Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 14 horses entered on Wednesday 12 January at Matamata (twilight meeting).

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: true. No rain forecast.

2:06 p.m. R1 4 Soprano Supreme (4 m Contributer - Falsetto) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); sustained a strong finish for second to stable-mate Felicienne (Savabeel) off a wide trip when resuming in a Maiden 1400 metres here on 23 December. Contesting the $12,000 NZB Pearl Insurance Maiden Fillies & Mares 1600 metres, she has weight relief to 55.5kg and rates a top three chance.

2:42 p.m. R2 5 Badgeringdawitness (4 g Reliable Man - Ebony and Ivory) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); was pulled up after running off inside the 700m when going right-handed last Wednesday in a $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres at Te Aroha, and contests the corresponding event. Blinkers off, with weight relief to 56.5kg, hopefully back left-handed will serve him better with luck from his wide barrier (12) - one of a stable trio in the event.

2:42 p.m. R2 9 Madame Moet (4 m Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Kozzi Asano; reared as gates opened in a Maiden 1400 metres on 4 December at Matamata, and followed with a top run for second here in a $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres on 23 December. Contesting the corresponding event, she looks a top three prospect again with luck from her carpark barrier (14).

2:42 p.m. R2 13 Nossenko (3 f Savabeel - Vera de Bosset) - Craig Grylls; brought good form to a $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres here on 23 December when sixth, after being held up in the same race as Madame Moet (above). The blinkers are off, with side winkers on, she has first three claims from barrier one.

3:17 p.m. R3 13 Savasilk (3 f Savabeel - Silk Pins) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); overdid things when sixth in a $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth, and blinkers come off in the corresponding event. She has a classy pedigree, weight relief to 53.5kg and rates a top four prospect from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.50.

3:52 p.m. R4 6 Miss Lovato (3 f Astern - Demilune) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); worked three wide when resuming finishing third to impressive winning stable-mate Wairau Cove (Darci Brahma) in a $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres here on 23 December, and contests the corresponding event. With weight relief to 53.5kg, she certainly is capable of a first three finish from her handy gate (4) - one of three in the event for the stable.

3:52 p.m. R4 14 Sternland (3 f Astern - Landslide) - Courtney Barnes; trialled well, most recently on 21 December at Ellerslie, and she debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. It's an ideal starting point on her home track, she's drawn barrier eight, and is from first crop of Group 1 winning sprinter Astern (Medaglia d'Oro).

3:52 p.m. R4 16 Weneedashock (3 g Shocking - Prado Red) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); stayed on okay over a sprint trip for fourth when trialling on 21 December at Ellerslie, and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Aided by weight relief to 54.5kg, he has drawn awkwardly (9). Fixed odds: $41.00 & $6.00.

4:27 p.m. R5 1 Rip Van Gogh (4 g Rip Van Winkle - On the Move) - Craig Grylls; freshened following his second in a Maiden 1300 metres on 3 November at Cambridge (poly-track), galloped home solidly for second at the trials on 21 December at Ellerslie, and resumes in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He brings form to rate a top three prospect from barrier two, in an race with quartet of starters for Te Akau.

4:27 p.m. R5 4 Asperitas (3 g Shooting to Win - Sehaab) - Matthew Cameron; finished strongly for second at the trials on 13 December at Rotorua, before remaining back when debuting in a Maiden 1050 metres here on 23 December. He receives the opportunity to improve from barrier one in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres.

4:27 p.m. R5 7 Highborn (4 m Savabeel - Tempo Manor) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); got back from the outside gate (12) before running the fastest last 600m (34.1) for third in a Maiden 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and also contests the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She enjoys weight relief to 54.5kg and she rates a top three chance from barrier five.

4:27 p.m. R5 14 Dancarina (3 f Sebring - Dance for Me) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); galloped home strongly to win at the trials on 21 December at Ellerslie, and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. By Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Sebring (More Than Ready), her dam Dance for Me (Commands) won twice to 1400 metres in Australia. She's drawn reasonably (7) and should race well with weight relief to 52kg.

5:02 p.m. R6 6 Midnight Special (4 m Excelebration - Midnight Van Damme) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); freshened (35 days) since her fifth in a Maiden 1400 metres in December at Hastings, her prior two efforts were strong and she is one of two stable reps in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. The apprentice engagement sees her drop to 54.5kg, and she can finish in the top three from barrier eight.

5:02 p.m. R6 8 Luxuriant (4 m Iffraaj - Opulent) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); was a solid fifth on debut here over 1200 metres in October, was given time and ran home fine for third when trialling on 21 December at Ellerslie. From beautifully bred Keeper (Danehill) mare that Te Akau trained to win three races and finish fifth at Group 3 level, she enjoys weight relief to 53.5kg, and is capable of a bold showing from barrier seven.