Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Three-year-olds preparing for their final New Zealand Derby rehearsal at Ellerslie on the weekend were the centre of attention at Matamata this morning.

Mongolianconqueror (McNab) and Griffin (Lammas) went together in sound work over ground on the course proper, where the ground was heavy 18 metres out. The Autridge/Richards pair, who will run in Saturday's Avondale Guineas, were timed from the 1200m in 1:24.6, with the last 1000m in 1:09.4 and 600m in 40.2.

Race rival The Mayor (S Weatherley) worked in good style as he went solo and without being pressured cut out 1200m in 1:25.5, 1:11.2 and 41.6. On The Rocks (Bayliss) was also well held in his Avondale Guineas preparation, cutting out the last 1200m in 1:26.8, 1:11.4 and 41.4.

Charles Road (S Weatherley) looked in good touch for Saturday's Nathans Memorial when he and Aero De Paris (Yanagida) left the last 1200m of their behind in 1:21.7, 1:08.4 and 40.5. Recent Melbourne arrival Araldo Junior (Bayliss), who makes his debut in the Nathans Memorial, was well held in his work, with the last 1200m taking 1:25.3, 1:10.9 and 42.2.

Clarify (S McKay) had first use of the track as he strode over 1200m in 1:26.8 and 1000m in 1:08.4, with no final sectional possible due to poor light. Ellerslie runner Vanilla Moon (Yanagida) had no problem handling the conditions as she cut out 1000m in 1:10.3 and 40, while Tiptronic (Handley) and Normandy (Hashazumi) covered 1200m in 1:22.3, 1:06.9 and 41.8.

Tavis Star (Newman) and English Rose (Lammas) impressed in their work over 1200m in 1:23.7, 1:08.5 and 39.8. Splurge (Bosson), who is likely to run next in the Otaki weight-for-age feature on Saturday week, ran his 1200m in 1:22.4, 1:07.2 and 40.4.

Age Of Fire (Bosson), whose autumn plans have yet to be finalised, was allowed easy work over 1000m in 1:14.5 and 600m in 43.5. Master Rick (A Jones) strode over 1200m in 1:25.6 and 42.2, and was followed by Iffraajinator (Cole) in 1:25.2 and 41.3.

Credit - Dennis Ryan