Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Class galloper Sword Of Osman limbered up for his three-year-old debut at Ruakaka on the weekend with pleasing work at Matamata this morning.

Galloping 22 metres out on a slow course proper, Sword Of Osman travelled up strongly for Opie Bosson over 1000m in 1:09, with a final 600m section 39.3. Even allowing that he had first use of the track and others working in company ran faster time, Sword Of Osman looked ready for a bold effort in Saturday's Northland Breeders' Stakes, in which he will be ridden by Shafiq Rusof.

Race rival Mr Universe (Bayliss) caught the eye when paired with Ruakaka open sprint entry Tiptronic (Handley) in a smartly run 1000m in 1:05.7 and 38.6. Although still a maiden, Mr Universe has shown promise in two placed runs to date and will be an interesting starter in the three-year-old feature. Tiptronic is in forward condition for his season opener after a recent trial hitout.

Mongolianconqueror (Rusof) went with Te Akau Dragon (Bosson) over 1000m in 1:08.2 and 39.5. Mongolianconqueror was a winner in his second spring trial and resumes over 1400 metres at Ruakaka, while weekend maiden debutant Te Akau Dragon has looked promising at the trials.

On the sand Underthemoonlight was ridden by trainer Karyn McQuade in a solid hitout ahead of Saturday's Awapuni Listed feature, recording 1:21.2 over 1200m, quickening for a final 1000m in 1:05.6 and finishing off with an impressive final 600m in 36.5. Nothing has gone right for Underthemoonlight in her two starts this season, but if her work and condition are any guide she is well up to bouncing back on the weekend.

Stablemate Shellez Ace (K McQuade) also looked on target for Awapuni when cutting out 1000m in 1:05.8 and 37. Charles Road (Osborne) pleased connections ahead of his departure for Melbourne with sound work over his last 1200m in 1:24.6 and 40.4

On the all-weather track a number of Ruakaka-bound horses shaped up well. The Jacob McKay-trained pair Vittachi (S Collett) and Danger Dee (R Jones) had pace on throughout 1000m in 1:00.4 and 35.8, while Amarula (P McKay) and Sagunto (S McKay) ran the same trip in 1:02.4 and 36.8.

O'Reilly colt Sagunto has come through his stakes placing at Hastings last week in good order and will run in the Northland Breeders' Stakes.

Watch This Space (Roff) and Nothing Trivial (Danis) also hitout boldly over 1000m in 1:02.2 and 36.5.

Back on the course proper The Other Half (A Jones) worked against the rail in the eight-metre position as he prepared for Rotorua on Sunday with a final 1200m in 1:18.5, 1:05.4 and 38.7.

Outside the 22m markers, South Fork (S Collett) got through sound work over 1000m in 1:06.4 and 39, while stablemate Sarabande (R Jones) returned 1:07.2 and 40.2. Others to hit out over 1000m included Golden Age (Bosson) and Ocean Star (Bakar) in 1:08.5 and 39.7, Goodnight Irene (P Brosnan) and promising maiden My Clarity (Miles) 1:08.5 and 40.6, English Rose (Rusof) and Icebomb (Bakar) 1:08.8 and 39.3, Akaba (Bayliss) and Tawny Way (Kumar) 1:09 and 40.6, Willpower (Bosson) and Red Jakkal (Bakar) 1:08.6 and 39.6, Bluetwentytwo (J Collett) 1:09.8 and 41, and Duck Road (Bosson) 1:10.2 and 41.2.

On the sand Earl Grey (Bayliss) and Recension (Kumar) did well over 1000m in 1:05.7 and 36.5, while at the same distance Katie Perry (S Collett) took 1:05.3 and 39.2, and Fayamo (A Jones) 1:08l8 and 40.6.

Credit - Dennis Ryan