Te Akau Matamata Monday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has 16 horses racing on Monday 25 January at Matamata.

Weather: cloudy, track: Dead4, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

11.41 a.m. R1 10Spirit of Gold (4 m Medaglia d'Oro - Full of Spirit) - Danielle Johnson; was exposed near the pace and kept finding for second in the Maiden 1800 metres on 30 December at Taupo, and steps up in the $10,000 Maiden 2000 metres. Able to find cover from a wide draw (15), she brings the right form to rate a top three chance.

12.11 p.m. R2 2 Lightning Field (4 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Troy Harris; was heavily supported when running into third here on 23 December in the Maiden 1400 metres, and given time (33 days) he contests the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He rates a top three chance from barrier six.

12.11 p.m. R2 13Under Her Spell (3 f Not A Single Doubt - Bewitching) - Danielle Johnson; was unsuited on slow ground when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 3 December at New Plymouth, and improved to finish third in the Maiden 1100 metres on 30 December at Taupo. A similar effort from barrier five in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres would provide top three prospects.

12.46 p.m. R3 3 Noverre (2 c Savabeel - Magic Dancer) - Troy Harris; presented on straightening and galloped home stylishly to win well at the trials here on 12 January, and debuts in the $10,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. Two trials, two wins, he shapes to race accordingly.

12.46 p.m. R3 8 Polly Plum (2 f Xtravagant - Herstory) - Danielle Johnson; switched ground inner and worked home solidly for fourth when trialling here on 12 January, and debuts in the $10,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. Her dam won three races to 1400 metres in Australia, including a debut victory over 1200 metres as a two-year-old.

1.21 p.m. R4 6 Navalha (3 g Sebring - Afiado) - Troy Harris; had previously finished fourth from three starts in N.S.W., and created a favourable impression winning first-up here on 23 December in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Ideally drawn (3) in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, he appears capable of handling the step up.

1.56 p.m. R5 9 Feelin' Fancy (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Frivolous) - Danielle Johnson; recorded two fourths before missing out on 20 November in the Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres at New Plymouth. Off a break, she made good ground late flashing into third when trialling here on 12 January and receives a chance to emulate on race day in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres.

2.31 p.m. R6 13 Confectionery (4 m Per Incanto - Not A Jaffa) - Danielle Johnson; showed ability through the trials stage, but unsuited by downgrading Heavy10 footing when resuming in the $10,000 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha. Inclined to do a few things wrong, she has ear covers on in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres and seeking improvement.

2.31 p.m. R6 18 Diamond Riviere (3 f Pierro - Special Gemstone) - Samantha Collett; finished rearward on debut in the Maiden 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and steps up in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She receives a chance to show improvement.

3.06 p.m. R7 13 Speed of Light (3 f Proisir - Light Source) - Danielle Johnson; rounded off solidly for sixth on debut, and notable finishing third here in the Maiden 1400 metres on 23 December. She never flattered in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 7 January at Ruakaka, but capable of better in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres.

4.16 p.m. R9 5 Boutonniere (3 g Burgundy - Bouquet) - Joe Kamaruddin (a4); co-led and fought well for fourth on downgrading Heavy10 footing in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha, and contests the corresponding event. He has weight relief to 54.5kg and looking for another solid showing.

4.16 p.m. R9 9 Vicenza (4 m Sacred Falls - Tonic) - Samantha Collett; got back and doing her best work through the line when resuming here in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 23 December, won by stable-mate Campioness (Contributer). A winner over 1600 metres, she receives a chance to show further improvement in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres.

4.16 p.m. R9 10 Seajetz (3 g Iffraaj - Bellazeel) - Danielle Johnson; overcame worsening track conditions to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha, and steps up in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. The type to improve up in distance, he rates a top three chance.

4.16 p.m. R9 11 Lucky Shark (4 g Darci Brahma - Shamardal Luck) - Troy Harris; missed the start by six lengths and did incredibly well to make ground for fourth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 9 January at Awapuni, won by stable-mate Vincere (Pins). Away on terms in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, he has shown enough to rate a top four chance.

4.16 p.m. R9 15 Scottish Star (5 m Bullbars - Highland Lights) - Shaun McKay; was solid running fifth to stable-mate Campionessa (Contributer) in good time for the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 23 December, and made up a stack of ground for a notable fourth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 7 January at Ruakaka. A course winner on her home track, she requires luck from barrier 14.

4.51 p.m. R10 13 Zouluminous (4 m Zoustar - Luminous Harmony) - Danielle Johnson; was given a beautiful ride by Johnson to win the Rating 65 1800 metres on 30 December at Taupo, and steps up in the $11,000 Rating 74 2000 metres. She brings winning form and rates a top three chance from barrier six.