Saturday Racing Tips - Matamata 14/02/26

The Matamata card this Saturday is headlined by the Grade 1 Herbie Dykes Stakes.

Ahead of the first race we have run our eye through the card and picked out some of our best horse racing tips.

As well as our exclusive tips we have highlighted three races which look to be the most competitive of the day. Whether you want to back a short priced favourite, or a horse at longer odds, read on as we have every angle covered.

(Note: Odds provided by 20Bet)

Selections:

Lara Antipova – 1.35

Te Encuentro – 5.00

Liguria – 6.00

BEST BET – Lara Antipova

In a contest where the best 2 year old fillies will be on display, it’s hard to look past Lara Antipova being the best. A shortie here, she has already tasted success at this level and looks well placed to follow that up here.

THE DANGER – Te Encuentro

The danger could come from Te Encuentro. Having just had the one start so far, that win at Ellerslie at Christmas certainly suggested that she was a horse capable of going places. She has form to find with Lara Antipova but could be hugely unexposed and capable of better.

VALUE BET – Liguria

Our value play here is Liguria. She left her debut well behind when winning at Ellerslie a few weeks ago. She showed she could compete at this level, and any market moves could be hugely significant and worth monitoring.

Selections:

Belle Cheval – 3.30

Captured By Love – 6.50

Lux Libertas – 8.00

BEST BET – Captured By Love

When it comes to form and class Captured By Love looks to be the market leader, however having been off track for nine weeks, there could be fitness concerns. She could be the front runner and if afforded a soft time of things out in front she could be hard to peg back.

THE DANGER – Belle Cheval

Belle Cheval is likely to rate as the main danger. Set to be the favourite, she’s placed in the 1000 Guineas and was victorious in Grade 3 company last time out. She is the form horse and if Captured By Love isn’t fully firing, she looks to be the likely winner.

VALUE BET – Lux Libertas

Lux Libertas could represent some value and having won the Grade 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes last time out she looks heavily overpriced and could be the best value bet of the day.

Selections:

She’s A Dealer – 2.70

What You Wish For – 8.50

Wolfgang – 27.00

BEST BET – She’s A Dealer

She’s A Dealer in the Kaimai Stakes will prove popular with punters. Returning to calmer waters after forays into both Grade 3 and Grade 2 company, she has shown on multiple occasions she can win in this grade, and she will be hugely competitive here.

THE DANGER – What You Wish For

What You Wish For is something of a track specialist having won at Matamata twice. Versatile in terms of distance, there are high hopes that 2000m could be his optimum distance and he could be a huge danger to all.

VALUE BET – Wolfgang

Our long shot of the day is Wolfgang. Hugely experienced, a step up to 3200 metres last time out was clearly a bridge too far. Now back down to a more suitable distance, his best form could be unlocked and with conditions set to suit, he can’t be discounted.

If you want to place a bet on any New Zealand race this Saturday, then Sportaza should be the place to do it. With a host of international horse racing markets and with over 35 different sports to bet on, Sportaza’s sporting selection is up with the best.

With a whole host of deposit methods and quick and easy withdrawals, making an initial deposit is easy and there is a brilliant welcome offer that new customers can take advantage of.

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Join us every Saturday and Wednesday for our exclusive racing tips.

Each week we will provide the very best free horse racing tips that have been compiled by our experts.

Making sure that you don’t miss any of New Zealand’s biggest races, we will let you know what horses to watch out for and what horses could be capable of winning at a big price.

Providing information about the track and who are the notable jockeys to follow, our experts will provide you with all the information you need to know.

We will also cover any bonus bet or other promotions that are running that day and even have recommendations for other bets like multi tips, and our daily quaddie.

For a more in-depth explanation of horse racing bet types and tips for placing, visit our tips and information page.

Samantha Collett has a strong book of rides especially in the early parts of the card. She could be a jockey to follow.

Samantha Collett rides:

R1– 2 – I'll Be Home Soon – 8.00

R2 – 6 – Scolera – 2.60

R3 – 5 – Justin Case – 7.00

R4 – 12 – The Trendsetter – 4.80

R5 – 2 – Liguria – 6.00

R7 – 9 – Basel Warrior – 4.20

R8 – 4 – Sagunto – 23.00

R9 – 11 – Unwritten – 21.00

Why not back our Samantha Collett treble?

Treble:

R2 – 6 – Scolera - WIN $2.60
R4 – 12 – The Trendsetter - WIN $4.80
R7 – 9 – Basel Warrior - WIN $4.20

Total Odds = $51.416
$10 Stake = $524.16 Return!

Odds provided by Sportaza.

If you don’t like the look of our treble, then fear not as our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of bets that you can place. If you want to find out more explore it today.

Racecourse Trifecta Tip

1st: 1, 4, 9, 15

2nd: 1, 4, 9, 15

3rd: 1, 4, 9, 15

$50 stake = 208% flexi

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With an exciting welcome offer and incentives and rewards for existing customers there is plenty of value that can be had when choosing to play with 20Bet.