Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Wednesday 13 May at Matamata.  

Matamata: 

Weather: overcast, track: Soft7, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:55 p.m. R2 1 Honour Roll (2 g Savabeel – Honor) – Michael McNab; he began smartly to race between runners on pace, was nursed to take an advantage at the 200m, and maintained a strong run to win well at the trials on 21 April at Avondale. Resuming in the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1200 metres, he stylishly won a trial before his debut third in February, and rates a top three chance, a promising youngster, one of two juveniles lining up in the race for the stable. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.50.

12:55 p.m. R2 10 The Queen’s Sword (2 f Sword Of State – Sarvoia) – Masa Hashizume; the second for the stable in this race, she was allowed to find her feet at the back, five lengths off the leaders at the 600m, had room to improve in the straight and finished strongly to grab a win at the trials on 21 April at Avondale. Debuting in the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 in bonuses), she made up plenty to win her trial and it's likely similar tactics from her  wide draw (13) will be the order of the day. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.30.

1:30 p.m. R3 1 Centurial (3 g Savabeel – Purcentage) – Wiremu Pinn; he found the line nicely for fifth following a good trip in the Maiden 2YO & 3YO 1400 metres on 27 April at Ellerslie, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. He has trained on well since, his dam Purcentage (Onemorenomore) won over 1200 metres, and from barrier three he should be right in the thick of the action here - the first of a stable trio contesting the event. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.60.

1:30 p.m. R3 6 Petite Rocher (3 f Grunt – Little Rock) – Michael McNab; the second runner for the stable, she finished sixth after racing widest in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1230 metres on 22 April at Rotorua, and also contests the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. She closed off strongly for second in the fastest last 600m (35.2) here prior on Soft5 footing, and shapes to race well with plenty of luck from the outside gate (12), which might not prove the worst place to be. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

1:30 p.m. R3 10 Florescence (3 f Hello Youmzain – Flourishing) – Joe Doyle; the last one the tangerine trio, she got back, improved three-wide inside the 600m, challenged for the lead rounding the home turn and fought well off a wide trip for fourth in a trial on 28 April at Waipa. Debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres, her dam Flourishing (Makfi) won three races to 2000 metres, including here at Matamata, and she looks poised to race well for her first appearance on race day, albeit from a sticky gate (9).  Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.20. 

2:07 p.m. R4 2 Luvabeel (4 m Savabeel – O’Lovely) – Michael McNab; she came from three back on the inner with a strong finish between runners for a close up second when resuming in the Maiden 1400 metres on 27 April at Ellerslie, and contests the $17,000 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO & Up 1600 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). Placed in four of five starts to 1600 metres this season, she placed on course, and looks well placed to break through for her first career win. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.65.

2:44 p.m. R5 14 Trouble Maker (3 f Redwood – Always In Trouble) – Joe Doyle; she yielded ground after working forward to share the pace when debuting the Maiden 1200 metres on 1 May at Pukekohe, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 2YO & Up 1400 metres. She can live up to her name on occasions, but has the pedigree that says she should appreciate the increase in distance - her family has handled give in the ground, and she ideally drawn in barrier three. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.60.

3:19 p.m. R6 9 She Means Business (3 f Circus Maximus – Risque Business) – Masa Hashizume; she ran home solidly for fourth when debuting here in the Maiden 1200 metres on 22 March, and was the same again in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1230 metres on 22 April at Rotorua. From a talented family, she is the half-sister to the Te Akau trained winner of six from 10 It’s Business Time (Turn Me Loose), and her current form indicates a top three finish is well within her grasp. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.20.

3:54 p.m. R7 1 Carsolio (3 g Bivouac – Whitehaven) – Masa Hashizume; he ran home strongly for second after being steadyied for cover in the Rating 65 1000 metres on 3 May at Tauherenikau, and is one of three stablemates contesting the $17,000 Rating 65 1100 metres. He placed here three starts ago, continues to race well, and he too is more than capable of delivering a top three finish if things go his way from his wide alley (11) which by this stage of the day could be of benefit.  Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.20. 

3:54 p.m. R7 10 Sabatini (4 m El Roca – Amarantha) – Michael McNab; she sustained a brave finish to win on debut in the Maiden 2YO & Up 1200 metres on 27 April at Ellerslie, and also contests the Rating 65 1100 metres. She had trialled well prior to racing, brings winning form, and is expected to race well again if she too can overcome her wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.75.

3:54 p.m. R7 11 Presence Of Mind (3 f Fastnet Rock – Supreme Mind) – Joe Doyle; the final runner of the trio is this Rating 65 1100 metres, she produced a terrific performance to win the Maiden 2YO & Up 1000 metres on 3 May at Tauherenikau. She finished strongly for a close third when resuming, prior, is ideally drawn (4) and brings the right form to race well up in grade. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.35. 

Main picture - Presence of Mind