Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

New Zealand Oaks candidates Strada Cavallo, Tessastock and Duchess Kate underlined their fitness for Saturday's Trentham classic with sound work at Matamata this morning.

On the plough the Graham Richardson-trained Strada Cavallo (Rastrick) and Tessastock (Tynan) worked together over ground, building momentum to cover their last 1200m in 1:16.2, 1000m in 1:01.4 and the final 600m in an impressive 34.6. Strada Cavallo continued her good form when second to Oaks favourite Sofia Rosa in the Lowland Stakes, while her maiden stablemate finished a respectable fifth in the same race.

Oaks rival Duchess Kate was ridden by her raceday jockey Cameron Lammas when she partnered Te Rapa weekend candidate Amperage (Cameron) over 1200m in 1:20.2, 1:05.3 and 37. Duchess Kate didn't have a lot of luck in the Sunline Vase and on Saturday will be returning to the scene of her Desert Gold Stakes win in January.

Irish Moon (Grylls) turned in a smart trial for the open sprint at Te Rapa on Saturday with a solo 1000m gallop in 1:02.5 and 35.1. Rasa Lila (J Ritchie) was in good form as she prepared for the Cuddle Stakes at Trentham by trailing Mopsy (S Collett) in the early stages of her gallop and working up alongside to cut out 1000m in 1:01.3 and 36.3.

Stablemate Silver Eclipse (J Ritchie) was in good form for the Lightning Handicap at Trentham as she cut out 1000m in 1:01.2 and 35.6.
She was followed by Devil's Harmony (S Collett) in 1:02.5 and 36.2.

On the course proper, which was dead 18 metres out, Mary Quant (D Weatherley) worked boldly over 1000m in 1:02.3 and 600m in 36.2. The O'Sullivan-Scott-trained mare will attempt her third consecutive 1600-metre win at Te Rapa on the weekend.  Stablemate Whosyourmaster (D Weatherley) also worked well in preparation for the Lightning Handicap when cutting out 1000m in 1:03.2 and 36.4. Da Shindig (Grylls) worked over ground and was timed from the 1200m in 1:21.5, 1:06.3 and 37.3.  Smartly (Cole) and Snave (Danis) worked on the rail in the three-metre position, where they had pace on throughout 1200m in 1:13.6, 1:00.1 and 35.5. Smartly will race at either Trentham or Te Rapa, while Snave goes to Te Rapa.

On the all-weather track, Onlyarose (A Jones) turned in a good trial for the feature Te Rapa sprint with 1000m in 1:03 and 36.3.

Back on the plough, Lauberhorn (Rastrick) prepared for the Wellington Guineas when he and Pacquiao (Tynan) strode over 1200m in 1:17.7, 1:02 and 35.4.

Te Rapa entry Chambord (Grylls) ran 1200m in 1:20.5, 1:04.5 and 36.2, while Persuasive (D Weatherley) and Divine Duke (Bhiwami) covered 1000m in 1:04.2 and 36.5. Arpeggio (Lammas) and Smashing (K Jones) ran the same trip in 1:05.3 and 35.6, Antonio Lombardo (S McKay) and Dinero (P McKay) took 1:04.4 and 37.2, and Massofdash (J Collett) 1:03 and 37.4.

He's No Saint (A Jones) worked soundly over 1200m in 1:21.4, the last 1000m with Maestro Tom (Grant) in 1:05.9 and 600m in 37.5. Stablemate Silk Chardonnay (A Jones) was in bold form over ground, returning 1:16.5, 1:01.3 and 36.2.

Dezignator (Hillis) had pace on throughout 1200m in 1:18.9, 1:03.6 and 36.4, while Southern Icon (Tait) reeled off 800m in 47.8 and 36. Gardone (M Brosnan) wasn't after time over 1000m in 1:08.8 and 39.8, while Sleeping Beauty (Grylls) took 1:09.9 and 40.2, Linchpin (R Jones) and Highly Likely (Cameron) 1:12 and 41.5, Boulted In (C Ormsby) 1:14.4 and 38.9, Queens Rose (Tynan) 1:15.3 and 43.4, and Battle Cry (Wratten) and Sombreuil (Davidson) 1:14.2 and 44.2.