Te Akau Matamata Tuesday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 24 horses entered on Tuesday 3 January at Matamata.

Weather: fine, track: Good4, rail: out 5 metres. 3mls rain forecast.

12:26 p.m. R1 12 Dame County (4 m Contributer - Dame Mapperley) - Opie Bosson; she fought well on rain-affected Heavy9 footing in the Maiden 1400 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1600 metres. She has the top rider aboard and seems capable of improvement with a decent trip from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

12:26 p.m. R1 14 Elegant Lady (3 f Highly Recommended - Lady Masako) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she found line strongly from second last when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 23 December and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1600 metres. She is presented with the opportunity to improve further on better footing, but requires luck from her wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.50.

1:00 p.m. R2 10 It's Business Time (4 m Turn Me Loose - Risque Business) - Opie Bosson; she fought hard for a notable third on rain-affected Heavy9 footing in the Maiden 1400 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1600 metres. She should be suited by better footing, but is another who requires luck from a wide gate (15). Fixed odds: $3.20 & $1.55.

1:37 p.m. R3 6 Ifyourample (4 m Iffraaj - More than Adequate) - Opie Bosson; she followed a second with a third in the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres on 1 December at New Plymouth, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She rates a top three chance from barrier six. Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.

2:12 p.m. R4 1 Cyclonic King (2 g Exceed and Excel - Lady Krovanh) - Opie Bosson; he produced a notable debut fourth over 1000 metres in October at Te Rapa, before finding the Heavy9 going too tough in the Challenge Stakes (Listed, 1100m) on 19 November at Pukekohe. He has since been gelded and given time (45 days), he won both trials prior to racing and is capable of a top three finish in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1000 metres. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.70.

2:47 p.m. R5 3 Time Is King (2 g Darci Brahma - Tiffany's Time) - Opie Bosson; he stretched out nicely for third in a trial on 6 December at Waipa, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1000 metres. His dam Tiffany's Time (Alamosa), also trained by Te Akau, won twice over 1400 metres. It's ideal to commence on his home track and he shapes to race well with decent trip from barrier eight with the top jockey engaged. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.30.

2:47 p.m. R5 4 She Turns Heads (2 f Headwater - Convene) - Craig Grylls; she finished second to stable-mate and subsequent Eclipse Stakes' (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner Trobriand (Kermadec) on debut, and second to stable-mate and subsequent winner Tokyo Tycoon in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 26 November at Te Rapa - both top Karaka 2YO Million contenders. She looks likely to position in or near the lead in the $14,000 Maiden 2YO 1000 metres and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $2.30 & $1.30.

3:22 p.m. R6 9 Off To The Nunnery (3 f Turn Me Loose - Clos De Tart) - Craig Grylls; she fought well on unsuitable Heavy9 footing in the Maiden 1200 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, and contests the $14,000 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1100 metres. From a talented family, she is suited by better footing, but requires luck from her tricky barrier (14). Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30.

3:22 p.m. R6 10 Beluga Caviar (3 f Belardo - Los Vargas) - Jake Bayliss; she fought on for fifth in a trial on 29 November at Avondale, and debuts in the $14,000 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1100 metres. She is another of the team today with a really difficult draw (15) so she will need a lot to go her way. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $5.50.

3:22 p.m. R6 14 Star In The Sky (3 f Savabeel - Pikari Star) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she kept responding for third in a trial on 29 November at Avondale, and also debuts in the $14,000 Maiden Fillies & Mares 1100 metres. She has drawn the ace and is presented with an ideal first-up assignment to make an impact on her home course. Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

3:57 p.m. R7 6 Alminette (3 f Burgundy - High Heels) - Craig Grylls; she tried hard on Heavy9 footing when finishing third on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, and contests the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. Like many of her stablemates, she is expected to appreciate better footing, and shapes to race well with a decent trip from barrier eight. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.90.

3:57 p.m. R7 7 Angel Wings (3 f Heroic Valour - Gowana) - Sam Weatherley; she kept lifting on Heavy9 footing when finishing third on debut in the Maiden 1200 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, and also contests the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. She too will enjoy better track conditions but will need a good dose of luck from her wide gate (14). Fixed odds: $9.00 & $3.00.

3:57 p.m. R7 8 Redsheis (3 f Burgundy - Show No Emotion) - Jake Bayliss; she did everything right when finishing third on debut in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres here on 23 December and lines up in the corresponding race. She is ideally drawn (4) to race well again and have first four claims. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.

3:57 p.m. R7 9 Sorcha (3 f Burgundy - Niamh Elizabeth) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she finished an eye-catching fourth in same race as Aliminette (above) when debuting at Tauranga, and she too contests the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. She has the credentials to race well with luck from barrier 12. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

4:34 p.m. R8 2 Romancing The Moon (3 f El Roca - Underthemoonlight) - Opie Bosson; she fought hard for fourth in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during Cup Week at Riccarton, and ran on strongly to finish midfield in trial here on 23 December. Second and first respectively in two course attempts, she has the talent to figure strongly in the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $2.50 & $1.40.

4:34 p.m. R8 3 Image of You (5 m Pins - Exactly Like You) - Michael McNab; she ran on well for fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres during Cup Week at Riccarton, and resumes in the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Runner-up at her only course attempt (1400m), she will need a real rub of the green from her awkward draw (13). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

4:34 p.m. R8 5 Hayate (4 m Maurice - Vamoose) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); she won the Rating 60 1300 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, given Heavy9 conditions, and also contests the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. A course/distance winner on debut, she seems capable of another good showing with decent trip from barrier 10. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.50.

4:34 p.m. R8 6 Elounda (4 m Contributer - Nomisma) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1); she followed two seconds by winning as a favourite should in the Maiden 1400 metres on 8 November at Pukekohe, before suffering cardiac arrhythmia in the Rating 65 1500 metres there on 3 December. Given time (31 days), she is placed two from two on the course, and should race well with luck from her awkward draw (11) in the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $7.50 & $2.70.

4:34 p.m. R8 8 Polly Plum (4 m Xtravagant - Herstory) - Jake Bayliss; she fought hard off a tough trip in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 17 December at Te Rapa, and is another stable rep. lining up in the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. She ir racing well and is drawn (6) to receive an economical trip. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

4:34 p.m. R8 9 Time Flies (3 g Time Test - Rorippa) - Sam Weatherley; he delivered a good effort from last for fourth to stable-mate Inca Belle (Per Incanto) in the 3YO 1200 metres on 26 November at Wanganui, and raced in a similar vein again finishing fourth in the Rating 65 1200 metres on Boxing Day at Otaki. He has the ability, was given a perfect ride to win the Maiden 1050 metres here in October, but needs luck from his very wide draw (14) in the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.

5:12 p.m. R9 2 Amalfi Prince (4 g Sebring - Campania) - Hakim Kamaruddin (a1); he worked home nicely for fifth over a sprint trip in a trial on 6 December at Waipa, and resumes in the $20,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. He ended his previous campaign winning the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m) in April at Awapuni, and is capable of a bold showing fresh-up despite having to overcome the tricky barrier (11). Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00.

5:12 p.m. R9 3 Illicit Miss (4 m Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Craig Grylls; she won the Rating 82 2500 metres during Cup Week at Riccarton, with Grylls aboard, and she resumes without a trial in the $20,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. Winning three of her last six, including two at 1600 metres, she should go well but is yet another with a carpark position to deal with (16). Fixed odds: $11.00 & $3.50.

5:12 p.m. R9 5 Belle of the Ball (4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Opie Bosson; she won three in a row to 1600 metres before recording a top fourth in the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) and she ended southern campaign finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2500m) to stable-mate Campionessa (Contributer), who subsequently won the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. She made good inroads for fifth in a trial here on 23 December and rates a top three chance in the $20,000 Rating 75 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.60.

5:47 p.m. R10 5 Aquilo (5 g Frankel - Stormy Lucy) - Joe Kamaruddin (a1); he tired after leading in the $14,000 Rating 60 1600 metres on 14 December at Ruakaka, and contests the corresponding event. Drawn barrier six, he receives opportunity to improve. Fixed odds: $12.00 & $3.80.