Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Wednesday 16 March at Matamata. 

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

1:47 p.m. R1 4 Amalfi Prince (3 g Sebring - Campania) - Craig Grylls; claimed the leader for a comfortable victory in a Maiden 1600 metres on 27 January at Hastings, and he has been given time (25 days) since contesting a Rating 65 2100 metres on 19 February at Ellerslie. Back in trip, he rates a top three chance with blinkers on in the $12,000 Rating 65 1600 metres - one of two in the event for the stable.

1:47 p.m. R1 6 Fierce Flight (3 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Michael McNab; ran the fastest last 600m (34.8) on the day when dead-heating for first in a Maiden 1600 metres on 20 February at Hastings, and steps up in the $12,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He rates a top three chance with right trip from the tricky barrier 10.

2:57 p.m. R3 13 Molly Shaw (2 f Burgundy - Belorussiya) - Masa Hashizume (a2); got home from last when debuting in a Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 19 February at Ellerslie, won by subsequent Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Lickety Split (Turn Me Loose). She requires luck from the outside draw (13) in the $12,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. Her dam won twice to 1670 metres and was placed 10 times.

3:33 p.m. R4 3 Flat Track Bully (4 g Reliable Man - Lime Squeeze) - Craig Grylls; rounded off strongly for second in a Maiden 1200 metres on 30 January at Ellerslie, and did well winning a Maiden 1200 metres on 20 February at Hastings. He's in solid form and has first four claims in the $12,000 Rating 65 1200 metres which features two stable-runners.

3:33 p.m. R4 5 Highborn (4 m Savabeel - Tempo Manor) - Michael McNab; led home a Te Akau first four in a Maiden 1200 metres here on 12 January, and posted a good effort for second in a Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 February at Awapuni. She was a notable fourth in a Rating 65 1200 metres here on 26 February, and rates a top three chance from barrier two in the $12,000 Rating 65 1200 metres.

4:07 p.m. R5 10 Sternland (3 f Astern - Landslide) - Craig Grylls; produced a solid third to subsequent Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m) winner Bellatrix Black (Redwood) in a $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1600 metres on 16 February at Tauranga, and contests the same type of race over 1400 metres. She rates a top three chance.

5:20 p.m. R7 5 Campionessa (4 m Contributer - Bella Carolina) - Matthew Cameron; recorded consecutive wins before an eye-catching fifth in the Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) here on 26 February, and contests the $25,000 South Waikato Cup (2000m). She loves the course and rates a serious top three contender.

5:55 p.m. R8 1 Badgeringdawitness (4 g Reliable Man - Ebony and Ivory) - Jonathan Riddell; continued his good form finishing a close third in a Maiden 1600 metres on 24 February at Wanganui, and steps up in the $12,000 Maiden 2000 metres. Dam Ebony and Ivory (Zabeel) impressed winning over 1600 metres and has left five individual winners of 14 races, seen at their best around 2000 metres. He rates a top four prospect with right trip from barrier 11.