Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Wednesday 10 February at Matamata.

Weather: Cloudy, track: Dead4, rail: out 7 metres. 3mls rain forecast race day.

12.25 p.m. R1 10 Speed of Light (3 f Proisir - Light Source) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); got back off a wide gate (11) and did well for fifth after circling widest in the Maiden 1600 metres here on 25 January. Racing solidly and weight relief to 52.5kg helps, but draw (11) makes it tough again in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

1.00 p.m. R2 1 Sword of State (2 c Snitzel - In the Vanguard) - Opie Bosson; proved a class above his rivals when winning on debut by 6 ½ lengths in the 2YO 1200 metres on 12 December at Te Rapa, and did well for third to stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) after contesting a fast pace in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie. He appears hardest to beat in the $10,000 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $1.10 (win only)

1.00 p.m. R2 4 Craving (2 f Tivaci - Inscrutable) - Danielle Johnson; quickened through late into second when trialling in December at Avondale, and debuted solidly for fourth over 1100 metres in a good form race on 29 December at New Plymouth. She appears set to improve further in the $10,000 2YO 1100 metres. Fixed odds: $9.50 (win only)

1.35 p.m. R3 10 Melodious (3 f Darci Brahma - Quintette) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); chased a solid pace in third and claimed late to finish second in the Maiden 1400 metres on 20 January at Te Rapa, with Kamaruddin aboard. Racing well, she has weight relief to 53kg and rates a top four chance with the right trip from 10. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

2.10 p.m. R4 7 Feelin' Fancy (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Frivolous) - Opie Bosson; made good ground late flashing into third when trialling here on 12 January, and got home in similar fashion for sixth in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 25 January. Drawn 13 in the $10,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres, she will be looking for a drag into contention. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

2.10 p.m. R4 11 Under Her Spell (3 f Not A Single Doubt - Bewitching) - Danielle Johnson; improved to finish third in the Maiden 1100 metres on 30 December at Taupo, before remaining back in the Maiden 1200 metres here on 25 January. She has the addition of visor blinkers and should appreciate stepping up in the $10,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $11,500 bonus). Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80.

3.20 p.m. R6 2 Seajetz (3 g Iffraaj - Bellazeel) - Danielle Johnson; overcame worsening track conditions to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha, and stepped up with a very good second here in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 25 January. Ideally drawn (4) in the corresponding race, he rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.40 & $1.50.

3.20 p.m. R6 5 Super Sid (4 g Rip Van Winkle - Half Bak) - Opie Bosson; came from last with a big run for second in the Rating 65 1560 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and circled from the rear for fifth in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 15 January at Tauranga. A course winner over 1400 metres with Bosson aboard, he should race well from barrier two. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.40.

3.20 p.m. R6 7 Boutonniere (3 g Burgundy - Bouquet) - Troy Harris; co-led and fought well for fourth on downgrading Heavy10 footing in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha, and lifted well for third after leading here in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 25 January. He is ideally drawn (3) to race well again in the corresponding event. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $3.80.

3.20 p.m. R6 12 Vicenza (4 m Sacred Falls - Tonic) - Samantha Collett; did her best work through the line when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 23 December at Matamata, won by stable-mate Campionessa (Contributer), and solid finishing midfield in the same race as Seajetz and Boutonniere, above, on 25 January. Barrier one assists in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $7.50.

3.20 p.m. R6 16 Scottish Star (5 m Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); sustained a big run from last to finish sixth here in the same race as Seajetz, Boutonniere, and Vicenza, above, on 25 January. A course winner on her home track, she has weight relief to 53kg and should race well again in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $14.00 & $3.90.

3.55 p.m. R7 4 Leaderboard (6 g Street Cry - Flower Fairy) - Troy Harris; freshened after returning from Australia, and after two trials he resumes in the $11,000 Rating 74 1600 metres. A winner over 2400 metres in Ireland, he notched consecutive wins when scoring over 2000 metres during Cup Week last season at Riccarton, and should race well from barrier two before stepping up. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.75.