Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Scrutinize and Tavis Star underlined their fitness for weekend racing with a stylish gallop on the course proper at Matamata this morning.

Working against the rail in the two-metre position, Scrutinize (Miller) and Tavis Star (Cameron) relished the dead track to cut out 1200m in 1:18, 1000m in 1:02.5 and strode to the line impressively for a final 600m in 35.5.

Scrutinize is in forward condition to resume in the three-year-old 1400-metre event at Awapuni, where he will be ridden by Chris Johnson. Tavis Star has shaped up well with placings at her two latest starts and will run over 1600 metres at Te Rapa.

On the plough Realta (Fraser-Hayes) and Rose Of Virginia (Grylls) also caught the eye as they cut out 1200m in 1:18.8, 1000m in 1:03.4 and 600m in 35.7. Realta runs at Te Rapa, while her stablemate will be reserved for Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Te Rapa entry De Chine (Grylls) was partnered by Precision Hill (Tynan) over 1000m in 1:03.3, with their final 600m in 35.2. Smashing (K Jones) prepared for Awapuni with a well held 1000m in 1:06.9 and 38.5.

New Zealand 1000 Guineas runner-up Strada Cavallo (Rastrick) looked bright as she continued her Eight Carat Classic preparation with 1200m in 1:19.8, 1:04.9 and 37.6.

Bordeaux (Cameron), who will be chasing a hat-trick at Te Rapa on the weekend, worked boldly over 1200m in 1:19.7, 1:04.8 and 37.3, while stablemate Silverdale (Miller) prepared for his 1600-metre Te Rapa assignment with 1200m in 1:22, 1:06.3 and 38.2.

Rough Copy (A Collett) turned the pace on from the start of his workout to run 1200m in 1:14.6 and after picking up Roseana's Spirit (Conder) the 1000m took 1:00.2 and the last 600m in 37.

Jimmy Hoffa (S McKay) and Canterino (P McKay) did good stayers' work in preparation for Te Rapa, with 1200m in 1:18.5, 1:03.3 and 37.2. Over the same ground Victory Shall Be Mine (Sapsworth) returned 1:23.7 and 39.4, Our Drahma Queen (Lammas) 1:25.8 and 42.7, and Red Poppy (Lammas) 1:29 and 41.8.

Sasanof's Hero (M Jones) was never at top over 1000m in 1:08 and 38.5, Red Striker (J Collett) was kept to 1:13.6 and 41.2, and Bounteous (R Jones) took 1:13.5 and 40.4.

Sherpa (Tait) dashed in from the 800m in 47.7 and 35.5, while Vive La Difference (Gerard) was allowed to breeze over the same distance in 54 and 38.9.

Credit - Dennis Ryan