Te Akau NZ Matamata Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has eight horses entered for the nine-race programme on Wednesday June 5 at Matamata.

As at 9:59am on Monday June 3 the conditions were: cloudy and Slow8, rail out 5 metres.

11:40am R1 2 Sunset Pass (4 g Yamanin Vital - Janet's Chance) - Aaron Kuru (a3); tended to lay in when fighting on for fourth on May 13 in the Maiden High-weight 2200 metres on Slow9 footing at Paeroa, and sports a gear change of nose band off, tongue tie on for this assignment over 2000 metres. He comes in nicely weighted on 65kgs with this rider aboard, has solid recent form, and a return to racing left-handed should assist.

12:45pm R3 1 Prospero (5 g High Chaparral - Alfred's Jewel) - Aaron Kuru (a3); made up plenty of ground before dashing through on the inside of runners to win when resuming from a 158-day break on May 13 in the Maiden High-weight 1670 metres on Slow9 footing at Paeroa, with this rider aboard. Remaining in the same grade over 1600 metres, he strikes a similar field and has raced well here previously.

1:55pm R5 6 Milan Miss (3 f Darci Brahma - Falaniella) - rider to be advised; found conditions to her liking when drawing clear on Heavy10 footing to win on April 17 over 1400 metres at Rotorua, and then finished eighth in the same three-year-old race as her stable-mate, above. Drawn barrier eleven, she has been kept in freshened condition and awaits the outcome of weather and track conditions before having a start confirmed at this venue.

2:30pm R6 8 Kayleen (3 f Towkay - Indomitable) - Michael Dee (a3); was a victim of circumstances - no power at the first attempt - when missing the start by three lengths and staged the run of the race to finish fourth on May 20 in the Maiden 1200 metres on Heavy10 footing at Tauranga, with this rider aboard. She has blinkers on for the corresponding event and certainly deserves to have her consistency rewarded.

3:05pm R7 8 My Fiancée (3 f Snitzel - Meet My Sis) - Michael Dee (a3); was close up on a competitive pace, coming from fifth at the 600m to run a strong third on May 16 in the Maiden 1200 metres (1:10.57) on Dead5 footing at Hawera. In the Maiden 1200 metres, she again appears a solid prospect if able to secure a reasonable trip from a wide draw - one of two in the race for Te Akau.

3:05pm R7 11 Pride and Passion (4 m Encosta De Lago - Calaway Gal) - Matt Cameron; was put aside following injury and resumes from a 422-day break with one trial under her belt. Destined to get over more ground, she is a capable galloper that will be given time to find her feet and the camp are looking for her to be running home solidly.

3:40pm R8 15 Sneaky Feelings (3 f High Chaparral - Landara) - Matt Cameron; did a good job finishing second in her most recent trial over 1580 metres on heavy footing at Te Awamutu, and now makes her race day debut in the Maiden 1600 metres for fillies and mares. Expected to excel over staying distances, she strikes an ideal race to kick off and can produce a solid performance.

4:15pm R9 2 Secret Whisper (4 g Align - Danewhisper) - Matt Cameron; was shuffled to midfield on the rail at the 900m and tracked through with a strong finish for second on May 13 in the Benchmark 75 High-weight 1670 metres on Slow9 footing at Paeroa. Prior to, he did the job with aplomb in heavy ground to win here on May 6 in the Benchmark 75 1600 metres. Stepping to 2000 metres while remaining in the same grade is considered ideal and he appears a strong chance to emulate his recent top form.

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