Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing on Friday 13 January at Matamata.

On race morning the conditions were: raining and Dead4, rail out 8 metres. 4mls rain forecast race day morning.

1.14 p.m. R2 12 Pure Savalina (3 f Savabeel - Catalina) - Opie Bosson; fought solidly for sixth off a tough run in the Maiden 1400 metres on 21 December at Tauranga, after a brave debut effort for fifth to winning stable-mate Alamosa Express (Alamosa) at Pukekohe. Up to a mile should suit and luck from barrier twelve can enable a top five result.

1.49 p.m. R3 12 Fashionably (3 f Redoute's Choice - Scarlett Lady) - Opie Bosson; closed off stylishly once balanced in the straight for fourth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 21 December at Tauranga, after finding the line in similar fashion for second on debut in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres at New Plymouth. Very good winning her first trial here on the home course and despite a wide draw she looks a major player in the Maiden 1600 metres.

4.50 p.m. R8 7 Tiffany's Time (3 f Alamosa - Tinsel Time) - Opie Bosson; freshened since finishing third to subsequent Eulogy Stakes, and Eight Carat Classic, winner Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge), she resumes off 62 days in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series 1400 metres (eligible for $11,500 bonus). Two starts ago she drew clear to win her Maiden over this distance at Avondale, and with surrounding form warranting respect it just remains a matter of overcoming an awkward draw to figure prominently.

4.50 p.m. R8 8 Tatters (4 m Tavistock - Rattle) - Craig Grylls; resumed with a terrific run off the trail for third in the $22,500 Rating 65 1200 metres on 29 December at Ellerslie, with Bosson aboard, and should have derived improvement for it. Drawn barrier two, she too is eligible for the bonus in the Pearl Series 1400 metres and gives the stable a strong hand in the race.

5.20 p.m. R9 2 Shocking Luck (3 g Shocking - Shamardal Luck) - Ryan Elliot (a2); looked a staying horse of considerable promise when winning the Maiden 2000 metres by two and a half lengths here on 14 December, and steps up in grade for the Rating 65 2000 metres. Claiming two kilos to a more respectable 57kgs, the manner of his victory suggested he is well and truly up to the task and receives a chance to show that from barrier seven.