Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses entered for the ten race programme on Friday 15 January at Matamata.

As on Thursday 14 January the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true.

1.10 p.m. R3 6 Zambezi Warrior (3 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Matt Cameron; resumed with a top run for second to Provocative (Zabeel) on Dec. 27 in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres at New Plymouth. Provocative has since finished fourth against three-year-olds at Ellerslie. Stepping to 1600 metres is ideal for a horse destined to go further and with luck in running from a wide draw he looks a very good chance.

1.45 p.m. R4 1 Skyscraper (4 g Manhattan Rain - Grand Performance) - Cameron Lammas; has been freshened since racing over 2100 metres on Oct. 26 at Woodville, and resumes in a Maiden 1600 metres. A consistent performer, he has drawn nicely and rates a top five chance before stepping up again in distance.

2.55 p.m. R6 13 Vinevale (3 f Flying Spur - Eden Valley) - Matt Cameron; was impressive winning the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on debut at Avondale, before getting back in an awkward position and making ground belatedly on Dec. 27 in the $12,000 Rating 65 NZB Pearl Series 1400 metres at Rotorua. Again drawn the ace, in the corresponding event, she appears a strong chance if presented into the clear sooner.

3.30 p.m. R7 7 Herschal (3 g Savabeel - Starring) - Matt Cameron; was ridden too prominently on debut over 1100 metres at Avondale, and has been given time since. Expected to find his feet from barrier nine in the Maiden 1200 metres, he should then round off positively.

4.05 p.m. R8 12 Cabaret (3 f Showcasing - Something Majic) - Cameron Lammas; finished third in a recent trial at Te Aroha, and makes her debut from barrier two in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres. Her dam, Something Majic (Mohamed Abdu), was extremely proficient on heavy going. With quite good form in the race, finishing in the first five would be encouraging.

4.39 p.m. R9 10 Tavis Star (4 m Tavistock - Megapins) - Matt Cameron; made good ground after being flushed widest turning for home on Jan. 1 in the Rating 75 1600 metres at Hastings, having been in exemplary form prior. She has the pedigree to appreciate stepping up in distance for the Rating 75 2000 metres, is drawn to receive an economical trip, and appears a genuine each way hope in a race of solid chances.