Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has eight horses racing on Friday 7 December at Matamata.

As on race morning the conditions were: fine and Slow8, rail true. 8mls rain forecast Thursday and no rain Friday.

12.02 p.m. R1 12 Luminous (3 f Reliable Man - Keenly) - Shafiq Rusof; came from last with an eye-catching performance for second on debut in the Maiden 1400 metres on 23 November at New Plymouth, and ideally drawn (4) in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres. A standout white filly, from the talented race mare Keenly (Keeninsky), winner of three races up to 2200 metres, she rates a top three chance if appreciative of conditions.

12.37 p.m. R2 14 Savy Yong Blonk (3 f Savabeel - Ampin) - Shafiq Rusof; got back after slipping at the start and short of room in a very competitive 34.8 for the last 600m when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 23 November at New Plymouth. Drawn barrier nine in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres, she also rates a top three chance if appreciative of conditions.

1.47 p.m. R4 9 Cicciolina (3 f Burgundy - A La Votre) - Matt Cameron; followed a second and third, respectively, on heavy ground when trialling in August, sprinting home from off the pace to win her 1000-metre trial here recently on Slow9. Likely to encounter similar going on debut in the $10,000 Maiden 1100 metres, the strength of her performances should enable a bold effort.

1.47 p.m. R4 11 Lady Jess (3 f Darci Brahma - Lady Classique) - Shafiq Rusof; debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 1100 metres. She has shown to handle rain-affected footing with two accomplished performances for second and third on heavy and slow ground, respectively. Her dam, Lady Classique (Stravinsky), won six races to 1400 metres, and trial form suggests a bold showing from barrier four.

2.22 p.m. R5 6 Pinot Grey (3 f Burgundy - Streaming) - Opie Bosson; was a clear last after beginning slowly in the Rating 65 1200 metres last Thursday at Avondale, and did very well to finish fourth given the circumstances. Ideally drawn (5) in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she handled heavy ground when winning her only trial as a two-year-old, before a five length debut victory on good footing, and has the quality to rate highly.

2.57 p.m. R6 2 Gris Dame (4 m Reliable Man - Double Babu) - Opie Bosson; stakes placed in the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) last season, but below par against a strong field in the Rating 72 1400 metres on 15 November at Awapuni. Back in grade for the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she has the addition of a tongue tie and capable of a much improved showing.

3.32 p.m. R7 5 Qian Gua (4 g Cape Blanco - Cool Diamonds) - Opie Bosson; ran a very good race, after leading, for second to subsequent Waverley Cup (2200m) and Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) winner Glory Days (Red Giant) in the Rating 72 1800 metres on 2 November at New Plymouth, before over-racing and being attacked in the Rating 72 2100 metres on 24 November at Awapuni. Back in distance for the $11,000 Rating 72 1600 metres, his strong course form: two wins and a second from four starts over 1600m on rain-affected ground, provides the right platform to bounce back from barrier one.

4.07 p.m. R8 2 Elegant D'Oro (5 m Medaglia d'Oro - Elegant Fashion) - Opie Bosson; peaked on her run when resuming in the Rating 72 1600 metres on 13 November at Te Aroha, and steps in distance for the $10,000 Rating 65 2000 metres. Twice a winner to 2100 metres when last campaigned, she is yet to be tested on slow ground but could produce an improved showing if appreciative of conditions.