Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Gold Trail Stakes candidates Bounding, Costa Viva and Fantastic Honour worked in dashing style at Matamata this morning as they prepared for Saturday's Hastings fillies' feature.

Galloping 22 metres out on the course proper which was on the cusp of dead and slow, Costa Viva (Cameron) was strong at the line as she took time honours in company with Sir Darci (Stack), recording 1:05 for 1000m and 37.4 for the final 600m. Costa Viva, a filly by Encosta de Lago, has trained on well from her debut win at Ruakaka late last month. Sir Darci may be a starter at Gisborne on Sunday.

Rivals Bounding (Du Plessis) and Fantastic Honour (Myers) were no less impressive as they cut out 1000m in 1:05.8 and 600m in 37.3, also hitting the line well. As the two highest rated three-year-old fillies in commission, their clash on Saturday will be very interesting.

Neutron Star (Sapsworth) prepared for the Gold Trail Stakes with possible Pukekohe weekend runner Ididit (C Grylls) over 1000m in 1:05.7 and 600m in 38.2.

Windsor Park Plate entry Xanadu (Coleman) worked solo over 1200m, running the distance in 1:19.3, her final 1000m in 1:04.8 and finishing off with 600m in 37.9. She enjoyed the improved footing and would be doubtful if track conditions worsened for the weekend.

Our Famous Eve (C Grylls) and Capone (P Turner), two more for the Windsor Park Plate, were paired over 1200m in 1:21.1, 1000m in 1:06.1 and 600m in 38.2. Our Famous Eve is forward for her season opener.

Happy Guys (P Turner) prepared for the Westbury Stud Karaka Classic at Pukekohe on Saturday when working with Illuminating (Myers) over 1200m in 1:23.6, 1000m in 1:07.4 and 600m in 38.9. Hastings candidates Traveller (Du Plessis) and Glitzabeel (B Grylls) were even over 1200m in 1:20.2, 1000m in 1:06.3 and 600m in 39.8.

Trepidation (Myers) tracked Cody Cat (Weatherley) through the early stages of 1000m before joining up at the 600m, clocking 1:08.9 for the distance and 39.4 for the final section. Viana (Cameron), who will head to Riccarton for the weekend, was paired by Gisborne Sunday entry Exabelle (Dee) over 1000m in 1:06.8 and 600m in 39.4.

Master Guru (M Brosnan) completed 1000m in 1:07 and 600m in 38.2, while Longbeach (Cameron) and Peerage (Dee) took 1:06.4 and 39.2, and Annie Higgins (Dowling) 1:10.2 and 42.6. Hastings runner Magic Shaft (Forbes) left 1000m behind in 1:08.8 and 39.3.

Mosh Pit (Sapsworth) and Our Essence (C Grylls) strode over 1200m in 1:1.7, 1000m in 1:07.2 and 600m in 39.4. Over the same ground Bronte Lass (Miller) and Abidewithme (Stack) took 1:25, 1:08.8 and 39.3, and Stanica Star (Stack) and Persia (Miller) 1:26.3, 1:08.9 and 39.5. Sworntoperfection (Ward) and Vibrant Moss (Myers) were timed over 800m in 55 and 60m in 39.8.

On the all-weather track Augusta National (Wong) and Always On My Mind (Dowling) caught the eye when they cut out 1000m in 1:02.5 and 600m in 37.1. Over the same distance Sam Mesi (J McKay) and Zaragoza (P McKay) returned 1:03.7 and 36.6, while Newyork Baker Boy (Forbes) and Almansa (B Grylls) ran 800m in 51.8 and 37.6.

Hastings entry Canterino (P McKay) covered 1200m in 1:16.2, the last 1000m with Taaxman (Gillies) in a smart 1:02.8 and 600m in 37.3.

On the sand Fastfoot (Forbes) left 1000m behind in 1:07.2, quickening for a final 600m in 37.7. Over the same ground Beauty Show (Dowling) and In Flight (Leveque) clocked 1:06.4 and 39, Savarhys (Roff) 1:08.5 and 40.5, Babilloni (C Grylls) 1:07.8 and 37.9, Armadio Estrada (W Hillis) 1:06.4 and 39.4, Chazelle (J Collett) 1:07 and 39.5, Smartly (Wells) 1:05.4 and 38.6, and Have No Mercy (K Hillis) 1:10.6 and 40.4.

Dancing Attendance (Betty) was working strongly at the end of 1000m in 1:06.6 and 600m in a smart 36.4. Villifye (Sapsworth), who is close to resuming, ran her 1000m in 1:07.9 and 600m in 39.2. Taoist Master (Roff) worked well over 1200m in 1:26.4, 1000m in 1:07.8 and 600m in 40.3.

Goosebumps (Hazlett), preparing for National Jumps Day on Sunday week, finished striding work with 1200m in 1:31.4 and 600m in 45.2. 

Pictured above Viana & Exabelle - thanks Stacey!

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