Matamata hosts an eight-race card on Wednesday, with the track rated a Heavy8 and the rail out 6m. Conditions are overcast but clear, therefore it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the track return to the Soft range.
Mitch Davis has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the eight races at the Matamata meeting on Wednesday 16 September below:
Coniston (#3) got back in the field and raced greenly on debut over 1200m at Te Rapa, but still produced all the fastest closing splits that day, finishing into 7th. Michael McNab retains the ride for this second-up assignment, and he maps to settle a touch closer to the speed from a handy gate. Should take plenty of beating with any natural improvement from that debut effort.
| 3. Coniston (5) J: Michael McNab 57.5kg 7 T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
Sweet Torquer (#8) didn’t have any favours last start at Cambridge Synthetic, posted without cover for the duration over 1550m, and she didn’t look as effective on the polytrack there either. Conditions underfoot here should suit her much better, and Warren Kennedy taking over is a positive. She maps to settle midfield with cover from a middle barrier, where she’ll likely be saved for one run to see out the trip. An improved effort wouldn’t surprise in what looks a very even field.
| 8. Sweet Torquer (5) J: Warren Kennedy 56.5kg 73645 T: Samantha Logan |
Zaharias (#6) is a 3yo Super Seth filly resuming here for the locally-based Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson stable, last seen finishing 11th in the 2yo KM at Ellerslie back in January. She’s trialled very boldly ahead of this, and though she hasn’t been asked for much of an effort in any of her hit-outs, she’s found the line well each time. Craig Grylls takes over and she maps to settle ahead of midfield with cover from a nice low gate. Hard to beat.
| 6. Zaharias (3) J: Craig Grylls 54kg 2230X T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson |
Places To Be (#2) heads into this first-up assignment for Kelly Van Dyk with no public trials to speak of, which is a slight query. Even though a genuine tempo can be expected here, she looks fast enough to find the front from the outside gate regardless. If she can get there, she’ll take all sorts of catching.
| 2. Places To Be (6) J: Matthew Cameron 58kg 24X4X T: Kelly Van Dyk |
Rhaena (#14) is a 3yo Jon Snow filly on debut for Andrew Forsman who has been given plenty of time ahead of making her first raceday appearance. She’s had the benefit of three spaced out trials, and she’s seemingly gotten better with each one. George Rooke taking the reins is a plus, and going off the tactical speed she’s shown in those trials, she maps to settle handy from a middle barrier. Bold debut showing wouldn’t surprise.
| 14. Rhaena (9) Scratched: | |||
La Danza (#1) resumes here, last seen finishing 11th behind Solid Gold in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes at Ellerslie back in April. She’s trialled nicely ahead of her return, getting home strongly late. She’s yet to be tested at a trip shorter than 1560m, so this 1400m fresh is naturally a slight concern. She maps to settle back in the field from a wide gate, but expect her to be flashing home late. She looks a solid each-way chance in a very even field.
| 1. La Danza (11) J: Tom Wigram 54.5kg 3220X T: Darryn & Briar Weatherley |
Typhoon Lucy (#4) is a locally-trained 4yo Dundeel mare for Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson who resumes here, last seen winning by 0.7L over 1400m in Maiden company here back in March. She’s trialled very well ahead of her return, which should have her ready to go for this. Michael McNab retains the ride from a nice low gate, where she maps to settle ahead of midfield with cover. Looks the one to beat.
| 4. Typhoon Lucy (2) J: Michael McNab 57kg 461X T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson |
Sweet But Psycho (#5) couldn’t get past With Grace late last start over 2400m at Te Rapa, beaten just a short margin into 2nd – form that’s since been franked by With Grace winning again in a canter over the weekend. Michael McNab retains the ride, and she maps to settle midfield with cover from a middle barrier. Looks to find the right race to go one better.
| 5. Sweet But Psycho (10) J: Michael McNab 58kg 43222 T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |