Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses racing on Wednesday 18 April at Matamata.

As on Tuesday 17 April the conditions were: overcast and Heavy10, rail true. 2mls rain forecast Tuesday, 1.5mls Wednesday morning.

1.07 p.m. R2 8 Quattro Katie (2 f Zoustar - Kakakakatie) - Michael McNab; trialled very well, with a win and two seconds from three starts, on both good and heavy footing (beating stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock)), and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. A lovely pedigree, her sire Zoustar (Northern Meteor) has made an immediate impact with his first crop two-year-olds, and she has plenty of two-year-old form on her dam side to suggest a bold first up showing.

3.29 p.m. R6 1 Chadsdale (6 g Castledale - Geeiliani) - Michael McNab; had looked good at the trials before resuming with a courageous win on 16 March in the Rating 65 1200 metres at Te Aroha, and should lose no admirers for his last start run at the same venue on 7 April in a leader dominated Rating 75 1400 metres. While the footing raises some concerns, he has raced solidly on both soft and heavy going and rates an each way chance in the $11,000 Rating 70 1400 metres.

4.39 p.m. R8 3 Qian Gua (3 g Cape Blanco - Cool Diamonds) - Cameron Lammas; was given a top ride to win the Maiden 1600 metres here on 28 March, following an encouraging sixth on debut, and contests the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. He has trained on, shown to handle off ground, and should acquit himself well up in grade.