Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has 16 horses racing on Wednesday 23 December at Matamata.

Weather: fine, track: Dead4, rail: true. Showers forecast.

2.29 p.m. R1 3 Fabulous Flight  (6 g I Am Invincible - Court Flying) - Opie Bosson; led before kicking clear with plenty of stretch to win the Rating 74 1650 metres on 15 November at Waverley, but not the same when back in the field on 2 December in the Rating 74 1560 metres at Rotorua. A five-time winner, including over 1400 metres on the course, he is capable of bouncing back from barrier five in the $11,000 Rating 74 1600 metres.

2.29 p.m. R1 7 Luminous (5 m Reliable Man - Keenly) - Danielle Johnson; worked home from well back in a strong field for the Rating 74 1400 metres on 21 November at Pukekohe, found the line from last to finish fifth in the $11,000 Rating 74 1600 metres on 9 December at Hastings, and contests the corresponding event. She has what it takes to finish closer. 

3.04 p.m. R2 10 Image of You  (3 f Pins - Exactly Like You) - Danielle Johnson; was carted wide and peaked on her debut run, finishing sixth in the Maiden 3YO 1215 metres on 2 December at Rotorua, and steps up in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Drawn barrier four should ensure a more economical run and the prospect of finishing closer.

3.04 p.m. R2 11 Speed of Light  (3 f Proisir - Light Source) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); came from last rounding the home turn with a strong finish for six when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1215 metres on 2 December at Rotorua, won by stable-mate Campionessa (Contributer), and steps up in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Ideally drawn (2), she displayed resolve at the trials prior and carries a light weight (51kgs). 

3.39 p.m. R3 1 Lightning Field  (4 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Opie Bosson; surged into second when resuming in the Maiden 1200 metres on 4 November at Avondale, before coursing wide and sustaining a strong gallop for second in the Maiden 1215 metres on 2 December at Rotorua. Third placed stable-mate Radegast (Savabeel) has since won, and he looks a readymade favourite from barrier one in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres.

4.14 p.m. R4 2 Navalha (3 g Sebring - Afiado) - Opie Bosson; had previously finished fourth from three starts in N.S.W., looked good finding the line in two trials, and debuts for the stable in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Not easy from a wide draw (13), but the right drag into contention could see him closing strongly. 

4.49 p.m. R5 4 Rip Van Gogh  (3 g Rip Van Winkle - On the Move) - Opie Bosson; freshened after a notable debut effort for fourth in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 23 September at Matamata - a good form race - and won at the trials on 14 December at Te Aroha. Further improved, he could race into calculations with luck from barrier 12 $10,000 Maiden 1050 metres. 

5.24 p.m. R6 1 Boutonniere  (3 g Burgundy - Bouquet) - Troy Harris; tired from a handy position when resuming in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on 15 November at Waverley, and given time (38 days), he contests the corresponding event. He capped three thirds with win a deserved victory over 1400 metres last campaign and capable of improvement with the right trip from barrier 10. 

5.24 p.m. R6 3 Vicenza  (4 m Sacred Falls - Tonic) - Samantha Collett; recorded back-to-back wins before spelling in March, but without much luck in three starts since. She kept up a solid gallop for fourth when trialling on 1 December at Te Aroha, and resumes in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. Not overly big, but drawn well enough in barrier six to enable a solid effort. 

5.24 p.m. R6 4 Lucky Shark  (4 g Darci Brahma - Shamardal Luck) - Opie Bosson; over-raced working forward and had nothing at the business end when resuming in the Rating 65 1215 metres on 2 December at Rotorua. Ideally drawn (4) in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, considerable improvement is sought.

5.24 p.m. R6 7 Scottish Star  (5 m Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Vinny Colgan; closed the margin after being shuffled back to last when resuming in the Rating 65 1215 metres on 2 December at Rotorua, and steps up in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres. She won here on debut with some authority and ideally drawn (3) to show improvement.

5.24 p.m. R6 8 Vincere  (4 m Pins - Lasting Luck) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); came clear for a deserved victory in the Maiden 1400 metres on 3 December at New Plymouth, capping good form. Ideally drawn (2), with weight relief to 53kgs, she faces a stiffer task but has the ability to measure up in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres.

5.24 p.m. R6 11 Campionessa  (3 f Contributer - Bella Contributer) - Danielle Johnson; won stylishly at the trials on 12 November at Ellerslie, before finding a perfect spot and pinning her ears back to win on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1215 metres on 2 December at Rotorua. Up in grade and distance for the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, she has drawn (1) to receive a sweet trip and shapes to race well again.

5.24 p.m. R6 15 Reiko  (4 m Reliable Man - Lady Eiko) - Leith Innes; fought well for fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 13 November at Awapuni, and back in class after contesting the Stella Artois Championship Qualifier (Rating 65, 1400m) on 28 November at Ellerslie. Drawn wide (14) makes it tough in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres.

6.01 p.m. R7 7 Combat Queen (4 m Pierro - Missy Cummings) - Danielle Johnson; fought on behind the leading division after racing handily in the $11,000 Rating 74 1400 metres on 11 December at Tauranga, second-up against a strong field, and contests the corresponding event. A course winner over 1600 metres, the right trip from barrier six can coincide with a genuine effort.

6.34 p.m. R8 3 Military Step  (5 g Tavistock - Marching On) - Opie Bosson; has kept improving in four starts during this campaign: sixth, fourth, second, and second again last time out when stepped up in the $10,000 Rating 65 2100 metres on 25 November at Te Rapa. Despite drawing wide (13) in the $15,000 Rating 65 2000 metres, he brings the form to rate a top three chance.

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