Te Akau Matamata Wednesday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Wednesday 18 September at Matamata.

Weather: overcast, track: Slow7, rail: out 10 metres. Showers forecast Tuesday afternoon, no rain Wednesday.

12.32 p.m. R1 5 Shezathinka (4 m So You Think - Headsup)
- Opie Bosson; resumed with a close third in the Maiden 1300 metres on 21
August at Taupo, and steps up in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres. She ran a
terrific second in the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) before contesting the NZ
Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) in March, course/distance placed at her only attempt, and
ideally placed to threaten.

1.07 p.m. R2 8 Grand Ariana (4 m Snitzel - Enduja) - Michael McNab; ran home okay
from last here in the $10,000 Rating 65 1600 metres on 28 August, with
little chance of finishing closer off a slow tempo. Ideally drawn (3) in the
corresponding event, she rates an each chance if able to settle handier and
given a solid pace.

1.42 p.m. R3 7 Shebringsmerubies (4 m Sebring - Run
Away Ruby) - Opie Bosson; came from the rear with a strong finish for second
when resuming here in the Maiden 1200 metres on 28 August, and steps up in the
$10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Unlucky not to have broken through, she rates an
each way chance from barrier five.

1.42 p.m. R3 13 Zareeba (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Surooh) -
Danielle Johnson; was solid enough on debut in the Maiden 1300 metres on 21
August at Taupo, in the same race as Shezathinka (above), and steps up in the
$10,000 Maiden 1400 metres. Destined to get over more ground, she has visor
blinkers on and the benefit of barrier three to aid further improvement.

2.17 p.m. R4 4 Te Akau Dragon (4 g Power - Cool Diamond) - Opie Bosson;
spelled after a dominant Maiden win over 1400 metres in April at Otaki, and
fought on fresh-up in the next grade when resuming here on 28 August in the
Rating 65 1200 metres. He finished third here in March, before winning, and
improvement can be expected from barrier four in the $10,000 Rating 65 1400
metres.

2.52 p.m. R5 3 Lucky Shark (3 g Darci Brahma -
Shamardal Luck) - Michael McNab; showed athleticism winning one of two trials
in August and debuts from barrier four in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. His
half-brother Shocking Luck (Shocking) was trained by Te Akau to finish second
in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) before winning the Rough Habit Plate (Gr.
3, 2000m) in Brisbane.

2.52 p.m. R5 4 Super Sid (3 g Rip Van Winkle - Half
Bak) - Opie Bosson; has shown natural talent with a win and two seconds at the
trials, beating subsequent stakes placed filly Loire (Redoute's Choice), and
debuts in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres. A three-quarter brother to
stable-mate Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle), winner of five from eight, he has a
wide draw (14) to overcome but looks an exciting prospect.

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