Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Wednesday 16 September at Matamata. 

Matamata: 

Weather: fine, track: Heavy8, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast. 

12:35 p.m. R1 4 Concurrence (3 c Tagaloa – Consensus) – Craig Grylls; he was steadied back from the outside gate, circled widest rounding the home turn and finished strongly for fourth in a trial on 25 August at Waipa, also with Craig Grylls aboard. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, he is by Group 1 Blue Diamond (1200m) winner Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa), out of the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) winner Consensus (Postponed). He has been solid through his trials' stage and is ideally drawn (2) to prove competitive first-up in the famous Yu Long colours. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.35. 

1:42 p.m. R3 2 Geneva Queen (4 m Swiss Ace – Sigiriya) – Hayley Hassman (a1); was she steadied to travel just in behind runners in fifth position and quickened home nicely for a close third in a trial on 25 August at Waipa. Resuming in the $18,500 Maiden 1050 metres, she has trialled well in preparation for this fresh up outing, and shapes to race well first-up - the first of two starters in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $3.90 & $1.45. 

1:42 p.m. R3 6 Zaharias (3 f Super Seth – Green Roller) – Craig Grylls; she positioned three-wide in third, lengthened at the 200m, and kept winding up strongly to grab the win when trialling on 4 August at Te Rapa. Also resuming in the $18,500 Maiden 1050 metres, she is by the same sire (Super Seth) of Te Akau Champion Two-Year-Old La Dorada. She's a filly who displayed ability last season when placing in three of four starts, and deserves to be a top three chance from barrier three. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.16. 

2:19 p.m. R4 4 Belle Du Monde (4 m Zoustar – Lady Cartier) – Craig Grylls; she closed well from back in the field for fourth when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 16 August at Taupo, likewise with Craig Grylls aboard, and is one of two stable runners contesting the $18,500 Rating 65 1050 metres. a winner over 1000 metres previously, she delivered a solid fresh-up performance, and is ideally drawn (4) show she has taken benefit from her resuming effort. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.50. 

2:19 p.m. R4 5 Emma Twigg (4 m El Roca – Megara) – Hayley Hassman (a1); the second runner lining up for the team in this event, she travelled midfield on the outer, was back on the inner turning for home and held her position without being pushed in a trial on 25 August at Waipa. She too resumes in the Rating 65 1050 metres, and recorded a strong debut victory over 1150 metres. She has shown that she can race well when fresh, and looks a top three chance from barrier five. Fixed odds: $4.40 & $1.50. 

2:54 p.m. R5 12 No Curfew (3 g Vanbrugh – Supreme) – Kyle Wilson-Taylor; he began well from barrier one to trail and rounded it off nicely for fifth in a trial on 25 August at Waipa. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres, he is the brother to Te Akau purchased and trained Group & Listed winner Wild Night. He finds a good opportunity to commence his racing career with an encouraging effort on his home track but requires luck from his wide draw (15). Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.85. 

3:29 p.m. R6 17 Vintage Rose (3 f Satono Aladdin – Sparkling Rose) – Michael McNab; she was allowed to find her feet from barrier one and sustained a solid run for third in a trial on 25 August at Waipa. Debuting in the $18,500 NZB/Entain Pearl Series Maiden F&M 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 in bonuses), she is from the family of Te Akau bought and trained sires Darci Brahma (Danehill) and Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), by the sire (Satono Aladdin) of Te Akau Champion Two-Year-Old Tokyo Tycoon, and if she can overcome her her tricky gate (8) she can deliver a good result first up to the races. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70. 

4:04 p.m. R7 4 Typhoon Lucy (4 m Dundeel – Stormy Lucy) – Michael McNab; she spelled after a stylish win over 1400 metres here in March also with Michael McNab aboard, and remained well held behind the leaders before surging late into third when trialling on 25 August at Waipa. Resuming in the $18,500 Rating 65 1400 metres, she is undoubtedly a talented individual, and is perfectly drawn (2) to rate a top three chance first-up in the renowned Arrowfield silks. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.20. 

Main picture - Typhoon Lucy winning