Te Akau Mid Week Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has two horses entered for the nine-race card at Matamata, and two on the ten-race premier programme at Riccarton, Wednesday November 12.

Matamata:
As on Tuesday November 11 the conditions were: fine and Good3, rail out 8 metres.

3.17 p.m. R6 9 Arpeggio (3 f Tavistock - Macchiato) - Cameron Lammas; makes her debut in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres. In the more recent of two trials this time in, over 1200 metres on Oct. 23 at Cambridge, she did things nicely off the trail to win under minimal urging with this rider aboard. A winner on debut, her dam Macchiato (Night Shift) showed to be an impressive performer winning four of her nine career starts, up to 1400 metres, and able to secure a nice trip from a wide draw this filly appears capable of a bold first up effort.

3.52 p.m. R7 13 Flirty Gertey (4 m Thorn Park - Granma Gertey) - Cameron Lammas; has the benefit of three trials under her belt to resume off 186-days in the Rating 75 1400 metres. Last time out, in a trial over 1150 metres on Oct. 14 at Te Awamutu, she was eye-catching in her manner when third to 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) favourite O'Marilyn (O'Reilly). Two of her last three starts have been at stakes level and she was put aside through the winter months after a strong second in May on heavy going at Rotorua. She is a filly of good ability and a bit of luck in running from a wide gate can see her competitive here.

Riccarton:
As on Tuesday November 11 the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true.

1.50 p.m. R3 14 Madame Jamai (3 f Minstrel Court - Palais Jamai) - Matt Cameron; fought solidly from outside the leader to finish second on Nov. 2 in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres at Motukarara, and reported to have trained on pleasingly since. Nicely drawn in barrier three for the Maiden 1200 metres, in what will likely be a capacity eighteen horse field, she sports side winkers to aid her focus and boasting a trio of seconds she certainly brings the right form.

3.00 p.m. R5 1 Costa Viva (4 m Encosta De Lago - Vivacious Spirit - main picture) - Matt Cameron; with a month between runs she takes her place as the current fixed odds favourite ($4.40 & $1.60) in the Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m). Resuming off 112-days at her previous start, in the Taranakai Breeders Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) at Hawera, she got back in a leader dominated affair and trainer Jason Bridgman has been happy with her work in the interim. Winner of the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) during the Cup & Show Week carnival last season at Riccarton, she went on to be crowned New Bloodstock Filly of the Year. With the class element on her side in this line up, she would likely press forward from an awkward draw in search of a handy position and look to justify her favouritism if able to secure the right trip.