Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Trentham-bound pair Echezeaux and Smashing underlined their fitness with smart work at Matamata this morning.

Galloping on a dead plough, Echezeaux (Lammas) and Smashing (K Jones) were timed over their final 1000m in 1:02.9 and the last 600m in 36.6. It was good work by the Autridge/Richards-trained pair, who head south with strong form credentials.

Echezeaux, a starter in Saturday's Marton Cup, has won her last two, the most recent at Trentham last month, while Smashing runs in the Rating 85 sprint after a fresh-up third on the same track.

Another form runner for Trentham, Sopraffina (Ramsay), worked boldly with Dark And Stormy (Ritchie) over 1000m in 1:04.8, quickening for a final 600m in 35.8. Sopraffina has come through her win at New Plymouth last week in good order and will be on trial for the Wellington Cup when she runs in Saturday's Rating 75 2300-metre event.

Molly Pond (A Jones) shaped as a likely improver for Ruakaka on Friday when she strode over 1200m in 1:21.8, with her last 1000m in 1:05.6 and 600m in 38.2. Ruakaka juvenile candidates Miss Foxy Belle (C Grylls) and Icebomb (McNab) looked the part when they dashed over their final 600m in 35.5.

Red Keep (M Jones) and Elite Blue (Newman) strode over 1200m in 1:25.8, 1:08.5 and 39.4, while stablemates El Cajero (M Jones) and a Pins gelding (Newman) did similar work in 1:26, 1:08.8 and 39.2.

Only If (Davidson) was not after time over 1000m in 1:12.3 and 41.9, nor were Viz Winkle (Bailey) and a Sufficient gelding (C Grylls) in 1:13.3 and 39.6, while Nothing On Me (C Grylls) and a Red Giant gelding (Satjee) took 1:14 and 42.3.

On the all-weather track Forged (S McKay) and an Alamosa colt (Yanigeda) left 1000m behind in 1:07.2 and 38.2. Aotearower (Davidson) wasn't after time as she continued her preparation for Trentham next week with 1000m in 1:13.6 and 41.6.

Credit - Dennis Ryan