Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 15 horses entered on Wednesday 20 April at Matamata.

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft5, rail: out 7 metres. 3mls rain forecast Tuesday, 4mls Wednesday.

12:28 p.m. R2 2 Bak Da Master (7 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Michael Roustoby (a3); stayed on well for third in a trial on 9 March at Cambridge (poly-track), and put up a similar effort again after working in the mid stages when resuming in a Rating 74 1600 metres on 2 April at Avondale. Preparing for a jumps' campaign, he has weight relief, is ideally drawn (4) and has placed in each of his three course attempts.

1:40 p.m. R4 5 Kai (3 f Ocean Park - Brilliant Blush) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); continued her genuine form when second here in a Maiden 1400 metres on 30 March and contests the $12,000 Maiden 2&3YO 1400 metres. Runner-up in four of her five starts, she clocked good final sectionals, and deserves a breakthrough victory - one of two in the event for the stable.

1:40 p.m. R4 9 Dancing Sands (3 f Contributer - Tonic) - Craig Grylls; worked three wide before tying up on slow ground when debuting in a Maiden 1200 metres on 20 March at Tauranga. Given time (31 days), she receives the chance to improve from barrier four in the $12,000 Maiden 2&3YO 1400 metres. Her dam Tonic (Blues Traveller) won six times including three stakes' wins over 1600 metres and has been a terrific producer with six individual winners of 27 races.

2:16 p.m. R5 2 Madame Moet (4 m Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); capped good form when gapping her rivals in a Maiden 1600 metres on 26 January at Matamata, and freshened (45 days) she ran the fastest last 600m (33.9) to subsequent dual winner Clever Ruds (El Roca) in a NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 Fillies & Mares 1400 metres on 12 March at Pukekohe. Although drawn wide (14), she rates a top three chance in a corresponding event (eligible $11,500 bonus) - in a race featuring two stable starters.

2:16 p.m. R5 4 Millefiori (3 f Iffraaj - Miss Bluebell) - Opie Bosson; won two of three starts as a two-year-old and resumed with a close fourth on slow footing in a Rating 65 1200 metres on 25 March at Hawera. Given time (26 days), she rates a top three prospect from her handy barrier two gate in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Rating 65 Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $11,500 bonus).

2:54 p.m. 6 1 Hero Worship (3 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Opie Bosson; freshened after finishing fifth on debut in December at Matamata, sustained a strong run while closing the margin in a trial on 22 March at Cambridge (poly-track), and was narrowly beaten after working from his wide gate to lead when resuming in a Maiden 1215 metres on 9 April at Rotorua. He rates top three chance in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres, where three stable starters take their place.

2:54 p.m. R6 9 Pisco Sour (3 f I Am Invincible - Refreshing) - Michael McNab; raced well in three starts before having a freshen-up and was then beaten nose by stable-mate Ragamuffin (Belardo) when resuming in a Maiden 1200 metres on 2 March at Hastings. She finished a close second after a mid-race check in a $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres here on 30 March and rates top three claims in the corresponding event.

2:54 p.m. R6 12 Fun Fun Fun (3 f Iffraaj - It's All Fun) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); quickened home well between horses for fourth in a trial on 22 March at Cambridge (poly-track), and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She is a nice filly from good family who trialled well, but she requires luck from her difficult draw (11).

3:29 p.m. R7 1 Eridor (3 g Telperion - Fille de France) - Opie Bosson; freshened after two starts and had more to offer at the trials on 14 March at Ellerslie. He was claimed on the line after leading here fresh-up in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 30 March and rates a top three prospect in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres - the first of a stable trio contrasting the event.

3:29 p.m. R7 9 Trieste (3 f Tivaci - Domani Oro) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); spelled after contesting the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, she held her spot finishing fifth in a trial on 12 April at Avondale. Resuming in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres, she has been runner-up twice to 1600 metres, and has the ability to race well from her handy barrier one.

3:29 p.m. R7 12 Florencenightngale (3 f Rip Van Winkle - Reigning Dynasty) - Michael McNab; raced middle of three in front and remained competitive for a close second in a trial on 22 March at Cambridge (poly-track), and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She displayed good acceleration and stretch when winning a trial in December at Ellerslie, but does require luck from tricky draw (11).

4:04 p.m. R8 7 Espionage (3 g Savabeel - Bayrock) - Opie Bosson; kept finding the line for fourth when resuming here in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 30 March. Stepping up in the $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres, he rates a top three chance from barrier four in a race where another stable trio steps out.

4:04 p.m. R8 14 Sternland (3 f Astern - Landslide) - Leith Innes; was given time (35 days) since a close fourth here in a Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres on 16 March and contests the $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She appears capable, but she is another who has fared badly in the barrier draw stakes (12).

4:04 p.m. R8 17 I'm Not Bossy (3 f Jimmy Choux - Keffiya) - Craig Grylls; got back last before making ground solidly for fourth here in a Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres on 30 March and also contests the $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She has posted notable efforts in all three starts this time in and has first four claims from barrier four.

4:39 p.m. R9 11 Avondalay (3 f Redoute's Choice - Miss Maren) - Opie Bosson; ran the fastest last 600m (34.7) when getting home from last on debut in a Maiden 1215 metres on 9 April at Rotorua, in a race stable-mate Hero Worship (above) finished second. She appears suited stepping up in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares 1400 metres and is ideally drawn (4) to make her presence felt in the top three. Her dam Miss Maren (Stravinsky), was a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed, and won eight times 1400m - 2000m.