Impressive debut winner Matauri raced up to expectations at Avondale, despite being ignored in the betting market.

The daughter of Group One winners Ocean Park and Calveen slipped under punters’ guards when she was successful on Thursday at odds of 28-1.

“She’s a promising filly and we rate her quite highly,” co-trainer Murray Baker said. “We thought she would go close, she’s well-bred and we couldn’t believe the price.”

A half-brother (Lot 85) by Shooting To Win to Matauri will be offered by Haunui Farm at the Book 1 Sale at Karaka on Sunday evening.

Baker was also pleased with the first-up effort of Rhinestone Cowboy to finish third behind Matauri.
“He’s a good horse and he’ll improve a lot,” he said.