Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has eight horses racing on Wednesday 13 March at Matamata.

As on Tuesday 12 March the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail out 3.5 metres. Showers forecast Wednesday afternoon. 

1.25 p.m. R2 3 Not Usual Dream(3 g Shocking - Walsburgs Dream) - Opie Bosson; freshened since finishing second over 1600m & 1800m, respectively, he resumes off 76 days in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. By a Melbourne Cup winner, from a mare that won five times up to 2200 metres and grand-dam that won twice up to 2200 metres.

2.00 p.m. R3 7 Xplosion(2 f Showcasing - Xpress) - Michael McNab; finished strongly for third on debut and spelled after contesting the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1000m) in October at Trentham. After two solid trials for third, she resumes in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres and should be finding the line with a decent trip from an awkward draw (8).

2.00 p.m. R3 8 Meritorious(2 f Burgundy - Iconic) - Opie Bosson; freshened since a notable fourth on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth, she resumes off 76 days in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. From the family of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Insouciant (Keeper) and another 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner, Dorabella (Postponed), she should go well with a touch of luck from barrier seven.

2.35 p.m. R4 2 Folk Dress(2 f Pierro - Gypsy Chimes) - Opie Bosson; fought hard for fourth on debut in the Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 2 February at New Plymouth, and ran the fastest last 600m (33.6) getting home from the rear for second in the Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 28 February at Pukekohe. She appears a worthy favourite from barrier two in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres.

2.35 p.m. R4 9 Mary Gold(2 f Ocean Park - Gold Rocks) - Michael McNab; trialled well, making ground for fifth and third respectively and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. Her half-sister Gold Fever (Savabeel), bought by David Ellis, was an exceptionally talented juvenile, winning the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) and finishing third in both the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) to become a Champion Two-Year-Old finalist (won by stable-mate Melody Belle (Commands)). The family loves this course and the sort to be finishing strongly. 

3.45 p.m. R6 2 Willpower(3 g Power - The Lady) - Opie Bosson; freshened following two starts in the spring, he sustained a big finish for fourth when trialling over 935 metres in January at Cambridge. Resuming in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres, he has contested strong form races, shows natural ability, and rates an each way chance from barrier seven.

4.20 p.m. R7 1 Fabulous Flight(4 g I Am Invincible - Court Flying) - Nik Bakar (a3); finished strongly from the trail to win the Rating 65 1600 metres, sponsored by Te Akau Racing - Three Times Karaka Million Winner, on 13 February at Te Aroha, and franked the performance winning the Rating 72 1600 metres on 28 February at Pukekohe. In the same grade but up in distance for the $20,000 South Waikato Cup (Rating 72, 2000m), he carries an extra two-kilos yet remains at a competitive weight (56.5kgs) with the claim of Bakar who retains the ride. Facing a tougher field and drawn wide (11), having won three of his last five starts warrants plenty of respect.

4.52 p.m. R8 4 Miss Scandinavia(4 m Smart Missile - Miss Helsinki) - Opie Bosson; made ground from last when resuming on 21 February in the Rating 65 1200 metres at Wairoa, and three days later produced a big finish for second on the same course in the Rating 65 1300 metres. Despite drawing wide (10) in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400 metres, she appears ideally placed to threaten.

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