Te Akau Matamata Friday Preview

Te Akau Racing has 11 horses entered on Friday 19 April at Matamata. 

Matamata:

Weather: cloudy, track: Soft6, rail: occasional showers forecast. 

12:36 p.m. R1 7 Lightning Dream (3 f Rip Van Winkle – Alana’s Dream) – Warren Kennedy; she tracked the winner when finishing strongly for second in the Maiden 1400 metres here on 27 March, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 1600 metres. She has recorded two notable fourths here prior and rates a top three chance. 

1:12 p.m. R2 8 The Sky Above (3 f American Pharoah – Blue Blue Sky) – Warren Kennedy; she worked to a decent lead before finishing third on footing downgraded to Heavy9 in the $17,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) here on 27 March, and contests the corresponding event. She too has produced two solid fourth placings, and is capable of a top three finish.

1:47 p.m. R3 13 Matakana Girl (3 f Ace High – Bankside Belle) – Warren Kennedy; she ran on from last for fifth in the Pearl Series Maiden 1400 metres here on 27 March, and contests the $17,000 Maiden 1400 metres. She has raced well and has the ability to prove competitive with she can secure luck from her wide draw (13). 

2:22 p.m. R4 2 Polly Plum (5 m Xtravagant – Herstory) – Tayla Melvin (a4); she contested a competitive pace on the inner from barrier one when finishing fourth in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 27 March, and contests the $17,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Rating 65 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). With weight relief to 56kg, she is a dual course/distance winner, and is ideally drawn (3) to make an impact - one of a stable trio contesting the event. 

2:22 p.m. R4 5 Hayate (5 m Maurice – Vamoose) – Jess Allen (a3); she improved wide to level nearing the home turn when finishing third in the Rating 65 1400 metres here on 27 March, and also contests the $17,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Rating 65 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). She enjoys weight relief to 56kg, won here on debut over 1200 metres, has a good course record, but requires luck from the outside gate (16). 

2:22 p.m. R4 8 Star In The Sky (4 m Savabeel – Pikari Star) – Wiremu Pinn; she was unable to quicken from the rear on footing downgraded to Heavy9 in the Rating 65 1400 metres here 27 March, and likewise contests the $17,000 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Rating 65 1400 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses). A confident winner two starts ago, unfortunately she too has a wide gate (13) to overcome. 

2:57 p.m. R5 1 Merlotti (4 g Burgundy – Ruppertsberg) – Warren Kennedy; he was held together to finish among the minors when trialling on 28 March at Tauranga, and resumes in the $17,000 Rating 60 1200 metres. He continued his good form with a close third in a similar event two starts ago before spelling, and has the ability to prove competitive fresh-up - one of two in the event for the team.

2:57 p.m. R5 5 Luxuriant (6 m Iffraaj – Opulent) – Tayla Melvin (a4); she rounded off under her own steam for third when trialling on 28 March at Tauranga, also with Melvin aboard, and resumes in the $17,000 Rating 60 1200 metres. She ran fastest last 600m two starts prior to spelling, enjoys weight relief to 54kg thanks too the apprentice engagement, and possesses the ability to act in a fresh state. 

3:34 p.m. R6 2 Treaty of Paris (4 g Tavistock – Echezeaux) – Tayla Melvin (a4); he has been given time (30 days) since comfortably winning the Rating 65 Jumpers & High-Weight 2100 metres on 20 March at Pukekohe, and remains in same grade for the $17,000 Rating 65 & Jumpers 2000 metres. One of two lining up in the tangerine, he has weight relief to 57kg, has won three times to 2140 metres, and has definite first four claims if he can navigate the wide draw (14). 

3:34 p.m. R6 3 Devoted (6 g Contributer – Mapmaker) – Vinnie Colgan; he made ground from well back before being checked in the Rating 65 2200 metres on 6 April at Pukekohe, and contests the $17,000 Rating 65 & Jumpers 2000 metres. In good form prior, including a course/distance second in February, he too can deliver a top four placing from his handier barrier (3). 

4:11 p.m. R7 14 Brisance (3 f Staphanos – Ultra Explosive) – Joe Doyle; she was steadied back from an outside gate and improved widest before finishing sixth in the Maiden High-weight 2000 metres here on 27 March. Like so many of her stable mates today, she has unfortunately drawn wide (11), but with luck in the running, she rates a top four chance in the $17,000 Maiden 2000 metres.