Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 18 horses entered on Wednesday 29 March at Matamata. 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast. 

2:02 p.m. R2 9 Zakaya (3 f Reliable Man - Zarzing) - Michael Roustoby (a3); she was freshened before the Pearl Series Maiden 1300 metres last Friday at New Plymouth, and contests the $14,000 Maiden High-weight 1600 metres. Three kilos weight relief come her way, she is placed one from one on her home course, and receives the opportunity to improve up in trip. 

2:37 p.m. R3 4 Time Is King (2 g Darci Brahma - Tiffany's Time) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he contested a competitive pace when winning a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1050 metres. His dam Tiffany's Time (Alamosa), trained by Te Akau, won twice over 1400 metres, and he is ideally drawn (5) to race well. 

2:37 p.m. R3 7 What You Wish For (2 g Embellish - Grand Wish) - Opie Bosson; he finished strongly to win a trial on 21 March at Taupo, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1050 metres. His dam-side has considerable speed through the sire line and recently this family produced Galaxy (Gr. 1, 1100m) winner Griante (Good Journey).  

2:37 p.m. R3 10 Lady of Court (2 f Savabeel - Are There Any) - Warren Kennedy; she got back before running home strongly for a close third in a trial 21 March at Taupo, and also debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1050 metres. She is a half-sister to stable-mate and six-time winning sprinter Challa (Dissident), and has the advantage of a handy draw (2) for her first outing.

3:12 p.m. R4 4 Prince Lonhro (3 g Lonhro - Palace Gardens) - Opie Bosson; he resumed running the fastest last 600m (34.4) for a close fourth to subsequent winning stable-mate Petrucci (I Am Invincible) in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres here on 15 March, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He rates a top three chance. 

3:12 p.m. R4 7 Fay Khan It (4 m Mongolian Khan - Morgan Le Fay) - Ryan Elliot; she finished off fine once balanced in the straight when trialling on 21 February at Avondale, and resumes in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Third to subsequent Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winning stable-mate Romancing The Moon (El Roca) here in October, she is destined for further but has drawn the ace so look for her finishing off at the business end.

3:12 p.m. R4 14 Francee (3 f Iffraaj - Calveen) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she was caught wide when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres, won by subsequent winning stable-mate Petrucci (I Am Invincible), here on 15 March, and also contests the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She is looking to improve however she will need everything to go her way from her awkward draw (9). 

3:49 p.m. R5 3 Rare Company (3 g Savabeel - Fast Company) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he ran home well down the outside for fourth in trial on 21 February at Avondale, and resumes in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He debuted as a two-year-old in the Futurity Stakes (Listed, 1400m), there is speed in this family, and he is another that has drawn ideally (2) to give a good account of himself.

3:49 p.m. R5 4 Believe It Or Not (3 g Star Witness - Believe You Me) - Ryan Elliot; he has cost his chances by beginning slowly away in his last two outings, then making up considerable ground, and also contests the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. There has been merit in each of his races, but he is required to improve his starting manners from barrier three to make his presence a winning one.

3:49 p.m. R5 8 Rightly So (3 f El Roca - So It Begins) - Opie Bosson; she continued her solid form with a third in the Pearl Series Maiden 1100 metres on 8 March at Taupo, and likewise contests the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She looks a top three chance from barrier four.

3:49 p.m. R5 13 Morning Star (3 f Per Incanto - Exposed) - Sam Weatherley; she is new to the stable after leading throughout in a trial win over 1000 metres on 21 February at Avondale, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 1200 metres. She has speed to utilise barrier one and is expected to race well. 

4:24 p.m. R6 4 Trieste (4 m Tivaci - Domani Oro) - Opie Bosson; she closed strongly for fourth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 8 March at Taupo, and contests the $14,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres. Placed twice on her home course, she looks a top three prospect with a decent trip from barrier eight. 

4:59 p.m. R7 1 Hero Worship (4 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Opie Bosson; he finished strongly from beyond midfield for a close fourth in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 15 March, and contests the $14,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He has produced two wins on his home course and presents as top three contender with a decent trip from barrier eight. 

4:59 p.m. R7 3 Espionage (4 g Savabeel - Bayrock) - Warren Kennedy; he raced three wide before finding a couple of lengths to win the Maiden 1400 metres here on 15 March, and contests the $14,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He can claim good course/distance stats, but he is up in grade and is another disadvantaged by a wide draw (12). 

4:59 p.m. R7 8 She's Outrageous (4 m Reliable Man - She's Insatiable) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she trailed third and held that spot running home when trialling on 21 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $14,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She flew home for victory over 1600 metres here in October, and is capable of a solid performance from barrier two. 

5:34 p.m. R8 9 Zantabulous (3 f Almanzor - Zantelagh) - Opie Bosson; she ran the fastest last 600m (35.1) when closing for fifth when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 15 March, and contests the $14,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She did everything right when winning over 1200 metres on debut here in September, beating subsequent Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winning stable-mate Romancing The Moon (El Roca), and rates a top three chance. 

5:34 p.m. R8 10 Madame Moet (5 m Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); she fought on behind the leaders in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 15 March, and contests the $14,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She's recorded two wins to 1600 metres on the course and is capable of improvement with a decent trip from barrier eight. 

6:08 p.m. R9 14 Star In The Sky (3 f Savabeel - Pikari Star) - Opie Bosson; she was unable to make headway out of midfield in the $14,000 Maiden 1400 metres on 8 March at Taupo, and contests the corresponding event. From barrier two she receives an opportunity to improve.