Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Sassy 'N' Smart and Heroic Valour looked set to carry on their winning ways this weekend when they were paired in impressive work at Matamata this morning.

Galloping against the rail on a dead course proper, Sassy 'N' Smart (Cameron) and Heroic Valour (McNab) hit out boldly over 1000m in 1:01.7, finishing off with 600m in 34.5.

It was excellent work by the Te Akau stablemates, with Sassy 'N' Smart, who travelled sweetly to the line, set to retain her unbeaten record in Saturday's Matamata Breeders' Stakes. Fastnet Rock colt Heroic Valour, a winner on debut at Trentham last month, is in good order to make it two from two in the Reid & Harrison Slipper.

The only others to use the course proper rail were Perfect Fit (Coleman) and Irish Moon (Davidson), who prepared for their weekend engagements with a slick 1000m in 1:00.4 and 34.2. The Kelso stablemates are in excellent order for Saturday's open sprint.

Mary Quant (Weatherley) worked 15 metres on the course proper where she cut out 1200m in 1:15.6, with her last 1000m in 1:00.2 and 600m in 36. The O'Sullivan-Scott-trained mare will try for back-to-back wins on her home track on Saturday.

On the plough likely weekend rivals Bordeaux (Cameron) and Realta (Dowling) were paired over ground in solid work and were timed over their last 1200m in 1:16.7, 1:02.8 and 36.5. In similar work Matamata entrant Aotearower (Coleman) was partnered by Sombreuil (Davidson) in 1:16.8, 1:02 and 35.9.

Southern Power (A Jones) prepared for Saturday when she and Hot In High Heels (Lammas) strode over 1200m in 1:19.2, 1:03.8 and 36.6. Hot In Heels runs in the Lowland Stakes at Hastings next Wednesday.

Only A Rose (A Jones) turned in a smart trial for Saturday's open sprint when galloping solo over 1000m in 1:01.5 and 35.6, while race rival Red Stryker (S Collett) travelled strongly over 1000m in 1:02.4 and 35.8. Over the same ground Lauberhorn (Rastrick) and Jubilate (Sapsworth) returned 1:02.5 and 36.3.

In Style (N Waddell) was restricted to 1000m in 1:10.4 and 38.6, while Whosyourmaster (D Weatherly) strolled over 1200m in 1:20.1, 1:05.2 and 37.5. Both talented sprinters are being aimed at the Darley Plate at Ellerslie on Saturday week.

Prized Lad (Grylls) and Orange Peel (Hepi) did tidy work over 1000m in 1:04.1 and 36.6, while Flaming (Cameron) and Arpeggio (McNab) prepared for Matamata with 1200m in 1:18, 1:02.5 and 35.8.

Massofdash (M Jones) looked bright in her work over 1200m in 1:22.1 and 38.7, and Da Shindig (Coleman) ran the same trip in 1:22.4 and 38.1. Our Kingsway (Gibbs-Manson) and an El Hermano gelding (Brown) were kept to 1:28.5 and 41 for 1200m, while Keepherinmind (R Jones) took 1:27.6 and 42.8, and Mahalo (Rastrick) and Precision Miss (Tynan) 1:30.2 and 44.6.

Love Triangle (K Jones) was timed from the 600m in 46.4 as she continued her preparation for autumn racing, while New Zealand Oaks favourite Capella (P Turner) caught the eye when finishing off striding work on the all-weather track.

Credit - Dennis Ryan