Te Akau Saturday North Island Preview

Te Akau Racing has 26 horses entered on Saturday 25 February: Matamata, and Otaki. 

Matamata:

Weather: showery, track: Soft6, rail: true. Showers forecast.

12:28 p.m. R1 7 Invincibeel (4 m Savabeel - Matakana) - Opie Bosson; she worked home okay but was unable to quicken on the Soft7 going when resuming in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. She requires luck from wide draw (13), but ability to match rivals and capable of bold showing on reasonable ground. Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40.

12:28 p.m. R1 14 Elounda (4 m Contributer - Nomisma) - Joe Doyle; she worked home well for a close fifth in the same race at Invincibeel (above) at Te Rapa, and also contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Runner-up in two of three course attempts, she should race well again. Fixed odds: $15.00 & $4.50.

1:00 p.m. R2 1 Freeze Frame (3 g Vadamos - Snow Petal) - Opie Bosson; he capped a good debut second with a good turn of foot on Heavy10 going to win the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 11 January, both at Matamata, and ran the fastest last 600m (34.7) for second in the $30,000 Special Conditions 1400 metres, on 4 February at New Plymouth. Despite drawing wide (15), he looks a top three prospect in the corresponding race. Fixed odds: $3.00 & $1.50. 

1:00 p.m. R2 9 Alminette (3 f Burgundy - High Heels) - Joe Doyle; she led home a Te Akau trifecta in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres here on 3 January at Matamata, and was a brave second off a wide trip near the pace in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1400 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa. Ideally drawn (6) in the $30,000 Special Conditions 1400 metres, she rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $8.00 & $2.80.

1:35 p.m. R3 1 Hero Worship (4 g Xtravagant - Idol) - Niranjan Parmar (a2); he continued genuine efforts when sixth in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 30 December at Taupo, and was freshened after a busy campaign. He was a big winner here on Matamata Cup Day (29 October), and is back in grade for the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. With weight relief to 58kg, he is capable of a bold showing despite his wide gate (14). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.  

1:35 p.m. R3 2 Skew Wiff (3 f Savabeel - Starvoia) - Opie Bosson; she produced a mighty run for second to Legarto (Proisir) in the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, and has been freshened since being overhauled final furlong in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. A quality filly, she presents as a top three proposition from barrier two in the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.80. 

1:35 p.m. R3 12 Madame Moet (5 m Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Sam Weatherley;  she quickened clear when winning the Rating 60 1600 metres on 7 September at Matamata, and was freshened after back soreness in the Rating 65 1800 metres on 16 September at Taupo. She will be treating the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres as a trial before stepping in distance. Fixed odds: $21.00 & $6.00. 

2:10 p.m. R4 1 Tokyo Tycoon (2 g Satono Aladdin - All About The Coin) - Craig Zackey; he made it three from three in impressive fashion and was the seventh consecutive winner for Te Akau in the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 21 January at Pukekohe. He looks the one to beat in the $85,000 Fairview Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). Fixed odds: $1.70 & $1.10.

2:10 p.m. R4 2 Trobriand (2 c Kermadec - Arboreal) - Opie Bosson; he was unbeaten in three starts before finishing third to Tokyo Tycoon (above) in the $1 million Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 21 January at Pukekohe, and certainly looks a top three prospect in the $85,000 Fairview Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.10.

Te Akau has won the Matamata Slipper nine times, most recently in 2021 with Champion Two-Year-Old Sword of State (Snitzel), who stands now at Cambridge Stud. 

2:43 p.m. R5 1 Zeitaku (4 g Savabeel - Miss Opulence) - Opie Bosson; he flew home in the fastest last 600m (35) on the day to grab honours in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 25 January at Matamata, and was the fastest again (34.1) for second in the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on 10 February at Hastings. He is a top three prospect despite his wide barrier (12) in the corresponding event. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.70.

2:43 p.m. R5 5 Navalha (5 g Sebring - Afiado) - Craig Zackey; he won and raced solidly during his spring campaign from Te Akau's base at Riccarton, and resumed running the fastest last 600m (33.7) on day for third in the Rating 75 1200 metres last Saturday at New Plymouth. A dual 1200-metre course winner from two attempts and is a top three chance in the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. Fixed odds: $7.00 & $2.50. 

3:53 p.m. R7 2 Sky On Fire (2 f Exceed and Excel - Elusive Meteor) - Jonathan Riddell; she won the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) during Cup Week at Riccarton - the eighth for Te Akau. She resumed finishing fourth in the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m) on 14 January at Trentham, and was third to stable-mate Zourian (below) in the 2YO 1100 metres on 7 February at Taupo. She has the pace to prove competitive in the $120,000 J Swap Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $3.20.

3:53 p.m. R7 4 Rubicon Crossing (2 f Rubick - Miss Foxwood) - Wiremu Pinn; she finished second to stable-mate Sky On Fire (above) in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) and was second again when resuming without a trial in the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m) on 14 January at Trentham. She finished fourth to race rival Ulanova (Santos) in the Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 4 February at New Plymouth, and has the consistency to race well in the $120,000 J Swap Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $3.20.

3:53 p.m. R7 6 Zourian (2 f Zoustar - Irion) - Opie Bosson; she looked good in a stylish solitary trial win on 17 January at Tauranga, and provided trainer Mark Walker with his 1000^th domestic win when scoring on debut in the 2YO 1100 metres on 7 February at Taupo. A quality filly from great family, she rates top three prospect in the $120,000 J Swap Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.30.

Te Akau has won the Matamata Breeders' Stakes seven times, most recently with Champion Two-Year-Old Maven Belle (Burgundy) last year. 

4:28 p.m. R8 8 Belle of the Ball (4 m Savabeel - Lady Tatia) - Kelsey Hannah (a); she scorched home for victory in the Thames Cup (Rating 75 1600 metres) on 3 January at Matamata, and was enormous finishing second to stable-mate Belle En Rouge (above) in the Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 14 January at Trentham. She began awkwardly and lost her chance in a leader dominated Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 1800m) on 4 February at New Plymouth, but races well here and is capable of bouncing back with any luck from a wide draw (13) in the $65,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m). Fixed odds: $6.50 & $2.40. 

4:28 p.m. R8 9 La Flora Belle (5 m Iffraaj - Tsarina Belle) - Joe Doyle; she ran on well for fourth in the Open 1900 metres last Friday at New Plymouth, and contests the $65,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m). She won the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) stylishly in November, carries minimum weight and has drawn the ace. Fixed odds: $10.00 & $3.30. 

5:07 p.m. R9 1 Dynastic (3 g Almanzor - Meir) - Opie Bosson; he ran the fastest last 600m (34.0) from last in the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on 21 January at Pukekohe, and produced a notable effort for fifth on footing that downgraded to Heavy8 in the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 3 February at Te Rapa. Contesting the $30,000 Rating 75 2000 metres, he is race hardened but requires luck from a wide draw (13). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $2.10.  

5:07 p.m. R9 5 Lightning Field (6 g Deep Field - Claudine) - Niranjan Parmar (a2); he ran home well for fifth in the Rating 75 1600 metres last Saturday at Pukekohe, and contests the $30,000 Rating 75 2000 metres. With weight relief to 56.5kg, he shapes to appreciate the increase in distance but is yet another that requires luck from a wide draw (14). Fixed odds: $16.00 & $4.80.   

Otaki:

Weather: fine, track: Soft5, rail: true. Showers forecast. 

1:20 p.m. R2 1 Brando (5 g Savabeel - Saoirse) - Temyia Taiaroa (a2); he was freshened after the Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 17 December at Trentham, and stretched over the concluding stages to win the Open 1200 metres on 5 February at Tauranga. He finished third at the corresponding meet last year in the WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), has weight relief to 60kg in the $40,000 Open 1200 metres and is capable of another bold showing. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.45. 

1:54 p.m. R3 5 Accidental Tourist (3 g Telperion - Megara) - Michael McNab; he resumed with a strong finish for third in the Rating 65 1100 metres on 3 February at Te Rapa, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres. He recorded an easy Maiden win over 1200 metres at Hawera, was an eye-catching third in the Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1340m), and rates a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.50 & $1.60.

2:28 p.m. R4 4 Wairau Cove (3 g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass) - Michael McNab; he did well finding line for fifth off a wide trip in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 11 February at Te Rapa, and contests the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres. He has the talent to rate a top three chance. Fixed odds: $3.30 & $1.35. 

3:38 p.m. R6 1 Malborough Bay (3 g Darci Brahma - Spin ‘N Grin) - Jason Laking; he finished strongly once clear for fourth in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 4 February at New Plymouth, and contests the $30,000 Rating 65 1600 metres. Stakes' placed over 1600 metres, he suits some give in ground and is capable of finishing in the top three. Fixed odds: $6.00 & $2.30.

4:13 p.m. R7 1 Prise De Fer (7 g Savabeel - Foiled) - Jason Laking; he followed a brilliant victory in the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Trentham, finishing second in the Zabeel Classic (Gr. 1, 2050m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe. Although not the same when getting well back in the White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 4 February at Wingatui, won impressively by Perfect Scenario (below), he was found to have some excuse with travel and heat. He finished second to stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) when contesting the $300,000 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) here in 2020, and has the chance to bounce back from barrier three. Fixed odds: $13.00 & $2.50.  

4:13 p.m. R7 2 Perfect Scenario (5 g Iffraaj - Rosetti Bay) - Joe Kamaruddin (a); he resumed with a notable effort for third in the Timaru Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on 28 January at Riccarton, and displayed a scintillating finish to win the White Robe Lodge (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 4 February at Wingatui. He has come of age and should race well again in the $300,000 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m). Fixed odds: $21.00 & $3.80.   

4:13 p.m. R7 9 Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh - Supreme) - Michael McNab; he continued his great form with a stirring second in the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on 21 January at Pukekohe, and was then third in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on 11 February at Te Rapa. He appears suited dropping back in distance for the $300,000 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), carries 55kg under the weight-for-age scale, the blinkers go on, and he will be very competitive. Fixed odds: $3.80 & $1.30. 

4:51 p.m. R8 4 The Mighty Spar (5 g Savabeel - O'Dianne) - Jason Laking; he was unable to quicken on heavy ground in the Rating 75 2100 metres on 13 January at Tauranga, but found the line well for fourth in the Rating 75 2200 metres on 26 January at Hastings. He has first four claims in the $30,000 Rating 75 2200 metres. Fixed odds: $8.50 & $2.80.