Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has five horses racing on Wednesday 20 December at Matamata - twilight meeting.

As on Tuesday 19 December the conditions were: fine and Dead5, rail out 2.5 metres. 1ml rain forecast Tuesday, 2mls race day.

3.22 p.m. R2 6 Bak Da Master (3 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess) - Michael McNab; has been freshened since finishing second on debut to subsequent 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) placed Ever Loyal (Sebring), and returns to the fray off 63 days in preparation for age group staying assignments. With the addition of visor blinkers in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres, he brings the right form line to be competitive and footing with the fire out suits fine.

3.59 p.m. R3 13 Dazed and Confused (4 m Showcasing - Real Success) - Michael McNab; found the line from well back when fifth on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 10 November at Avondale, and the expectation of natural improvement should enable each way prospects with a decent run from barrier nine in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. There is no shortage of quality in the family and she was a trial winner here in March on Dead4.

5.09 p.m. R5 16 Verbal Command (3 f Commands - Donna Sienna) - Cameron Lammas; backs up with the addition of blinkers in the $10,000 Maiden 2000 metres, after finishing sixth last Thursday in the Maiden 1600 metres at Hastings. Thought suggests the staying caper will prove her forte and she receives an ideal opportunity.

6.53 p.m. R8 2 Don'tblamethemusic (4 g Coats Choice - Blame the Music) - Tegan Newman (a4); went to the line untested - when denied room - in Rating 75 1400 metres on 2 December at Ellerslie, and drops in grade and class for the $11,000 Rating 70 1200 metres. Claiming four-kilos to 53.5kgs, blinkers on, and ideally drawn in barrier four, are all pointers towards a bold performance.

6.53 p.m. R8 6 Aquilo (3 g Snitzel - My My Maree) - Cameron Lammas; had a race best forgotten when missing the start by six lengths on 24 November at New Plymouth, having made ground for fourth when resuming on 4 November in the 3YO 1200 metres at Tauranga. With the addition of side winkers and ideally drawn (1) in the $11,000 Rating 70 1200 metres, he is a stakes' placed performer that can certainly make amends.