Te Akau Matamata Sunday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has twelve horses racing on Sunday 2 February at Matamata.

Weather: fine, track: Dead6, rail: out 4 metres. No rain forecast.

1.45 p.m. R2 5 Laureate (3 g Snitzel - Floria) - Opie Bosson; ran the equal fastest last 600m (33.9) getting home from last to finish sixth in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa. He is improving as a gelding and suited stepping up in distance for the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. 

1.45 p.m. R2 9 Vicenza  (3 f Sacred Falls - Tonic) - Ryan Elliot; closed strongly for fourth when resuming here in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 January, won by stable-mate Phantom Witness (Star Witness). Ideally drawn (2) in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, she rates a top four chance. 

2.20 p.m. R3 2 Phantom Witness  (3 g Star Witness - Fandom) - Opie Bosson; followed a smart trial win with a debut victory here in the Maiden 1200 metres on 7 January, ridden by Bosson, and steps up in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Naturally athletic, he appears capable of measuring up from barrier five.

2.20 p.m. R3 4 Duck Road  (4 g Ekraar - Silver Buttons) - Michael McNab; kept up a solid gallop for third when trialling here on 14 December and resumes in the $10,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He raced well at this time last year, has acted fresh, and ideally drawn (4).

2.55 p.m. R4 9 Markus Aurelius  (3 g Ghibellines - Evancho) - Opie Bosson; came from well back to grab second when trialling here on 14 December and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. With the pedigree to appreciate staying distances, and drawn wide (11), finding the line solidly would be an encouraging start. 

2.55 p.m. R4 11 O'Pristine  (4 m O'Reilly - So Pristine) - Michael McNab; positioned outside the leader when finishing second at the trials here on 14 December and resumes in the $10,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Although bred to go further, she has the draw (1) to produce a bold effort. 

3.30 p.m. R5 5 Need I Say More  (2 g No Nay Never - Bo Bardi) - Opie Bosson; went forward to lead and won without serious urging when trialling here on 14 December. By an unbeaten two-year-old and a sire making waves in Europe, his dam won over 1400 metres in Australia. On debut, he shapes to race well from barrier two in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. 

3.30 p.m. R5 10 Miss Aotearoa  (2 f Per Incanto - Danex) - Michael McNab; kept going strongly after quickening to lead when winning at the trials here on 14 December and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. From a mare that has left eight winners of 20 races, she has won both her trials and should race well from barrier five.

3.30 p.m. R5 11 Cornflower Blue  (2 f Savabeel - Tiffany Yellow) - Danielle Johnson; travelled well in second and never off the bridle finishing second to Miss Aotearoa (above) in her first trial on 14 December at Matamata, and debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 2YO 1100 metres. By five-time Champion Stallion Savabeel (Zabeel), who recently sired Cool Aza Beel to win the fourth consecutive Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200 metres) for Te Akau, she is from a terrific family and should go well despite drawing wide (11).

4.05 p.m. R6 3 Ginger Too (3 g Iffraaj - La Chiflota) - Opie Bosson; has finished third and second, respectively, since hitting the line strongly to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 12 November at Te Aroha. He brings the right form to rate an each way chance in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. 

4.05 p.m. R6 8 Combat Queen  (3 f Pierro - Missy Cummings) - Michael McNab; recorded a dominant win on 11 December at Hastings, and followed with a notable fourth here on 7 January in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres. Ideally drawn (4) in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres, she rates a top four chance. 

4.40 p.m. R7 3 Fabulous Flight  (5 g I Am Invincible - Court Flying) - Opie Bosson; was without all favours when resuming with a good third in the $11,000 Rating 72 1400 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa, running the fastest last 600m (33.2) on the day, and contests the corresponding event. A winner three times to 1600 metres, he appears capable of threatening from barrier four. 

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