pukekohe. She was second in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes over the mile last season, is a course winner over 1400 metres at her only attempt, and rates a top four chance from barrier two. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.70.

7:32 p.m. R8 2 Balance Of Power (4 g Almanzor – Respin) – Opie Bosson; he received an economical trip on the inner and ran home nicely near the rail for fourth in a trial on 18 November at Waipa. Resuming in the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, he won easily over 1400 metres last season, is stakes' placed as a two-year-old, and is ideally drawn (5) to commence his new campaign with a bold showing - the first of a stable duo Lin ing up in the last. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $1.95. 

7:32 p.m. R8 10 Lady Of Court (4 m Savabeel – Are There Any) – Wiremu Pinn; she circled from beyond midfield with a strong finish for fifth in the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on 4 December at Rotorua, also ridden by Pinn, and contests the corresponding event. A winner over 1400 metres earlier this year at Riccarton, she presents as a stronger mare this time in, but requires luck from the outside gate (11). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.70.