Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has ten horses racing on Saturday 24 February: Matamata, and Hastings.

Matamata:

As on Friday 23 February the conditions were: fine and Slow7, rail true. No rain forecast.

12.51 p.m. R2 6 Scrutinize (5 g Savabeel - Legs) - Samantha Collett; had the misfortune of parting company with his rider in two of three starts since resuming, but produced a terrific run for second in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 21 January at Te Rapa, clocking one of the fastest last 600m (34.4) on the day. Impressive winning here on debut as a two-year-old, at his only course attempt, he is classy at best and ideally drawn (2) in the $30,000 Rating 85 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $7.20 & $2.30.

12.51 p.m. R2 7 Our Abbadean (5 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights) - Sam Weatherley; had no chance from a rearward position in the Westbury Classic (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Karaka Million night at Ellerslie, although lost no admirers. Back in class for the $30,000 Rating 85 1600 metres, her two starts on the course have registered a first and second (over 2000m at this meeting last year). She is capable of getting into the action from off the pace in the $30,000 Rating 85 1600 metres. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.00.

2.01 p.m. R4 2 Handsome Rebel (2 g Denman - London Rebel) - Danielle Johnson; has now registered three thirds from as many starts, most recently when closing late in the Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 3 February at New Plymouth. An ideal contender for the $70,000 Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m), a race Te Akau has won five times, including Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock) in 2016. He took the eye in work through the week and ideally drawn (5) to increase his stakes form. Fixed odds: $8.20 & $2.40.

2.01 p.m. R4 4 Sword of Osman (2 g Savabeel - Bunyah) - Opie Bosson; has drawn perfectly in the barrier three for the $70,000 Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). An impressive debut winner in the 2YO Premier 1100 metres on 23 December at Awapuni, he finished eighth to stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) but appears capable of marked improvement. Fixed odds: $2.90 & $1.25.

2.39 p.m. R5 15 Lady Painton (5 m Tavistock - Lady Verify) - Danielle Johnson; quickened to score narrowly in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 January at Te Teko. She faces a major class rise in the $25,000 Rating 75 1400 metres, but has drawn barrier two and expected to appreciate give in the ground. Fixed odds: $41.00 & $9.50.

3.15 p.m. R6 4 The Real Beel (2 f Savabeel - Ahna) - Opie Bosson; fought courageously after working hard from the outside gate (14) in the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m), having displayed classy attributes during her impressive debut win in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth. Drawn barrier eight in the $100,000 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), she requires a touch of luck in running, but Bosson effected the sixth win in the event for Te Akau last year aboard Gold Fever (Savabeel) and the combination should go well. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $2.80.

3.50 p.m. R7 1 Age of Fire (3 c Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail) - Opie Bosson; gained the ultimate result in securing a stallion career with victory in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 13 January at Trentham, and since then Brendan & Jo Lindsay have invested in him to stand on retirement at Cambridge Stud. Off a break, in the $25,000 3YO 1400 metres, he will get back from barrier 10 and genuine pace should see him finding the line better than most. Fixed odds: $1.75 & $1.08.

5.00 p.m. R9 1 Imperium (6 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal) - Opie Bosson; drops in grade after resuming in the Open 1600 metres on 26 January at Pukekohe, and despite a hefty impost (61kgs) he should appreciate stepping in distance for the $25,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. Give in the ground suits and drawn barrier five he can be finding the line from off the pace. Fixed odds: $33.00 & $8.50.

Hastings:

As on Friday 23 February the conditions were: fine and Dead4, rail true. No rain forecast.

3.28 p.m. R6 3 Wide Awake (4 g Savabeel - Kay's Awake) - Michael McNab; prevailed with some authority in the Woodville Cup over 2100 metres on 25 January, and drawn barrier six in the $25,000 St Leger Trial (2100m). He has placed in each of two course attempts and having stepped up nicely in distance he rates an each way chance in this field. Fixed odds: $5.00 & $1.80.

4.03 p.m. R7 4 Splurge (5 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - Michael McNab; was too good for his rivals in the weight-for-age Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 23 December at Awapuni, with McNab aboard. Although unable to threaten next time out, in the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 20 January at Trentham, he is a classy performer that has won on the course and can bounce back to prove competitive in the $200,000 Haunui Farm Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $9.80 & $2.80.