Matamata Runner Preview

Today the New Zealand team heads to the local meeting at Matamata with four runners including two first starters.

1.14pm R2. KANE - Craig Grylls; ran well here in the same event a few weeks ago. She has trained on well, and her faster work in the interim has been good. She's drawn fourteen, but is an honest mare who tries hard and should figure in this field on her home track.

2.59pm R5. CAPE CEILIDH - Sam Weatherley (a2); didn't get all favours in his trial at Waipa and ran on strongly the last 150 metres. He's a real staying type of horse who will appreciate much further than 1200 metres, but today will be a good starting point for him to kick off his racing career for connections.

2.59pm R5. THE DASH - Jonathan Riddell; comes into this event with a few trials under his belt. He has a few quirks to him, but his working with the blinkers on has been encouraging and we will wear the blinkers in his debut today. He's in good shape and could surprise with the right run.

4.50pm R8. SAFFRON LADY - Jonathan Riddell; has performed very well this preparation, and didn't receive all favours last start. She has continued to shape up well with two runs under her belt this preparation. She does get back in the running and if she is able to get to the outside or thread her way through, she has the ability to go very close in this field.