How they ran and who paid the divvies at Matamata
RACE 1: HAPARANDA (2) $5.10
RACE 2: OHOPE PRINCE (6) $18.60
RACE 3: DRAMATIST (5) $4.10
RACE 4: ROCANTO (2) $3.20
RACE 5: MAE WEST (7) $12.50
RACE 7: RECITE (2) $5.50
RACE 8: BENZINI (4) $9.10 A fortnight after clearing maidens at Matamata, HAPARANDA stepped up a grade on his return there and won again, finishing too well from midfield. Storm Bro was close to repeating his success on the course from December. Amuse was held up briefly in the straight. Facing a rise in class, rank outsider OHOPE PRINCE did have the benefit of a significant drop in weight and this helped him post his first victory in more than 15 months. Oceania was in front a stride past the line. Full Count was keen early when there was little pace on. Sharper for her fresh-up outing three weeks back, DRAMATIST scored gamely after racing handy throughout. She won three on end last spring. Smarts Encosta was short of room early in the run home. Keeping Tom came the widest on the turn. Francome raced greenly. ROCANTO went on his winning way, sitting outside the leader and taking over 200 metres from home. The finish line came too soon for Selfie, who was overhauling Rocanto rapidly. Battle Time was keen early and mid-race. Pacemaker Element wilted near the finish. Hastings visitor MAE WEST was under pressure before the turn, but she responded and came away late to win well. Orange Peel looked the probable victor for much of the run home. Irish Heartbeat was last entering the straight. Seize The Moment raced keenly. Former crack filly RECITE resumed in style from a summer break, having the race in the bag all of 200 metres out. Spellbinder was giving her a big start turning for home. Irish Encore also finished quickly. Smartly ran out of room in the closing stages when a definite place chance. BENZINI tailed the field till near the home turn and then scythed through a narrow gap in the straight to win going away. Surpass did extra work early to get close to the rail. Silverdale and Flying Orca made their runs wide across the top. Rose Of Virginia covered plenty of ground.