Te Akau Matamata Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has four horses entered on Sunday 23 March at Matamata.

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: out 9 metres. No rain forecast. 

1:15 p.m. R3 1 Fury Of Flight (2 c Zoustar – Ready To Soar) – Craig Grylls; he stretched out well to win a trial on 5 March at Taupo, and contests the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series – Noms Close 31 March 2YO 1050 metres. He drew out to win a trial before finishing third on debut over 1100 metres in November at Otaki, and has in fact won three of four trials. The blinkers are on, and has first four claims if he can find luck in the running from the outside barrier (11). Fixed odds: $2.15 & $1.20.

2:35 p.m. R5 1 The Sky Above (4 m American Pharoah – Blue Blue Sky) – Craig Grylls; she did well finding a handy spot from outside gate (10) and sustained a good effort for second in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 1 March. Contesting the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series – Noms Close 31 March Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (bonus eligible), she has placed seven times, and is capable of proving competitive and breaking her maiden status but she too will need a lot to go her way from a difficult draw (11).  Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.40. 

3:15 p.m. R6 1 Sense of Timing (4 m Time Test – Pin Up Lae) – Triston Moodley (a2); she made ground after getting back to last from an outside gate (10) when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres here on 12 March, also with Moodley aboard. Contesting the $18,500 Rating 65 1400 metres, she has the benefit of weight relief to 58kg, has been a second-up winner over 1400 metres, and can deliver a top three finish from a handy barrier (4) - one of two in the event for the team. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $1.90.

3:15 p.m. R6 2 When Stars Align (3 c Zoustar – Shenandoah) – Craig Grylls; he sustained a good gallop in the Group & Listed trial on 26 February at Taupo, and kept finding for second, after leading, when resuming in the 3YO 1200 metres on 8 March at New Plymouth. He did well when finishing third in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), and looks capable of a dividend paying finish from barrier one. Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.45 (main picture)