Matamata hosts an eight-race twilight program on Wednesday with the track rated a Soft5 and the rail out 7.5m. An overcast forecast for Matamata over the next 24 hours should see the surface improve slightly, likely presenting closer to a Good4 by race one.
Selections for each of the eight races below:
La Danza (#13) produced a solid effort in a fresh state when finishing 3rd at Taupo last start, where she was doing her best work late after settling back in the field. She should strip fitter for that outing and looks suited stepping up to 2000m here. From the middle draw she is likely to settle back of midfield again before looking to finish off strongly. At the price she appeals as a good each-way chance.
Seize The Day (#2) ran well on debut at Ellerslie when finishing 3rd after settling just off the speed and closing off nicely. A minor gear change has been made ahead of this second-up assignment and Opie Bosson remains aboard. Expect them to be positive early from the draw and if he finds the front he should prove very difficult to run down.
Rosina (#5) returned to R60 company last start and produced a much improved performance when grinding home into 3rd. While the drop back to a mile poses a small query, she simply arrives here in better form than most, if not all of her rivals. She should settle around midfield off what looks a genuine tempo and appears well placed to take this out.
Biding My Time (#4) is a naturally speedy filly who gave a bold sight at Te Rapa last start when setting a strong tempo throughout. The drop back to 1050m looks suitable and Michael McNab now takes the ride from a low draw. She maps to lead again and if allowed to dictate she will take plenty of catching.
Levakia (#3) was disappointing at Te Rapa last start when failing to quicken after enjoying a reasonable run in transit. Despite stepping up slightly in grade on paper, this shapes as a much softer assignment and she looks well placed at the weights carrying just 1.5kg above the minimum. Jasmine Fawcett should have her settling midfield with cover from the low draw, giving her every chance to run an improved race.
Sarti (#1) was scratched at the barriers here two weeks ago and heads here instead. Last start he was luckless behind Miss Jones when badly checked at the start before charging home for a narrow 2nd. From the wide draw he is likely to settle back again and be ridden conservatively early before launching late. With even luck and the right trail into the race he looks very hard to hold out.
Fortune Cookie (#10) is a dual acceptor for this race and Race 8. She is a Proisir 3yo filly having her second start and comes here off a promising debut at Pukekohe. She encountered traffic in the straight that day, before finishing only a couple of lengths away in 6th without being fully tested. Opie Bosson remains aboard and staying at 1400m second-up looks ideal. Expect her to be ridden quietly early before finishing strongly late.
Fortune Cookie (#15) is also accepted here and looks a strong chance if the stable elects to run her in this instead. She is a Proisir 3yo filly having her second start and comes here off a promising debut at Pukekohe. She encountered traffic in the straight that day, before finishing only a couple of lengths away in 6th without being fully tested. No jockey currently declared, but expect her to be ridden quietly early before finishing strongly late.