Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has nine horses entered on Wednesday 17 March at Matamata.

Weather: cloudy, track: Dead5, rail: out 6 metres. No rain forecast.

12.17 p.m. R1 1 Lucky Shark (4 g Darci Brahma - Shamardal Luck) - Danielle Johnson; continued solid form finishing second in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 3 March at Hastings, and contests the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Notable when fourth here at his last course attempt (29 Jan.), he is ideally drawn (3) to rate a top three chance.

12.17 p.m. R1 3 Radegast  (4 g Savabeel - Marveen) - Troy Harris; produced another notable effort finishing fourth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 25 February at Pukekohe, and steps up in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He brings the right form to rate a top three chance from barrier two.

12.17 p.m. R1 4 Boutonniere  (4 g Burgundy - Bouquet) - Michael McNab; finished third in the same race as Lucky Shark (above) on 3 March at Hastings, and contests the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Solid in three of his last four races, including a third here three starts ago, he rates a top four chance with luck from barrier nine.

12.17 p.m. R1 10 Shebringsmerubies  (5 m Sebring - Run Away Ruby) - Joe Kamaruddin (a3); ran the fastest last 600m (35.7) closing to finish two lengths away in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 21 February at Hastings. She won her Maiden here, claims to 52.5kg, and rates a top three chance with luck from barrier eight.

12.52 p.m. R2 9 Charmaine's Dream  (3 f Charm Spirit - Scatter Cat) - Danielle Johnson; sustained her effort for third when trialling on 3 March at Rotorua, and resumes in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1050 metres. She was notable finishing third here over 1100 metres before spelling, has the speed to negate barrier 10, and natural ability to rate a top three chance.

2.02 p.m. R4 3 The Panther  (3 g Iffraaj - La Panthere) - Troy Harris; delivered off a perfect trip when debuting in the Maiden 1100 metres on 27 February at Otaki, and ideally drawn (1) to prove competitive in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres.

2.02 p.m. R4 9 Awareness (4 m Redoute's Choice - Aware) - Danielle Johnson; won her only start as a three-year-old, and trialled twice in preparation to resume in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She requires luck from barrier eight.

3.49 p.m. R7 4 Military Step  (5 g Tavistock - Marching On) - Joe Kamaruddin (a3); freshened since a deserved and comprehensive victory in the Rating 65 2040 metres on 14 January at Wanganui. He worked through the line nicely over a sprint trip when trialling on 3 March at Rotorua, and resumes in the $20,000 South Waikato Cup (Open, 2000m). Out of his rightful grade, but weight relief to 52.5kg and has ability.

3.49 p.m. R7 8 Zouluminous  (4 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Samantha Collett; has been given time (26 days) since finishing fifth in a good field for the Rating 74 1600 metres on 19 February at Wanganui. Out of her grade, but capable of racing well with luck from the outside gate (9) in the $20,000 South Waikato Cup (Open, 2000m).