Te Akau Matamata Thursday Preview

Te Akau Racing has eight horses entered on Thursday 29 February at Matamata. 

Matamata:

Weather: fine, track: Heavy8, rail: out 3 metres. No rain forecast.

12:47 p.m. R2 9 Firriato (4 m Almanzor – Deliciano) – Opie Bosson; she found the line after being slowest to begin in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 7 February, and drops in grade for the $18,500 Rating 60 1400 metres. She resumed with a top win and is capable of bold run, but requires luck from her wide draw (12). Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50.   

1:22 p.m. R3 13 Lightning Dream (3 f Rip Van Winkle – Alana’s Dream) – Opie Bosson; she got back from the outside gate, improved three wide nearing the 600m, and ran home solidly for fourth in a trial on 8 February at Cambridge (poly track). Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres, her dam Alana’s Dream (Bernardini) won at 1600 metres and is a good producer, it's a smart family, and the filly is ideally drawn (4) first-up on her home track. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $4.00.    

1:22 p.m. R3 14 Pensamoi (3 f Turn Me Loose – Lady Louboutin) – Warren Kennedy; she finished back of five over a sprint trip in a trial on 8 February at Cambridge (poly track), and debuts in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. She is the first foal from a young Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare, a three-quarter sister to Hill of Grace (Zabeel), and is destined to get up in trip. Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.50.    

1:57 p.m. R4 2 Altari (2 c Savabeel – Bohemian Lily) – Opie Bosson; he was trapped out, steadied at the 600m, ranged wide and flattened out 200m for a smart win when trialling on 20 February at Tauranga, and debuts in the $18,500 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres. Beautifully bred, from a top family, and any emulation of his trial win would see him pose a top three chance. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80. 

1:57 p.m. R4 8 Donna Chiara (2 f Belardo – Bellabaci) – Craig Grylls; she camped on the leaders, shot clear turning for home and quickened appreciably to win well at the trials on 20 February at Tauranga. She debuted in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m), is resuming in the $18,500 Maiden 2YO 1200 metres, and is she brings her trial's performance to play, she is right in this. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $2.00.

2:32 p.m. R5 12 Fascination (3 f Pierro – Obsession) – Opie Bosson; she began well from an outside gate to secure a handy spot and let down well over sprint trip for fourth in trial on 20 February at Tauranga. Debuting in the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres, she from a very well performed Group Two winning mare, who became good producer, and is a filly destined to step up in trip and also requires luck from a wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $18.00 & $5.50. 

3:07 p.m. R6 7 She Turns Heads (3 f Headwater – Convene) – Opie Bosson; she extended late from a handy spot to grab a trial win on 20 February at Tauranga, and resumes in the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres. This model of consistency, raced by a ladies' partnership, she has placed in nine of her 11 starts, is three from three on the course, does seem best on better footing and despite being drawn wide (14), she is in mix again nonetheless.  Fixed odds: $4.00 & $1.75.

3:42 p.m. R7 1 Devoted (6 g Contributer – Mapmaker) – Jess Allen (a3); he finished off okay after an economical trip in the Rating 75 2100 metres on 10 February at Te Rapa, with Allen aboard, and drops in grade for the $18,500 Rating 65 2000 metres. With weight relief to 57kg, he may appreciate give in ground, but is racing solidly. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.