Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has six horses entered on Wednesday 12 at Matamata.   

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast.

3:20 p.m. R3 2 Hostility (2 c I Am Invincible – Shillelagh) – Craig Grylls; he has looked good winning both trials to date, and debuts in the $25,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. He boasts a high-class pedigree, by the Champion Sire in Australia, and is out of a mare that Te Akau trained to win four from six, before transferring and winning two Group 1 races in Australia. He certainly warrants favouritism and rates a top three chance. $2.15 & $1.20.

4:30 p.m. R5 10 Hayate (6 m Maurice – Vamoose) – Craig Grylls; she remained back and wide in the Rating 60 1800 metres on 14 February at New Plymouth, and contests the $25,000 Rating 60 1600 metres. The winner of four races from 1200m – 2000m, she possesses a good record on her home course, and seeks to show improvement if she can secure a decent trip from barrier nine - she has the right man aboard to do so. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.60.

5:50 p.m. R7 15 Matakana Girl (4 m Ace High – Bankside Belle) – Craig Grylls; she ran the fastest last 600m (35.6) from last to finish fifth when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 31 January at Te Rapa, and ran home well for fourth in a trial on 5 March at Taupo. Contesting the $25,000 Maiden 1400 metres, she raced well during her first campaign as a three-year-old, and is capable of a bold effort if she can get the rub of the green from her wide gate (14). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.10.

6:24 p.m. R8 1 Sense of Timing (4 m Time Test – Pin Up Lae) – Triston Moodley (a2); the first of three in the event, she tailed a field of six when trialling at Ellerslie on 11 February - she travelled smoothly, was six lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and finished strongly down outside for a close fourth. Resuming in the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she ended three-year-old season with top run for second in the Listed Warstep Stakes over 2000m, and has apprentice weight relief to 58.5kg. While we believe she is destined for further distance, she has shown the ability to race well where fresh but is another who has annoyed the barrier ‘gods’ (11). Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.80.

6:24 p.m. R8 5 Not Straight Laced (4 m Turn Me Loose – Clos De Tart) – Craig Grylls; also contesting the same race as Sense of Timing, she remained back after missing the start in the Rating 75 1200 metres here on 1 March, and drops in grade for the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She is another who races well ‘at home’ and over this trip, and while she is capable of making an impression here, her draw (10) also makes it a difficult task. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20.

6:24 p.m. R8 8 Inca Belle (5 m Per Incanto – Belle Vie) – Hayley Hassman (a4); she has been given time (39 days) since fighting well from outside the leader for fourth in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 1 February at New Plymouth, and likewise contests the $25,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Weight relief to 53.5kg with Te Akau apprentice, who has been riding well at trials, engaged will prove advantageous.  She enjoys the home track advantage and is one with a decent alley (2) to facilitate a competitive performance. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $2.80.