Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand trainer Jason Bridgman has three horses entered for the card on Friday 17 January.

As of Thursday morning, the track was rated dead 4 after irrigation all week, with the rail out 5.5 metres under blue skies.

12:43 R1 8 Opulent - Matthew Cameron; a consistent performer that was badly hampered at the start in her last effort at Te Rapa over 1600m. The step up to 2000m on her home track should be to her advantage. A suitable pace scenario and some luck in the running would see her break her maiden status.

1:18 R2 3 Sonsy - Matthew Cameron; unlucky in her last start over 1600m at Taranaki when trapped behind runners until the final 100m, she is a quality filly with a good barrier draw whose recent work suggest she will be right in this.

1:51 R3 1 Maestro - Lee Magorrian (a2); thrice a place-getter over 1400m, he drops back to the distance after two attempts at further distances. Drawn the inside barrier on his home track with 2kg weight relief and blinkers staying on, he should figure in the finish.