Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Xtravagant confirmed his readiness for Ellerslie on Boxing Day with an impressive gallop at Matamata this morning.

Working right-handed 18 metres on a good course proper, Xtravagant (Cameron) was partnered by Ekraarstatic (Lammas) over a round, cutting out the last 1200m in 1:16.3 and the final 600m in 36.2.

The New Zealand 2000 Guineas' winner has come to hand pleasingly and his reappearance in the three-year-old 1400-metre event on Saturday will be a highlight of the support card on Ellerslie's big day. Stablemate Ekraarstatic doesn't need to improve much on her last-start second to be right in the thick of her weekend assignment.

During a busy session several leading prospects for Ellerslie caught the eye. On the plough Eight Carat Classic entry Capella looked in good shape after her impressive home track win last Wednesday when she cut out 1200m in 1:17.3, with her last 1000m in 1:01.8 and 600m in 35.5. She was ridden by Mark Du Plessis, replacing Opie Bosson who is committed to Eulogy Stakes winner Coldplay on Saturday.

Race rival Strada Cavallo (Rastrick) and three-year-old 1400 candidate Precision Miss (Tynan) turned in good work over 1200m in 1:17.2, 1:01.7 and 35.8, while Volks Lightning (Grylls), another for the Eight Carat,  was paired with Lauberhorn (Rastrick) in a smart 1200m in 1:15.7, 1:01.5 and 35.8. Ruby Armani (C Ormsby) prepared for the fillies' feature with tidy work over 1200m in 1:20.6, 1:05.8 and 36.9.

Fascination Street (D Weatherley) was in brilliant form for the Newmarket Handicap when she ran a solo 1000m in 59.2 and 35. Race rival Irish Moon (Lammas) went with Muriwai (Coleman) over 1200m in 1:15.9, 1:00 and 35.2.

Red Striker (S Collett) also looked on target for the Newmarket when cutting out 1200m with Light Up A Screen (J Collett) in 1:1:17.2, 1:01.5 and 36.3. Sound Proposition (D Weatherley) looked ready for a bold fresh-up run on the weekend when he left 1000m behind in 1:01.4 and 36.2, while stablemate Suffire (Grylls) followed over the same distance in 1:01.5 and 36.4.

Perfect Fit (Davidson) looked in the right shape to complete a hat-trick on Saturday when she and Aotearower (Coleman) reeled off 1200m in 1:14.9, 1:00.4 and 35. Others to run good time included Vinevale (Miller) and Astrid (Hercock) over 1000m in 1:03.2 and 36.1.

Opulent (K Jones) and Vive La Difference (Miller) got through their work well over 1200m in 1:19.5, 1:02.5 and 35.8. Over the same ground Soul Sista (Grylls) returned 1:22.9, 1:05.9 and 36.6, Maestro (Lammas) and Our Drahma Queen (Cameron) 1:17.5, 1:02.9 and 37, Tessastock (Tynan) and Rose Of Virginia (Dowling) 1:18.6, 1:04.2 and 37.6, and Apache Fireworks (M Brosnan) 1:18.4, 1:03.4 and 36.8.

Whosyourmaster (Coleman) continued his Railway Stakes preparation with an easy 1000m in 1:09.8 and 41.4. Lanceato (Dowling), who is being aimed at the Great Northern Guineas on New Year's Day, took 1:12.2 and 40.2 for his last 1000m.

Spawn Of Elaia (Swann) and Girlfriend's Gone (Conder) did sound work over 1000mm in 1:04.2 and 36.3, while Massofdash (M Jones) was timed from the 800m in 50.8 and 37.6.

Bishop's Rock (Cameron) and Zambezi Warrior (Ritchie) strode through 1200m in 1:19.5, 1:02.5 and 36.2. Quintastics (D Weatherley) ran the same trip in 1:25.2, 1:07.2 and 39.5, while Etonic (Grylls) took 1:20.4, 1:04.6 and 36.7.

Ellerslie two-year-old runner Tesia (Grylls) and Fendalton (Coleman), a first starter at Rotorua on Sunday with good trial form, were paired over 1000m in 1:04.1 and 37.

On the course proper, Snapshot (Grylls) prepared for the Newmarket Handicap with steady work over 1200m in 1:17.8, 1:04.4 and 37.9. Eprouvez (Rastrick) and Maholo (Tynan) covered the same ground in 1:04 and 36.2.

Credit - Dennis Ryan