Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Wednesday 7 February at Matamata. 

Weather: Cloudy, track: Soft5, rail: out 10 metres. No rain forecast. 

4:27 p.m. R4 8 Akenehi (3 f Fastnet Rock – Igraine) – Opie Bosson; she was nicely ridden from a wide gate (10) for second in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 24 January, and contests the $25,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus). She is going well, has placed in both her course/distance starts, and rates a top three chance from barrier four. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.35.

5:34 p.m. R6 8 Rule Of Law (3 g Justify – Repeat) – Michael McNab; he finished close up among the minors in a trial on 23 January at Taupo, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. He was course/distance placed before winning his Maiden over 1400 metres, and he is capable of a top three finish from the ace draw - the first of a Te Akau trained trio contesting this event.  Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10. 

5:34 p.m. R6 13 Glitzy Glory (3 f Embellish – Colheita) – Opie Bosson; she stretched out well for fifth in the 3YO 1400 metres on 21 January at Pukekohe, and also contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She resumed with a tough victory before being unsuited on heavy ground. A determined type, she too can be right in the thick of things at the business end but she will need luck from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.    

5:34 p.m. R6 14 Firriato (4 m Almanzor – Deliciano) – Warren Kennedy; the third stable runner in Race 6 posted a solid trial effort on 23 January at Taupo, and likewise contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She blew her chances at the start prior in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 15 December at Tauranga, but resumed with a top win and is well placed to deliver a bold run, with the blinkers on, from barrier four. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $4.20.  

6:09 p.m. R7 2 Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Opie Bosson; he remained back in the Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3, 2100m) on 13 January at Trentham, and contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 2070 metres. Placed at his only course attempt in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), the blinkers are on, and he looks a top three chance from his handy gate (3) - one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.  

6:09 p.m. R7 10 Mehzebeen (4 m Almanzor – Salkantay) – Matt Cameron; she sustained a strong finish to win when resuming in the Taupo Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) on 30 December at Taupo, and looked good during an exhibition gallop with stable-mate Campionessa (Contributer) here on 11 January. She too contests the $50,000 Open Handicap 2070 metres and, carrying the minimum weight (54kg), she has realistic first four claims from barrier one over a distance that will suit her. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.  

6:44 p.m. R8 7 Court Of Appeal (3 f Eminent – Katy O’Beel) – Warren Kennedy; she weakened after leading in the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr. 2, 2050m) on 1 January at Pukekohe, and drops in class for the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres. In good form prior (1600m – 2000m), one of two lining up for the stable, she receives the opportunity to recapture that earlier form. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.  

6:44 p.m. R8 8 Qali Al Farrasha (3 f Almanzor – Nucleonic) – Opie Bosson; she did well for second in the Maiden 1400 metres on 10 January and ran the fastest last 600m (35.6) for a close third in the Maiden 1600 metres on 24 January, both at Matamata. Also contesting the $25,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres, she has the blinkers on, and looks a top three prospect if she can negate the dreadful draw (15). Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.65.