Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has eight horses racing on Wednesday 28 August at Matamata.

Weather: overcast, track: Heavy10, rail: true. No rain forecast.

12.32 p.m. R2 7 Grand Ariana (4 m Snitzel - Enduja) - Michael McNab; kept finding the line from last behind subsequent winner Crystallize (Iffraaj) in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 20 July at Te Rapa, and did similar for third when clocking the fastest last 600m in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 11 August at Ruakaka. She brings the right credentials to rate an each way chance in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres if appreciative of conditions at the first start on her home course.

1.07 p.m. R3 7 Ronaldo's Dream  (3 g Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby) - Troy Harris; produced two strong trials for fourth and second, respectively, in July at Te Rapa, and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. From a Van Nistelrooy mare that has left five individual winners of 10 races, including dual stakes winning filly Windborne (Darci Brahma) and Group One placed stakes winning filly Darci's Dream (Darci Brahma), both also owned by Fortuna and trained by Te Akau, he could go boldly if appreciative of conditions.

1.07 p.m. R3 9 Rhapsody in Blue  (3 f Medaglia d'Oro - Kablues) - Michael McNab; ran a courageous second when debuting on Heavy11 in June at Trentham, and came from off the pace to stylishly win a trial over 840 metres on 6 August at Te Teko. From a terrific family, including Champion 3YO Filly in Australia Shamrocker (O'Reilly), winner of the Australian Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and VRC Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), she rates an each way from barrier two in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. 

1.42 p.m. R4 5 Shebringsmerubies (4 m Sebring - Run Away Ruby) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); was unlucky not to break through in her first campaign, with two seconds and two fourths from five starts, and trialled well for second with this rider aboard on in July at Te Rapa. Aided by weight relief to 52.5kgs in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres, again, handling conditions is paramount. 

2.17 p.m. R5 3 Te Akau Dragon (4 g Power - Cool Diamond) - Troy Harris; spelled after a dominant Maiden victory over 1400 metres in April at Otaki, and resumes in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He won a trial on Heavy11 footing, with Harris aboard, on 13 August at Avondale, and having placed here at his only attempt adds in rating him a top four chance.

2.17 p.m. R5 11 Ritzy Sparkle  (4 m Pins - Kumari) - Michael McNab; won a trial in July at Te Rapa, before resuming there on 3 August with a solid fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres, ridden in both by McNab. She has shown to handle rain-affected footing and rates a top four chance in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres if appreciative of conditions at the first start on her home course.

3.29 p.m. R7 5 Qian Gua (5 g Cape Blanco - Cool Diamonds) - Michael McNab; freshened since battling over 2100 metres in July at Otaki, following two placed performances, and contests the $11,000 Rating 72 1400 metres. He brings good course form, along with others in the field, by way of two wins and two placed runs from six starts, handles heavy, and appears a top four chance with blinkers on. 

4.04 p.m. R8 2 Al Haram  (7 g Sea the Stars - En Public) - Chelsea Burdan (a3); finished fourth when making his hurdles debut in July at Te Aroha, and closed well for fifth when trialling on 13 August at Avondale. Claiming to 57.5 in the $11,000 Rating 72 2000 metres, he had been racing solidly in good fields and should go well if appreciate of conditions at the first start on his home course. 

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