Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes rivals Volpe Veloce and Yearn shaped up well at Matamata this morning in preparation for Saturday's Pukekohe feature. Volpe Veloce (Coleman) galloped solo on the course proper, which was good 20 metres out, completing 1200m in 1:21 and increasing the tempo for a final 1000m in 1:06.4 and 600m in 38.6. The Railway winner has made good progress since her fresh-up run three weeks ago and should enjoy the step up to 1400 metres in the fillies and mares' race.

Form runner Yearn was ridden by her raceday jockey Shaun McKay in solo work on the plough, where she covered 1000m under a hold in 1:07.2 and 38.2. The Karen Fursdon-trained mare goes into the Breeders' Stakes with a win and a second at her last two starts.

Back on the course proper The Boy Wonder (Bayliss) did sound work ahead of his Pukekohe engagement with 1200m in 1:23.4, 1:07.8 and 38.5, while his stablemate On The Rocks (Bayliss) prepared for his weekend engagement over the same ground in 1:25.8, 1:09.6 and 39.2.

On the plough Le Sablier (A Jones) and Chance To Dance (Nason) were paired in smart work over 1000m in 1:02.4 and 36.8. Le Sablier has returned from a short break in bright order, while Chance To Dance will have his first start since January in the open 1500 at Awapuni on Saturday.

Princess Kereru (Lammas) and Donna Imelda (Coleman) worked well ahead of their weekend engagements when cutting out 1000m in 1:03.8 and 37.4. Over the same ground Pukekohe candidates Our King Sway (R Jones) and Vermont (Fawcett) returned a smart 1:03.4 and 36.3, while Autumn Wild (Yanagida) and Wild Seas (Paulin) showed their paces in 1:01.8 and 36.6.

Qian Gua (D Miller) did sound work ahead of Awapuni with 1200m in 1:17.7, 1:02.1 and 36.4. Also over ground, Pukekohe entry Suleiman (Hashizume) took 1:22.4 and 40 over his last 1200m. Adis (Lammas) and Sasanof's Hero (R Jones) returned smart time over 1000m in 1:02.l5 and 36.9.

Wisdom Patch (Lammas) left 1000m behind in 1:06 and 37.2, Musical Blues (Coleman) and Dream Ahead (Bayliss) took 1:06.2 and 39, Tiptronic (Handley) and Flying Trapeze (Hashizume) 1:08.4 and 38.8, Spinnaker Bay (S McKay) and Craggy Range (Newman) 1:06.8 and 37.4, and King Kane (D Miller) 1:05.4 and 39.2.

Melody Belle (L Miller) enjoyed her work over 800m in 57.2 and 40.9, as did She's A Thief (Bayliss) when clocking 57.8 and 41.6. Over the same trip Cavallo Veloce (P McKay) and Desirabull (S McKay) wasted no time as they clocked 49.4 and 36.2. Rumour Mill (A Jones) and Iridessa (Bayliss) took 52.4 and 37.8 for 800m, and High Distinction (S Collett) and Lady Davone (C Cole) 51.5 and 37.2.

On the all-weather track Liquid Inspiration (Danis) and Azabeat (W Hillis) were timed over the last 800m of their work in a dashing 49.2 and 36.2.

Credit - Dennis Ryan