Te Akau NZ Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has four horses entered for the nine race programme at Matamata on Wednesday 16 September.     

As on Monday 14 September the conditions were: fine and Slow8, rail out 12 metres. 

1.10 p.m. R2 12 Our Drahma Queen (4m Darci Brahma - Queen Cha Cha) Matthew Cameron; the first of the Te Akau's debut runners for the day. The half sister to Suavito produced a lovely run for second at the latest set of Te Teko trials as she hit the line very strongly. With a nice position in the running, she can be right in the finish for her owners, the Fortuna Our Drahma Queen Syndicate.

1.10 p.m. R2 13 Carmenize (3f Any Suggestion - Zevita) Cameron Lammas; the second first starter in the race for Te Akau produced an eye-catching performance for second at the Te Teko trials after sitting four wide most of the trip and was only beaten a long neck. Small in stature, this grey filly has a fantastic attitude towards her work.  She has proven a very tough competitor at the trials so we look forward to a nice effort from her on debut.

1.45 p.m. R3 7 Duchess Kate (3f Savabeel - Royal Prize) Cameron Lammas; first up since her tidy first start effort behind the talented Scrutinize on the Matamata track in early April. She has shown in her two trials this time in that she has a powerful turn of foot and there is plenty of upside to this Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas' nominated filly - expect her to be doing her strongest work late.

2.20 p.m. R4 11 Lady Painton (3f Tavistock - Lady Verify) Matthew Cameron; should be much improved on her first up run at Ruakaka. She hit the line nicely late under a patient ride from Cameron Lammas in her run fresh up, and suggests that the step up to 1400 should suit her. With her second dam Tributes being a winner of the VRC Oaks and runner up in AJC Oaks, this filly should relish more distance later in her campaign.