Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing at the twilight meeting on Wednesday 14 December at Matamata.

As on Tuesday 13 December the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 4.5 metres. 1.5mls rain forecast race day afternoon.

2.08 p.m. R1 8 Shocking Luck (3 g Shocking - Shamardal Luck) - Cameron Lammas; worked through the line solidly for fourth to winning stable-mate King Kane (Showcasing) in the Maiden 1600 metres on 6 November at Hastings, after finding the line for sixth on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres at Ruakaka. He was accepted for the Maiden 2040 metres recently at Wanganui, but the meeting was abandoned, and now contests the Maiden 2000 metres. The plan is to secure a reasonable position, but he will require luck in the early stages from a wide draw. His dam Shamardal Luck (Shamardal) won over 2100 metres and stepping up in distance looks ideal.

2.43 p.m. R2 15 Kuia (3 f Guillotine - Triage) - Matt Cameron; was scratched when the track downgraded to slow last Friday at Tauranga, and drawn barrier fifteen in the Maiden 1600 metres. She showed gate speed to race handily and fought hard for fifth on debut in the Maiden 1400 metres on 23 November at Te Aroha, and should have derived natural improvement. The mile chute provides those with tactical pace an opportunity to secure a good spot and she rates a top five chance with luck on her side.

3.53 p.m. R4 2 Exhibition (3 g Showcasing - Winds of Savannah) - Michael McNab; finished off them on debut in quite a smart Maiden 3YO 1200 metres field at Avondale, won by Bruce Arthur (Showcasing), with second placed Hurry (Savabeel) a winner on Sunday at Ellerslie. Drawn barrier nine in the corresponding event, he has a nasal strip and nose band added to his gear and a chance to show improvement before stepping up in distance.

3.53 p.m. R4 15 Zip Zap (3 f Stravinsky - Miss Zapper) - Matt Cameron; finished fourth in both preparatory trials, each with Te Akau apprentice Jasmine Fawcett aboard, and following two educational races as a two-year-old she resumes in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. She requires one scratching to make the field, while already off the ballot with a start in the following race at 4.27 p.m. She has drawn wide in both races, but with luck an encouraging run should set up a nice summer campaign.

4.27 p.m. R5 8 Scarlet Princess (3 f Redwood - Volks Princess) - Cameron Lammas; makes her debut from barrier nine in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Second to subsequent Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1340m) winner and Victoria Derby (Gr. 1, 2500m) runner Highlad (High Chaparral) when trialling in August at Te Teko, she weaved through from last, with Lammas aboard, to win her most recent trial on 22 November at Te Teko. Touted by track rider Milou Grylls as a filly to look out for, she receives an ideal opportunity to make an immediate impression on her home track.

5.42 p.m. R7 16 Savvy Lady (3 f Savabeel - Modern Lady) - Cameron Lammas; kept running on behind the body of the field on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres at Pukekohe, and again drawn to receive an economical trip in the Maiden 1400 metres. With the pedigree to go further, being from the family of City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Zarius (Zabeel), trained by Mark Walker, she strikes a strong field but should not be too far away.

7.35 p.m. R10 11 Dame Margo Fonteyn (3 f High Chaparral - Dancing Forever) - Matt Cameron; became the hundredth winner trained by Te Akau for John Galvin/his Fortuna Syndications, with a smart fresh up performance in the Maiden 1400 metres on Dead6 at New Plymouth. Up in grade and distance to contest the Rating 65 1600 metres, she has drawn favourably in barrier three and possesses the right attributes not to be overwhelmed.