Te Akau Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has three horses entered for the eight-race programme on Wednesday Aug. 27 at Matamata.

As on Monday Aug. 25 the conditions were: fine and Slow9, rail out 7 metres.

2.05 p.m. R4 1 Fast Fiction (5 g Fastnet Rock - Paperback) - Lee Magorrian (a3); was shadowed in front and kept up a solid finish for third in the Benchmark 65 1000 metres last Wednesday at Taupo. He fought hard for a close second prior in the Benchmark 65 1200 metres at Hastings, and steps out again over 1200 metres. He has placed in each of his three starts this time in, all on slow ground, trainer Jason Bridgman has been happy with his progress through the week and an apprentice claim reduces his impost to 56kgs.

3.49 p.m. R7 1 Highly Likely (4 g High Chaparral - Starrinka) - Lee Magorrian (a3); was given a freshen-up after a courageous maiden win over 2200 metres on Heavy11 footing on June 18 at Te Aroha, at only his second start, and resumes off 70-days in the Benchmark 65 1600 metres. He wears blinkers for the assignment and will be looking to get home strongly ahead of stepping up in distance next time out.

4.24 p.m. R8 1 Secret Whisper (6 g Align - Danewhisper) - Lee Magorrian (a3); finished fourth on Aug. 7 in the Benchmark 75 1600 metres on Slow8 footing at Hastings, and has won a hurdles trial in the interim at Ellerslie. Two of his four wins have been on this course and stepping up in distance for the Benchmark 75 2000 metres on slow ground should see him competitive in this field.