Matamata Tips & Preview | Saturday 14 February

Atkins (#7) is a consistent mare who broke her maiden impressively two starts back at Ellerslie, with the form out of that race proving strong since. She was beaten as a short-priced favourite at Waverley last time but had excuses and still found the line well. She maps to get a good cart across early with Super Legocy likely to roll forward underneath her, and in what shapes as a very even MAAT contest, she looks a leading contender. 

General Menari (#2) comes here third-up after finishing off well for 3rd behind Tale Of The Gypsy at Te Rapa last start. Remaining at 1200m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation and Rory Hutchings sticks. The likelihood of a Soft track could prove the key to his chances, as he appears to have only been letting down fairly on firmer decks this time in. From his middle draw he should settle midfield with cover and be finishing off strongly again.

Kinnaird (#1) failed to fire in the Karaka Millions 2YO, where he didn’t race overly tractably in blinkers, before being inconvenienced in the straight. The blinkers come straight back off here, which may see him return to the form of his previous win over Harvey Wallbanger and Incandescent – which would see him hard to beat. He maps to follow Harvey Wallbanger throughout under Opie Bosson and can bounce back sharply. 

Dubai Gold (#8) hasn’t quite found her best this campaign, though she’s had excuses at each outing. A senior rider in Masa Hashizume takes over the riding duties and she draws more favourably here, which should see her afforded a soft run back of midfield with cover. If she can recapture the form she showed as a 3yo, she would take plenty of beating in this. At the price, she’s worth speculating on to run an improved race. 

Lara Antipova (#1) is a locally trained 2yo filly by Russian Revolution who has been ultra impressive winning both starts to date by a combined margin of 12.5L. She resumes here after a dominant Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes win in December. The wide draw in this small field is no concern and Opie Bosson takes the reins. Expect her to roll forward and give this field plenty to run down. Very hard to beat as she looks to remain unbeaten at her third start. 

Mary Shan (#3) was unlucky when 3rd in the Jo Giles Stakes on Karaka Millions night, surging late before running out of room in the concluding stages. This is a deeper field of fillies and mares, and she now draws wider (which are the obvious knocks) but a Soft track may help offset that if the inside deteriorates. The blinkers now go on and she looks set to run another honest race. Appeals as a solid each-way play at the price. 

Navigator (#1) was brave when 2nd at Trentham behind Archaic Smile, with the 62kg impost telling the story late. He now comes here third-up and stepping to 1500m should hold no concerns if he enjoys an economical run in transit. He maps to settle off the speed with cover from his handy draw in what looks a genuinely run race. Unlucky in this race last year, he looks to get his chance to make amends and is the one they have to beat this year. 

Checkmate (#7) was well supported in the Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic on Karaka Millions night and ran a bold race for 5th despite not having much luck in the straight. Now fourth-up, he looks suited stepping to 2000m, a distance he hasn’t tackled since finishing 8th behind Broadsiding in the Rosehill Guineas last year. The wide draw may prove advantageous later in the day if the inside lanes deteriorate, and he should settle back of midfield with cover before blending into the race late. He shapes as a key player. 

Zantabulous (#4) handled the testing conditions better than her rivals at Te Aroha last start, surging clear for a dominant 4.3L win. This is a tougher R75 assignment, but Opie Bosson takes the reins from a low draw and will likely look to work away from the fence if required. She remains at 1600m and won’t mind softer conditions underfoot again here. At the price, she appeals as a strong each-way chance to close the card.