Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Dame Margot Fonteyn and Fashionably underlined their fitness for the Wellfield New Zealand Oaks with impressive work at Matamata this morning.

Galloping against the rail in the 2.5-metre position on a heavy course proper, Dame Margot Fonteyn (Fawcett) and Fashionably (Lammas) set off over ground and built to a solid clip to run 1200m in 1:18.7, 1000m in 1:04.5 and the final 600m in a deceptive 36.7. The Autridge/Richards stablemates are in excellent order for the fillies' classic.

All other work on the course proper took place at the 20-metre position, where Auckland Cup candidate Mister Impatience (D Weatherley) was unextended over the last 1200m of his hitout in 1:28.7, 1:12.5 and 40.9. The proven stayer is in good order for Thursday's Ellerslie feature.

New Zealand Oaks entry Dreamcrafter (Coleman) led Saint Finn (C Grylls) to the end of 1200m in 1:22.4, 1:08.7 and 41.4. She looks bright but a decision has yet to be made whether she will take her place at Trentham.

Smashing (Lammas) prepared for the feature sprint at Trentham when she and Sassy 'N' Smart (Leveque) cut out 1000m in 1:08.5 and 38.9. Aotearower (McNab), who heads south for Saturday's Cuddle Stakes, also impressed in her work over 1200m in 1:22.2, 1:07.8 and 39.9.

Mary Quant (Coleman) was in good form ahead of her Te Rapa engagement over 1200m in 1:23.8, 1:11.2 and 39.7. Royal Success (C Grylls) and Alamosa Express (McNab) were timed over 1000m in 1:09.2 and 39.2, while Sarabande (Newman) ran the same trip in 1:08.2 and 40.9, Strada Cavallo (Fraser-Hayes) took 1:06.5 and 41.2, and Ali Baba (Coleman) 1:09.4 and 40.2.

New Zealand St Leger entry Hot In High Heels (Tierney) had early use of the track when she strode over 1200m in 1:22.4, 1:07.3 and 40.2, while Wellington Guineas candidates Secret Stash (Tynan) and Babe (Gorham) covered the same distance in 1:23.5, 1:07.1 and 40.9.

New Zealand Oaks runner Incantesimo (McNab) was paired with Te Aroha Friday entry All Razzle Dazzle (Gorham) over 1200m in 1:22.3, 1:08.5 and 41.2. Also over ground, Piazza (S Weatherley) was timed to run her last 1200m in 1:24.3, 1:08.5 and 40.5, while Keep On Coming (Coleman) took 1:24.5, 1:09.2 and 40.6, and Saffron Lady (Lammas) 1:23.3, 1:08.7 and 40.

Our King Sway (A Jones), who will now go direct to the Japan-NZ Trophy at Tauranga after his Ellerslie race was scrapped, enjoyed his work over 1000m in 1:07.4 and 40.4. Over the same ground Good Vibes (Miles) and La Vamos (P Brosnan) returned 1:10.2 and 40.6, Alakazam (Tiaki) 1:08.8 and 40.2, and Arraignment (S Weatherley) 1:10.2 and 40.9.

Ruby Armani (D Weatherley) was well held over 1200m in 1:27.6, 1:12.8 and 40.2, while Temple Tiger (Fawcett) and Clovelly Park (Bourke) ran in from the 800m in 52.5 and 38.8.

On the all-weather track Tatters (M Grylls) and Wide Awake (Leveque) looked sharp for upcoming engagements as they reeled off 1000m in 1:01.7 and 36.5.

Wellington Guineas entry Danger Dee (J McKay) was paired with Tatty Bogler (S McKay) over an easy 1000m in 1:08.9 and 39. Eprouvez (Fraser-Hayes) ran the same distance in 1:08.2 and 39.4, while Amarula (P McKay) and Al Pacino (S McKay) were timed over 800m in 54.5 and 38.

On the sand High Distinction (S Collett) and Le Petite Rouge (Danis) prepared for the weekend with 1000m in 1:07.2 and 37.8. Arabian Duke (K McQuade) wasn't after time over 1000m in 1:11.3 and 40.2.

Credit - Dennis Ryan