Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses entered for the eight race programme on Wednesday 4 May at Matamata.

As on Tuesday 3 May the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail true. No rain forecast.

11.57 a.m. R1 7 I See Fire (3 f Encosta De Lago - Chasing Mammon) - Matt Cameron; stayed on well for third over 1580 metres at Waipa, and more distance is expected to suit in the Maiden 2000 metres. In an even field, she is drawn to receive an economical trip and has been genuine in her racing endeavours to date.

1.07 p.m. R3 11 Fastnet Fire (3 f Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Matt Cameron; finished third in a recent trial over 1000 metres at Avondale, and expected to appreciate more distance in the Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres. She has blinkers on and appears ideally placed to debut.

3.27 p.m. R7 1 Splurge (3 c Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Matt Cameron; was ridden outside the leader with blinkers and tongue tie in the Maiden 1400 metres on Slow7 at Te Aroha, and only claimed in the last few strides. Although drawn wide in the Maiden 1600 metres, he will be ridden positively again and a repeat performance would rate him a strong chance.

3.27 p.m. R7 13 La Dama (3 f High Chaparral - Star Affair) - Cameron Lammas; tied up in the slow going on debut in the Maiden 1400 metres at Rotorua, and steps to a mile, on better footing, from barrier two. Although boasting the pedigree of a middle distance mare, being from the family of The Grin (Grosvenor), The Jewel (O'Reilly) etc, an improved performance is expected.