Racing: Spoke To Carlo good chance in $50,000 feature at Matamata

The Justice League (inner) is carrying some weight but he should be a chance in race 3 at Matamata today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Great each-way betting at Matamata today.

A decent surface for a change and it should result in some extremely competitive racing.

Despite the perception of being a mudder, Spoke To Carlo is a decent chance on a better surface. The $50,000 Team Wealleans Matamata Cup should be run to suit his style and Leith Innes will give him every chance. Tyne Cot might need some luck from the No 1 barrier, but if he gets it he can be the main danger.

El Cajero (No4, R1) has looked promising in just four starts and should appreciate the step to 1600m. He is trained on this track and has a nice barrier. Bon Marche (No3) has a slightly wide barrier, but should be in the trifecta.

Zadiffra (No13, R2) is some value. She was not suited by the wet track at Ellerslie last start and should go something better on a good track here. The barrier looks good.

Hayley Ann (No11) is worse off in the draw, but she could still figure, and Keepherinmind (No7) is another chance.

The top two stand out in Race 3 - The Justice League (No1) and Massa Lu (No2). The Justice League only just scraped home at Ruakaka last start, but a couple of things went wrong and it was a smart effort. The 58.5kg is not an easy task, but he should be up to it. Massa Lu is fitter for two runs back as a 3-year-old and looked good when second behind Secret Spirit last start.

Race 4 is difficult, but Meritaggio (No9) may go a big race fresh from a break. Her maiden win came at this track and the 1600m will give her a chance. Real Winners (No1) and River Raider (No2) are dangers.

Ulrika Holmquist will take 2kg off Ysabella Brave (No1, R5) taking her down to a more manageable 57kg. Her main form has been on heavy footing, but she has been successful on a dead track and this looks like a nice race for her. Saint Emilion (No2) has been in great form.

Prize Lad (No4, R6) is a lot better than his last start Hastings run suggests. Two starts back he was closing well at the finish of 1600m and stepping up to the 2000m is perfect for him. Brendan Hutton's 1kg claim takes him down to 57kg. Lots of chances including Sororia (No11), Packing Chaparral (No9), Royal Sceptre (No5) and Finns Halo (No7).

There is also a stack of winning chances in Race 8. One of them is local mare Saoirse (No9), who will carry just 53kg with an apprentice allowance. She has previously won second up from a spell and she looks well placed to figure in what is a useful field. Irish Moon (No1) will get apprentice relief from her 59.5kg and that makes her a likely multiple bets chance. Capone (No3) and Matimba (No2) are upsetters.

El Disparo (No1, R9) will carry his full 59kg topweight, but that does not count him out in the last. He is a progressive type and rates highly.

Sea of Speed (No10) is a must for multiples.