Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Xtravagant did all that was expected of him in his final gallop at Matamata this morning as he confirmed his fitness for Saturday's Australian Guineas.

Ridden by his raceday jockey Matt Cameron in company with Duchess Kate (Lammas) 16 metres out on the course proper, which was slow after heavy rain, Xtravagant travelled sweetly throughout 1200m in 1:19.2, 1000m in 1:05.3 and hitting the line well on the bridle with a final 600m in 38.2.

Co-trainer Stephen Autridge was well satisfied with the work on the eve of Xtravagant's flight to Melbourne.

“We're as happy as we've ever been with him, he's right on his game,” said Autridge. “With the rain we've had the ground wasn't ideal for him, but Matt said he was alright held together like that.

“Everything's in place at this end, so all we want now is a trouble-free trip across to Melbourne to set him up for the weekend.”

Duchess Kate also worked well in preparation for the Sunline Vase at Ellerslie. Capella (Du Plessis) got through very good work for the three-year-old fillies' feature when she strode over 1200m in 1:23.2, 1000m in 1:06.4 and the final 600m well held in 38.8.

Race rival Mistrahma (Rastrick) did well later in the session in her solo gallop over 1200m in 1:20, 1:06.5 and 39.6, while another for the Sunline vase, Fame Seeker (Dowling), worked boldly in blinkers with Cherry Bay (Lammas), cutting out 1200m in 1:22.4, 1:08.2 and 39.8.

Irish Moon (K Davidson) turned in a solid trial for Saturday's Darley Plate when she and Massofdash (S Collett) cut out 1000m in 1:02.6 and 38.3. Whosyourmaster (Weatherley) prepared for the big sprint with a more sedate 1000m in 1:05.8 and 39.5, while Silver Eclipse (J
Ritchie) and Devil's Harmony (S Collett) returned 1:05.4 and 39.4.

Watch This Space (Hillis) turned in a sound trial for Ellerslie over 1000m in 1:06.6 and 38.2, time that was matched by Mr Tiz Trophy entries Maholo (Rastrick) and Precision Miss (Tynan), who recorded 1:06.4 and 37.9.

Fellow Mr Tiz entry Windborne (Lammas) ran her 1000m in 1:06.2 and 49, while Sombreuil (Coleman) took 1:09.2 and 40 and Vibrant Moss (E Holmes) 1:09.3 and 40.1.

He's No Saint (A Jones) maintained an even gallop over 1200m in 1:21.6, 1:07.8 and 39.4, Nathans Memorial candidate Apache Fireworks (M Brosnan) covered the same ground in 1:23, 1:08.4 and 39.6, Keepherinmind (Hepi) took 1:27.4 and 41.8, and Nathalie Falmet (Pratab) 1:27.2 and 41.4. All The Raj (N Waddell) was well held over 1000m in 1:10.8 and 40.6.

Credit - Dennis Ryan