Te Akau Matamata Midweek Preview

Te Akau Racing has 13 horses entered on Wednesday 26 January at Matamata (twilight meeting).  NOTE - this is a closed door meeting.

Weather: overcast, track: Dead6, rail: true. 3mls rain forecast Tuesday, 5mls Wednesday.

2:38 p.m. R1 10 Madame Moet (4 m Iffraaj - Champagne Katie) - Opie Bosson; produced a top run for second in a Maiden 1400 metres on 23 December and was fourth off a wide gate (12) in a corresponding event on 12 January, both at Matamata. Ideally drawn (2) in the $12,000 Maiden 1600 metres, she rates a top three chance with the class rider aboard.

3:15 p.m. R2 3 Fierce Flight (3 g Flying Artie - First Bloom) - Opie Bosson; did well for fourth when debuting in a Maiden 1400 metres on 6 January at Rotorua, and a similar effort would promote him to the top three prospects in the $12,000 Maiden 1600 metres which features three stablemates.

3:15 p.m. R2 7 La Flora Belle (4 m Iffraaj - Tsarina Belle) - Sam Weatherley; sustained a strong gallop to win at the trials on 21 December at Ellerslie, before resuming with a notable third off a a wide trip in a Maiden 1400 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha. She rates a top three prospect, and is suited stepping up in $12,000 Maiden 1600 metres.

3:15 p.m. R2 19 Illicit Miss (3 f Hinchinbrook - Unlawful) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); finished second following an economical trip in a Maiden 1400 metres on 20 December at Pukekohe, and closed strongly late for second again in a Maiden 1600 metres on 9 January at Ellerslie. She rates a top three chance in the $12,000 Maiden 1600 metre, has drawn the ace and has weight relief to 52kg. Fixed odds: $4.20 & $1.75.

3:50 p.m. R3 10 Savasilk (3 f Savabeel - Silk Pins) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); found one better when second to impressive winner Glory Bound (Tavistock) in a Maiden 3YO 1400 metres here on 12 January. Ideally drawn (4), she enjoys weight relief to 53kg, and has first three claims in the $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres - which features a stable duo stepping out.

3:50 p.m. R3 15 Weneedashock (3 g Shocking - Prado Red) - Opie Bosson; got handy and fought well for fifth when debuting in a Maiden 3YO 1200 metres here on 12 January. Also contesting the $12,000 Maiden 1400 metres, he cops an awkward draw (9), but does have the top rider aboard and should race well if further improved.

5:00 p.m. R5 1 Flat Track Bully (4 g Reliable Man - Lime Squeeze) - Opie Bosson; finished well for second in a Maiden 1200 metres on 10 December at Tauranga, but remained back after beginning awkwardly in a Maiden 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua. Given time (29 days), he requires luck from the wide barrier 13 in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres.

5:38 p.m. R6 3 Deceptive (4 g Iffraaj - Elusive Catch) - Opie Bosson; was held together finishing second at the trials on 11 January at Cambridge (poly-track), and debuts in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. He is by internationally proven sire Iffraaj (Zafonic), out of Elusive City (Elusive Quality) mare Elusive Catch, winner four times to 1400 metres. Solid through the trials' stage with a win and three seconds, he too requires luck from the nightmare draw (17) - the first of three in the race for the stable, and both drawn awkwardly.

5:38 p.m. R6 8 Midnight Special (4 m Excelebration - Midnight Van Damme) - Michael McNab; never relaxed in a $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres here on 12 January, and contests the corresponding event. She also requires luck from her wide draw (15).

5:38 p.m. R6 13 A Little Bit Bossy (3 f Rock ‘n' Pop - Molly Coco) - Niranjan Parmar (a3); quickened strongly for second at the trials on 11 January at Cambridge (poly-track), and also debuts in $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres. Ideally drawn (4), she has weight relief to 52kg, and has been solid through the trials' stage.

6:15 p.m. R7 9 Highborn (4 m Savabeel - Tempo Manor) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); ran the fastest last 600m (34.1) for third in a Maiden 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, before leading home a Te Akau first four in a Maiden 1200 metres here on 12 January. Up in grade for the $12,000 Rating 65 1200 metres, she enjoys weight relief to 54.5kg, and the ace draw aids her prospects.

6:54 p.m. R8 2 Exaltation (5 m Not A Single Doubt - Meleka Belle) - Joe Kamaruddin (a2); closed late in Rating 74 1600 metres here on 23 December, before winning a corresponding event on 5 January at Otaki.  She steps out in the same grade, goes up in distance for the $12,000 Rating 74 2000 metres, is a previous impressive winner, has weight relief to 56.5kg, and rates a top three chance.