Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Secret Spirit looked ready to continue her faultless run of form when she worked impressively at Matamata this morning.  Galloping right-handed on the course proper, where the going was heavy 16 metres out, Secret Spirit (Grylls) and Stralis (R Jones) began at a steady rate and picked up the tempo as they went, completing 1200m in 1:25.2 and covering their last 600m in 39.

It was very good work in the conditions and underlined Secret Spirit's fitness as she attempts to add her fourth consecutive black-type win in the Gr. 3 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday. Plans for Stralis will depend on track conditions.

Cilla (Rastrick) worked well with Strada Cavallo (Grylls) quickening from the 1000m mark and cutting out the last 600m in 39.9. Cilla, a Makfi filly who has won her only two starts to date, is entered for Te Aroha on Friday.

Lauberhorn (Grylls) and Nectacolecta (Sapsworth), two others from the Graham Richardson stable nominated for Te Aroha, worked at an even rate over 1200m in 1:25.8 and 600m in 42.5. Irish (R Jones) began quietly to run the same distance in 1:25.8, picking up momentum for a final 600m in 40.6.

On the all-weather track Puccini turned in a solid trial on the eve of his departure for Melbourne. Ridden by co-trainer Peter McKay, he trailed Irish Heartbeat (Coleman) and Jimmy Hoffa (S McKay) by three or four lengths, with the lead pair timed over 1000m in 1:01.6 and 600m in 35.3.

Puccini, who is nominated for a 1700-metre handicap at Caulfield on Saturday, hit the line well to almost get on terms with Irish Heartbeat, who also worked very well in preparation for the open sprint at Ellerslie.

Tiara Concerto (Sapsworth), who is coming to hand well, got through 1000m in 1:06.9 and 600m in 39.6.

On the sand Tatters (Hercock) and Our Abbadean (Lammas) turned in a sound gallop in preparation for Te Aroha, cutting out 1000m in 1:04 and 600m in 36.2.  Over the same ground Autumn (O'Sullivan) returned 1:05.5 and 37.2, Niamh Elizabeth (Miller) and Amperage (Cameron) 1:05.3 and 36.5, Stella's Honour (Grylls) 1:05.8 and 37.8, and Thetruthisoutthere (Hercock) and Love Actually (Hanafi) 1:04.2 and 36.5.

I'll'ava'alf (Conder), who runs in the 3210-metre race at the New Plymouth Xtreme Raceday, strode over ground, with his last 1200m in 1:21.5, 1:05.3 and 38.6.

Pussy O'Reilly (Weatherley) was unextended over 1000m in 1:09.2 and 39.6, while stablemate Irish Moon (Coleman) completed a similar task in 1:10 and 41.2.

Scrutinize (Cameron) and Xtravagant (K Jones), who are likely runners at Te Rapa next week, got through 1000m together in 1:05.9 and 37.5. So True (A Jones) and a Lucky Unicorn filly (Conder) were keen in the early stages of their work over 1000m in 1:00.8 and 600m in 37.

Prize Lad (Coleman) was more sedate over 1000m in 1:13.8 and 41.9, while Southern Icon (Tait) cut out 800m in 49.2 and 36.8.

Credit - Dennis Ryan