Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has five horses entered on Wednesday 31 March at Matamata.

Weather: overcast, track: Slow8, rail: out 9 metres. 50mls rain forecast race day.

1.11 p.m. R2 6 Synchronize (2 f Savabeel - Splits) - Danielle Johnson; has won three from three at the trials, most recently when quickening appreciably on 16 March at Cambridge. She appears the one to beat, drawn barrier one, on debut in the $10,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres (eligible $8,000 bonus).

1.46 p.m. R3 6 Felicienne (3 f Savabeel - Flavigny) - Michael McNab; finished third, second, fourth, respectively, during three starts in her first campaign and finished strongly to win when trialling on 16 March at Cambridge. She brings form in strong fields, has the addition of visor blinkers, and rates a top three chance fresh-up in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres.

2.56 p.m. R5 6 The Mighty Spar (3 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Opie Bosson; ran on from well back for sixth when debuting in the Maiden 1200 metres on 21 February at Hastings, and similar for fifth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 12 March at Pukekohe. He rates a top three chance in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres.

2.56 p.m. R5 11 Illusion of Paris (3 f Pure Champion - Phantom of Paris) - Danielle Johnson; raced well for second and third, respectively, before contesting the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 1 January at Ellerslie. She finished well for third when trialling on 16 March at Cambridge, and rates a top three chance fresh-up in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres.

4.09 p.m. R7 1 Bak Da Master (6 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Joe Kamaruddin (a3); recorded four wins during his previous campaign, most recently by nearly six lengths in the Rating 74 2200 metres on 31 October at Awapuni. He rolled home nicely over a sprint trip to finish third when trialling on 16 March at Cambridge, and resumes in the $11,000 Rating 74 1600 metres. He acts fresh, weight relief to 57kg, and handles give in the ground.