Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

New Zealand Cup lightweight Juggernaut Rock shaped in the style of a possible upsetter when he got through his final serious work at Matamata this morning.

Ridden by co-owner Kelly Hall on the sand, Juggernaut Rock strode over ground and was timed from the 1200m in 1:19.3, picking up the tempo for a final 1000m in 1:02.5 and 600m in 36.5. The Jason Price-trained gelding has trained on well from his last start win over 2400 metres and gives every indication that he will lap up the 3200 metres of Saturday's Riccarton feature, for which a jockey has yet to be confirmed.

Fellow New Zealand Cup candidate Canterino did his work on the all-weather track, where co-trainer Peter McKay let him stride over two rounds, running his last 1200m evenly in 1:18.4, 1000m in 1:05.8 and 600m in 39.4. He looks bright and will be ridden on Saturday by Leith Innes.

Also on the all-weather track, Powerplaya (Coleman) worked well in company with Happy Guys (K Jones) as their pair primed up for Tauranga on Saturday, cutting out a solid 1200m in 1:14.2, 1000m in 1:00.9 and 600m in 36.

She's Samashing (C Ormsby) prepared for Tauranga with a smart 1000m in 1:03.4 and 600m in 35.5, while stablemate Calypso (C Ormsby) did similar work in 1:04.2 and 36.6. Arnold (Wratten) and The Knott (Gibbs) were paired over 1200m in 1:16.5, 1:04 and 38.2. Dubai Shuffle (Sapsworth) and Letmeby (Cheung) recorded 1:19.4, 1:05.4 and 37.2.

Back In Black (McRae), preparing for next week's Counties Cup, was always comfortable over 1200m in 1:22.4, 1:07.1 and 38.3. Elusive Flirt (A Jones) left 1000m behind in 1:07 and 39.3, Square Circles (C Grylls) took 1:08.5 and 40.2, Pachenko (A Jones) 1:07.5 and 38.5, and Sateka (Goodwin) 1:04.8 and 39.

On the course proper, which was good 25m out, Villars (Sapsworth) drew attention to her Tauranga prospects when she shaded Tauranga Stakes entry Villifye (C Grylls) at the end of 1200m in 1:18.7, 1000m in 1:04.9 and 600m in 38.8. With placings at all four starts to date, Villars is set to break maiden grade this weekend.

Last start winner Agent Ziva (C Grylls) shaped up for the R85 1200 at Tauranga with 1200m in 1:18.9, 1:03.8 and 38, while stablemate Sunbeam (Coleman) returned 1:20.2, 1:04 and 38.9.

Back on the sand, New Zealand 1000 Guineas candidate Miss Mossman was ridden by raceday jockey Kelly Myers when partnering Made My Point (Roff) over 1200m in 1:20.4, 1:04.9 and 36.4.

Twist Of Fate (C Grylls) did sound work for Tauranga over 1000m in 1:04.7 and 600m in 37.3. Hidden Secret (P Turner) and Centre Stage (C Grylls) left 1200m behind in 1:20.6, with the last 1000m in 1:05.3 and 600 in 37.

Over the same ground Wairaka (Cheung) and Our Essence (Sapsworth) took 1:20.4, 1:05.5 and 38.8, Vitali (P Turner) 1:26.3, 1:10.6 and 41.5, Rose Of Virginia (Wong) 1:21.4, 1:06.2 and 38.8, Beauty Perception (Leveque) and Inis Rose (R Jones) 1:20.1, 1:06.5 and 39.2, and Chazelle (J Collett) 1:21.8, 1:06.6 and 38.8.

Pikachu (J Collett) and Beauty Show (C Grylls) did good work together over 1000m in 1:02.2 and 600m in 36.1. Douro (Wratten) also shaped up well over 800m in 49.5 and 600m in 36.2.

Mr Mendelssohn (P Turner) quickened in his work with 1000m in 1:08.2 and 600m in 39.8. Foxy Belle (Blair) covered the same ground in 1:03.8 and 37.9, while Schrodingers Cat (Brown) took 1:08.2 and 40.5, Augusta National (Wong) 1:08.4 and 40.9, Precious Time (Dee) 1:14.3 and 44.2, Copacabana (Wratten) 1:13.8 and 43.6, and Ten Belles (Allen) 1:13.3 and 40.4.

On Monday leading New Zealand 1000 Guineas candidates Bounding and Spellbinder signed off their preparations with impressive work. Hot favourite Bounding (K Jones) worked on the all-weather track, where she and Pussy O'Reilly (J Collett) cut out a slick 1200m in 1:13.7, with the last 1000m in 60.5 and the 600m in 35.8.

Spellbinder worked right-handed on the course proper, where the going was dead 23 metres out. Ridden by Kate Hercock, she was partnered by an unnamed Guillotine filly (Miller) over 1200m in 1:19.5, quickening for a final 600m in 36.3.

Traveller (K Jones), who will accompany Bounding to Riccarton, worked on the all-weather track, striding from the 1200m in 1:16.5, 1000m in 1:02.5 and finishing off with 600m in 36.5.

Photos - Stacey Bridgman

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