Te Akau Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has seven horses racing on Saturday 23 February: Matamata, and Otaki.

Matamata:

As on Friday 22 February the conditions were: cloudy and Dead4, rail true. 8mls rain forecast Friday, 7mls midnight to 6 a.m. Saturday morning.

2.10 p.m. R4 1 Aotea Lad(2 g Savabeel - Corsage) - Michael McNab; created an immediate impression with a debut victory in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m), ran the fastest 600m (34.6) when finishing strongly for second in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and franked the form with a terrific effort for second to stable-mate Probabeel in the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m). Ideally drawn (3) in the $70,000 Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m), his 122 form line in top fields warrants favouritism. Fixed odds: $2.00 & $1.10.

2.10 p.m. R4 3 Yourdeel(2 g Dundeel - Miss Zapper) - Matt Cameron; could hardly have been more impressive winning his debut 1200 metres by over five lengths, followed with a very good effort for second to Probabeel (Savabeel) in the 2YO 1200 metres on 13 January at Ellerslie, and hung tough for third to provide a Te Akau trifecta in the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m). His 123 form line cannot be faulted and he rates a strong chance from barrier one in the $70,000 Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m). Fixed odds: $2.40 & $1.10.

2.10 p.m. R4 4 Equinox(2 c Exceed and Excel - Our Ella Belle) - Craig Grylls; won his only trial by nearly five lengths on 8 January at Cambridge, and flattened out stylishly for a two and a quarter length debut win in the Maiden 2YO 1000 metres on 26 January at Trentham. Drawn barrier four, with the addition of side winkers, in the $70,000 Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m), he adds to a very strong hand for trainer Jamie Richards in a race Te Akau has won six times, including last year with Sword of Osman (Savabeel). Fixed odds: $5.50 & $1.30.

2.44 p.m. R5 14 Together(4 m Ocean Park - More to Love) - Matt Cameron; franked her Maiden win when stepping up immediately with victory here in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 December, closing off in the fastest 600m (34) of the day, and made a lot of ground from well back in the Rating 72 1200 metres on 6 February at Tauranga. Drawn barrier one, with side winkers on, in the $25,000 Rating 72 1400 metres should ensure a cushy trip and she has the turn of foot to threaten. Fixed odds: $4.80 & $1.95. 

3.20 p.m. R6 8 Harlow (2 f Proisir - Joan's Girl) - Michael McNab; staged a last to first effort in winning the 2YO 1200 metres, sponsored by Te Akau Racing - Three Times Karaka Million Winner, on 9 February at Te Rapa, and steps up in the $100,000 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m). Te Akau has won the prestigious race for fillies six times, and aided by the draw (2), with blinkers on, Harlow brings winning form.Fixed odds: $11.00 & $2.80. 

Otaki:

As on Friday 22 February the conditions were: cloudy and Dead5, rail true. 25mls rain forecast Friday.

1.17 p.m. R2 6 Sasso Corbaro(4 g All Too Hard - Furline) - Opie Bosson; worked well in an exhibition gallop with Equinox (above) last Saturday at Ellerslie, and makes his NZ debut in the $30,000 Rating 82 1200 metres. The winner of four races (1100m - 1300m) in Australia, he shapes to go well and indicators (placed two from two on slow) suggest he could handle rain-affected footing. Fixed odds: $4.50 & $1.60.

4.14 p.m. R7 8 Melody Belle(4 m Commands - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; a wonderful mare, she notched her fourth Group One victory on 9 February in the BCD Group Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Te Rapa. The Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner and Champion Two-Year-Old of her year, winning three Group Ones this season, she has a terrific record with give in the ground and warrants favouritism in a strong field for the $200,000 Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (1600m). Fixed odds: $2.80 & $1.40. 

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