Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Wednesday 10 January at Matamata.

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft5, rail: out 3.5 metres. No rain forecast. 

2:45 p.m. R1 4 Ascend The Throne (3 g Savabeel – Thee Achiever) – Opie Bosson; he was steadied from a wide gate (12) and wound up strongly for fifth in the Maiden 1600 metres on 23 December at Te Rapa. He was doing his best work late over 1300 metres on debut prior, and rates a top three chance from barrier five in the $25,000 Maiden 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.25. 

3:20 p.m. R2 1 Primo Vino (3 g Savabeel – Vinorules) – Opie Bosson; he sustained a good run for third in trial on 5 December at Waipa, and remained midfield when resuming in the Maiden 1400 metres here 22 December. He was placed at 2000 metres last season, and steps up again in the $25,000 Maiden 2000 metres. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00. 

3:55 p.m. R3 1 Cu Chulainn (3 g Burgundy – Niamh Elizabeth) – Warren Kennedy; he held his spot in a small field when resuming in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1050 metres. A winner on debut, he was third in the Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1200m), and has drawn barrier one on his home track - the first off two for the stable lining up in this event. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.20.   

3:55 p.m. R3 7 Tightly Laced (3 f American Pharoah – Soubrettes) – Opie Bosson; she won both her trials before an effortless debut victory in the Maiden 1000 metres on 12 November at Tauherenikau. She has had a quiet trial since at Ellerslie, and rates a top three chance in the $25,000 Rating 65 1050 metres. Fixed odds: $2.70 & $1.35.   

4:30 p.m. R4 3 El Viento (3 g El Roca – Mandeville) – Warren Kennedy; he closed nicely for fourth in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and ran home strongly when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 22 December. He looks a top three prospect from the handy barrier three in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres - a race with two stable representatives. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00.    

4:30 p.m. R4 9 Akenehi (3 f Fastnet Rock – Igraine) – Opie Bosson; she closed nicely for fourth when trialling on 5 December at Waipa, and was similar again off an economical trip on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 23 December at Te Rapa. Her dam Igraine (Galileo) impressed winning 1400m – 2100m, and she presents as a top three contender from barrier one in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.55. 

5:02 p.m. R5 8 Not Straight Laced (3 f Turn Me Loose – Clos De Tart) – Opie Bosson; she let down well for third in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and had more to offer after making up plenty of ground for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 22 December. She is capable of a first three finish and jumps from barrier five in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres - another event featuring a stable duo. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.55.

5:02 p.m. R5 15 Tranquila (3 f Iffraaj – Equanimity) – Warren Kennedy; she speared home late for fourth in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, but was without her final sprint when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 22 December. Te Akau trained her dam Equanimity (More Than Ready), who impressed winning to 1400 metres, and also her Group 1 winning grand-dam Insouciant (Keeper), who was also crowned NZB Filly of the Year. She receives the opportunity to improve with blinkers on in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80. 

5:34 p.m. R6 13 Qali Al Farrasha (3 f Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Warren Kennedy; she let down strongly for second in a trial on 5 December at Waipa, and showed toughness to finish second off a wide trip when resuming in the Pearl Series Maiden 1200 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus) here on 22 December. She rates a top three chance in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

6:09 p.m. R7 8 Matakana Girl (3 f Ace High – Bankside Belle) – Opie Bosson; she was unable to quicken off an economical trip in the Maiden 1600 metres on 23 December at Te Rapa, and contests the $25,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1600 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus). Good in both starts prior, she ideally drawn (2) to make her presence felt with the blinkers on. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

6:44 p.m. R8 4 Please Sir (3 g Vespa – Rose And Crown) – Opie Bosson; he received a good trip when finding the line for fourth in the Maiden 1300 metres on 2 December at Te Rapa, and was solid when fourth again after racing outside the leader in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 22 December. He is drawn (4) to race well in the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres - the first of two for the team in this maiden event. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

6:44 p.m. R8 7 Ruler Of Egypt (3 g American Pharoah – Galway) – Warren Kennedy; he ran home well from last in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres here on 22 December, and contests the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres. Drawing wide (11) may dictate him getting back, but look for him to be running on strongly. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.