Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 15 horses entered on Wednesday 27 March at Matamata.

Matamata:

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft7, rail: out 9.5 metres. 6mls rain forecast Wednesday. 

2:05 p.m. R1 8 Brisance (3 f Staphanos – Ultra Explosive) – Dean Parker (a2); she was caught wide when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 13 March, and contests the $25,000 Maiden High-weight 2000 metres. While she has weight relief to 64.5kg, she has drawn the outside gate (8) but she receives an opportunity to improve if appreciative of the extra distance. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.50. 

2:40 p.m. R2 10 Fascination (3 f Pierro – Obsession) – Dean Parker (a2); she travelled midfield when finishing back in the Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres here on 13 March, and contests the $25,000 Maiden High-weight 1600 metres. She will be looking to show improvement at this, her third start, and appears suited stepping up in distance. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.80. 

3:15 p.m. R3 3 Legally Binding (2 c Exceedance – Legal Eagle) – Opie Bosson; he began well to co-lead and quickened when asked to win a trial on 14 March at Taupo. Debuting in the $25,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres, he has the gate speed to utilise the handy barrier three and rates a top three chance - the first of a stable trio lining up in the event. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

3:15 p.m. R3 4 Knowledge Is Power (2 g Written Tycoon – Hectopascal) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he got back from the outside gate and made good ground for fourth when trialling on 14 March at Taupo. Resuming in the $25,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres, he was a stylish trial winner early in the season, and while he may get back from his awkward gate (9), look to see him finding the line strongly. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.60. 

3:15 p.m. R3 11 Viva Glam (2 f Savabeel – Style By Design) – Wiremu Pinn; she got back from barrier one and closed well widest on the track for fourth when trialling on 14 March at Taupo. Debuting in the $25,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres (eligible $28,000 bonuses), she is from a stakes' placed mare that won twice over 1200 metres, and while she has drawn wide (10), expect a strong finish at the business end. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.00.

3:52 p.m. R4 4 Time Is King (3 g Darci Brahma – Tiffany’s Time) – Opie Bosson; he worked to race outside the leader and did well for a close third when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres here on 13 March. He poses a top three prospect in the $25,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

4:24 p.m. R5 14 Lightning Dream (3 f Rip Van Winkle – Alana’s Dream) – Opie Bosson; she found the line strongly once clear for fourth on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres and was unfortunately held up at a vital stage when the running fastest last 600m (36.3) for fourth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 13 March, both at Matamata. She has top three credentials in the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00. 

4:59 p.m. R6 7 Matakana Girl (3 f Ace High – Bankside Belle) – Warren Kennedy; she has been freshened since a notable effort for fourth in the Pearl Series Maiden 1600 metres here in January, and resumes in the $25,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1400 metres (eligible $28,000 bonuses). She has raced well thus far in her career and is capable of proving competitive if she can secure luck from the wide draw (13) - the first of a stable duo lining up in the event. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.00. 

4:59 p.m. R6 8 The Sky Above (3 f American Pharoah – Blue Blue Sky) – Opie Bosson; she found the line well for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres on 14 February at Taupo, and did well from a wide draw (11) for fourth in the Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres here on 13 March. She is capable of a first four finish in the $25,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1400 metres (eligible $28,000 bonuses). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $2.00. 

5:34 p.m. R7 4 Polly Plum (5 m Xtravagant – Herstory) – Opie Bosson; she finished fifth to stable-mate Aequus (Iffraaj) after leading in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 16 March at Tauranga, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. A dual course/distance winner, she can handle give in ground, and has drawn the ace - the first of three engaged in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.   

5:34 p.m. R7 6 Hayate (5 m Maurice – Vamoose) – Wiremu Pinn; she was not pressured while running home well enough in a trial on 14 March at Taupo, and resumes in the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She won here on debut over 1200 metres, possesses a good course record, and while she has the ability to act fresh, she will need a good dose of luck from the outside gate (10). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.20.   

5:34 p.m. R7 11 Ragamuffin (5 g Belardo – Short Tale) – Niranjan Parmar (a1); he got back on the inner when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 13 March, and contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. A course winner over 1400 metres,  he receives opportunity to improve second-up. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $4.80.

6:06 p.m. R8 1 Malborough Bay (4 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) – Wiremu Pinn; he was solid when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 16 March at Tauranga, won by stable-mate Aequus (Iffraaj), and drops in grade for the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Unbeaten in two course attempts, he is stakes' placed, is a consistent performer who handles give in ground, and is ideally drawn (3) to rate a top three chance in a race with three stable starters. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

6:06 p.m. R8 8 Star In The Sky (4 m Savabeel – Pikari Star) – Opie Bosson; she sustained a strong finish to win the Rating 60 1400 metres on 16 February at New Plymouth, was given time (40 days), and also contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She brings winning form to this equation, but requires luck from a nasty draw (12). Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30. 

6:06 p.m. R8 9 Baronet (4 g Contributer – Alpha Dame) – Jess Allen (a3); he resumed with a solid effort in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 13 March, and likewise contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. A course winner, he benefits from weight relief to 54kg, and is presented with the opportunity from barrier two to race well second-up. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.