Te Akau Matamata Sunday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 12 horses entered on Sunday 22 March at Matamata. 

Matamata: 

Weather: fine, track: Soft6, rail: out 11 metres. No rain forecast.

1:08 p.m. R1 9 Chica De Oro (3 f Medaglia d’Oro – Channeled’s Lady) – Craig Grylls; she did well  to finish in second place after being posted three-wide near the pace from an outside draw (9) when debuting in the Maiden 1600 metres on 7 March at New Plymouth, and contests the $18,500 Maiden 2000 metres. It really was a good first-up effort, and she does have the bloodlines that look like she will appreciate the step up in distance. From barrier one, she can put herself right in this race - the first of a stable duo lining up in the first race on the programme. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.90.

1:08 p.m. R1 10 Dujardin (3 f Hello Youmzain – Equestrienne) – Michael McNab; she became the victim of her outside draw (13) when caught three-wide near the pace in the Pearl Series Maiden 1600 metres on 6 March at Te Aroha, also with Michael aboard, and she too contests the Maiden 2000 metres. Ideally drawn this time (4), she has the ability to deliver a top three result if she appreciates the extra distance. Fixed odds: $3.70 & $1.65.

1:40 p.m. R2 6 Miss Perna (2 f Satono Aladdin – If Perhaps) – Craig Grylls; she sustained a determined finish off a three-wide trip to win a trial on 10 March at Elerslie. Resuming in the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses), she has finished third and second respectively in two starts so looks a promising filly. She is from an outstanding family of Group One winners, and from barrier five can certainly finish in the top three in another race featuring two stable representatives. Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.50.

1:40 p.m. R2 7 First Light (2 f Savabeel – Early Morning Rise) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she improved between runners rounding home turn and ran home solidly over a sprint trip for fourth in trial on 3 March at Taupo. She too resumes in the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO 1050 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) and the apprentice engagement means weight relief to 53.5kg. Hers is a family excels over more distance, but she nonetheless shows natural precocity and shapes to race well if she secures a decent trip from barrier seven. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.70. 

2:18 p.m. R3 7 Petite Rocher (3 f Grunt – Little Rock) – Hayley Hassman (a2); the first of two stable starters in the $18,600 Maiden 1200m, she was beaten by a nose after racing outside leader in the Maiden 1150 metres on 6 March at Te Aroha, with Hayley also aboard on that occasion. She improved noticeably with the blinkers on last time, has weight relief to 54kg, and rates a top three chance from barrier six. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.45.

2:18 p.m. R3 12 She Means Business (3 f Circus Maximus – Risque Business) – Matt Cartwright; she ran home well for fourth in a trial on 24 February at Tauranga, and debuts in the Maiden 1200 metres. From a talented family, she is a half-sister to Te Akau trained winner of six from 10 It’s Business Time, and is ideally drawn (3) to commence her racing career with a positive performance. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.75. 

2:50 p.m. R4 14 Naughty Grannie (3 f Embellish – Tad Infinitum) – Hayley Hassman (a2); she positioned handily on the inner from barrier one and ran home well near the rail in the straight for third in a trial on 3 March at Taupo. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres, she will appreciate the weight relief to 54kg, and while it is a good starting point to her racing career on her home track, her wide gate (11) makes it tough. Fixed odds: $9.50 & $2.90.

3:27 p.m. R5 7 Arrazola (3 f Almanzor – Shanzam) – Craig Grylls; she found the line strongly for fifth after travelling three back on the inner when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 28 February, with also with Craig aboard, and contests the $18,500 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres. She is the sister to Group Three winner and multiple Group placed Mary Shan, and her Group Three winning grand-dam Shanzero (Danzero) impressed over 1600 metres. One of two in the race for the team, she looks a first four contender if she can work past her tricky alley (9). Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.95.

3:27 p.m. R5 8 Bella Chica (3 f Embellish – Seduced) – Michael McNab; she was eased from her outside gate to settle last, being 10 lengths off the leaders at the 600m, but ran home well for fourth in a trial on 10 March at Ellerslie. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres, she was a trial winner in December at Pukekohe, and should race well first-up from barrier one. Fixed odds: $4.60 & $1.85.

4:00 p.m. R6 13 Typhoon Lucy (3 f Dundeel – Stormy Lucy) – Michael McNab; she settled behind the leader in the trail on a moderate pace, broke clear near the rail in the straight and finished off solidly when fourth in a trial on 10 March at Ellerslie. Resuming in the $18,500 Maiden 1400 metres, she has shown the team she has the ability to race well but her nightmare draw (17) makes it a tough ask. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

4:39 p.m. R7 1 Hakkinen (4 g Savabeel – Miss Scandinavia) – Hayley Hassman (a2); he finished strongly near the rail for second after getting back on the inner when resuming in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 7 March at New Plymouth, with Hayley also in the saddle. As the first of two stable runners lining up in the $18,500 Rating 65 1400 metres, he was a stylish Maiden winner on this course over 1600 metres. He was also fourth in both the Listed Gingernuts Salver and the Group 2 Avondale Guineas, both over 2100 metres. His plus is the weight relief to 59.5kg, and while he has shown he will prefer further, he does have the ability to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50.

4:39 p.m. R7 7 Viva Glam (4 m Savabeel – Style By Design) – Michael McNab; she got back on the inner, improved to fifth at the 600m, and ran home nicely near the rail while holding her position in  a trial on 3 March at Taupo. Resuming in the $18,500 Rating 65 1400 metres, she has been a previous course winner, has shown that she can perform well when fresh and should race well first-up from barrier six. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.45. 

Main picture - Hakkinen winning