Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses entered for the nine-race premier programme on Saturday 21 February at Matamata.  

As on Thursday 19 February the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true.

Te Akau Racing's Jason Bridgman chats about Gr.2 J Swap contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes contender and Listed Reid & Harrison (1980) Limited Slipper runner Unsurpassed below:

1.30 p.m. R3 8 Arpeggio (3 f Tavistock - Macchiato) - Matt Cameron; again displayed promising attributes to record her second win from only three starts on Karaka Million night, Jan. 25, in the Special Conditions 1200 metres at Ellerslie. The rider on that occasion, James McDonald, said she: “dug deep and responded to hard riding”. Up in class to contest the 3YO 1400 metres, she will be strongly supported in the market behind likely favourite Smarts Encosta (Encosta De Lago). Her dam, Macchiato (Night Shift), was impressive winning four of her nine starts for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker and this filly has inherited her ability.

2.05 p.m. R4 4 Unsurpassed (2 c Exceed and Excel - Alamantra) - Matt Cameron; never received all favours when finishing second to race rival Rocanto (Per Incanto) on Jan. 31 in the 2YO 1200 metres at Te Rapa. On debut prior, he dictated a moderate tempo and quickened up nicely for a dominant win at Hawera. Drawn barrier four of six in the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m), he faces stern opposition from the three in the field above him but has done little wrong and should prove competitive if he settles in the run.

3.15 p.m. R6 4 Special Memories (2 f Fastnet Rock - Memories of You) - Matt Cameron; displayed gate speed and a good way of going to win the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on Jan. 30 at New Plymouth, having done every right when second to Link Road (Guillotine) on debut prior at Te Rapa. Currently a $10 sixth favourite in the fixed odds market for the prestigious Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), she has the quality to be right amongst it with a trip to suit.

3.52 p.m. R7 8 Spellbinder (4 m O'Reilly - Scenic Sprint) - Matt Cameron; finished second in a recent trial behind Atlante (Fastnet Rock) in preparation to resume off 189-days in the Open 1200 metres. Although winning a couple of times earlier in her career over 1200 metres, trainer Jason Bridgman said she will obviously be more adept when getting up in trip but feels that her class will count for a solid performance. She has won four of her nine starts, including the Soliloquy Stakes (Listed, 1400m) and Karaka 3YO Mile (Listed, 1600m). She finished third in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and second in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m).