Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Awapuni feature race candidates Amarula and Clarify were the stars of pre-Christmas training at Matamata this morning.  On the plough Clarify (P McKay) and Amarula (S McKay) strode into their work to have a full head of steam up from the 1000m mark, covering that distance in 59.8 and the final 600m in 35.7. It was excellent work by the McKay pair and underlined their readiness for Saturday's Awapuni meeting, where Clarify runs in the Manawatu Cup and Amarula in the Manawatu Challenge Stakes.

Splurge (McNab) did his Manawatu Challenge Stakes prospects no harm when he completed his work under a strong hold, cutting out 1000m in 1:05.9 and 37.2. Te Rapa weekend entries Wildflower (Handley) and Four Degrees (Masa) were in good form as they strode over the last 1200m of their work in 1:16.5, 1:02.1 and 36.

Vinevale (McNab) and Gris Dame (Bosson) were paired over 1200m in 1:21, 1:05.2 and 38.2. Vinevale is due to be sent south for next week's Timaru Cup, while Gris Dame is a possible contendor in the Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Heroic Valour (Bosson) and Mongolianconqueror (McNab) were well held over 1000m in 1:07.2 and 38.2, while Thailand (Abel) covered the same ground 1:08.6 and 38.5. Spring Heat (S Weatherley) looked bright in easy work over 1000m in 1:06.4 and 38.2. She was followed by Vanilla Moon (Loon) in 1:06.2 and 37.9, while Princess Rihanna (Bayliss) had a lighter task in 1:10.5 and 40.5.

Tiptronic (Handley) wasn't extended over 1200m in 1:23, 1:07.7 and 39.8. Wexford two-year-olds Sheezanicegirl (S Weatherley) and Nirvana In Fire (Bayliss) completed smart work over 800m in 48.3 and 35.7.

Barcelo (S McKay) wasn't pushed over 1000m in 1:07.4 and 39.6, Piazza (Bayliss) took 1:04.5 and 38, Silver Missile (Lammas) 1:11 and 41.8, Te Akau Shark (Bosson) 1:13.2 and 43.6, Princess Kereru (Lammas) 1:14.2 and 44.8, and On The Rocks (Bayliss) 1:16.5 and 44.6.

On the course proper, where the going was dead, Sistema Railway favourite Volpe Veloce (Bayliss) got through an easy 1000m workout in style, clocking 1:09.6 and 40.3. The Richardson/Parker-trained mare has thrived since her fresh-up Ellerslie win.

Griffin (Bosson) was paired with Sword Of Osman (McNab) over 1000m in 1:05.2, quickening impressively for a final 600m section in 36.8. Savabeel two-year-old Sword Of Osman has not been to the trials but looked very professional in his final serious work ahead of his debut at Awapuni on Saturday.

Fellow Te Akau juveniles Al Hasa (Bosson) and The Reel Beel (McNab) completed tidy work over 800m in 51.6 and 37.2. Al Hasa runs next in the Eclipse Stakes on New Year's Day, while The Real Beel, a trial winner, makes her debut at New Plymouth next week.

Nothing Trivial (W Hillis) prepared for Te Rapa on Saturday with solid work over ground, the last 1200m in 1:22.3, 1:06.6 and 38. Saffron Lady (Bayliss) was in her usual keen form over 1200m in 1:16.2, 1:03 and 38.

Incantesimo (Handley) and Swiss Maid (Palmar) completed 1000m in 1:07.7 and 39, while He's No Saint (A Jones) covered the same ground in 1:09.4 and 39.8.

Credit - Dennis Ryan