Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Happy Guys and Powerplaya shaped up well for Te Rapa on the weekend with an impressive gallop at Matamata this morning.

Allowed use of the course proper, which was dead with the rail in the two-metre position, Happy Guys and Powerplaya were ridden by their respective raceday jockeys Michael Coleman and Bridget Grylls as they covered1200m in 1:15.7, with the last 1000m in 1:01.9 and 600m in 35.8.

The Kelso stablemates will be rivals in the open 1600m at Te Rapa, where Happy Guys is a course and distance winner. Powerplaya has made very good progress since his last start third in strong company.

On a good plough, Back In Black (McRae) prepared for Saturday's Manawatu Cup with strong work over ground, timed for his last 1200m in 1:17.8, 1000m in 1:03.6 and 600m in 37.9. His last start third in the Wanganui Cup suggests more than an outside chance in the Awapuni feature.

The Hotz (C Ormsby) and Graphic (P Ormsby) looked on target for their respective engagements at Te Rapa and Awapuni when covering 1200m in 1:16.2, 1:02 and 36.8, while Imagine (Coleman) and Madly Bentley (P Ormsby) prepared for Te Rapa with 1200m in 1:19.3, 1:03.8 and 37.2.

Several members of the Jason Bridgman team did smart work as they prepared for feature festive period racing. Great Northern Guineas candidate Chambord (Hercock) and Eight Carat Classic entry Costa Viva (Myers) had early use of the plough when cutting out 1200m in 1:17.8, quickening for a brilliant final 600m in 34.7.

In similar work Great Northern Guineas runners All Decked Out (Hercock) and Aspen (Myers) had pace on throughout 1200m in 1:14.8, 1000m in 1:02 and 600m in 35.2. Eight Carat Classic prospect Flirty Gertey (Hercock) was partnered by Abidewithme (Dee) over 1200m in 1:15.5, 1:01.2 and 36.

Made My Point (Roff) and Yin Yang Master (Hepi) were also responsible for solid work over ground as they prepared for Te Rapa with 1200m in 1:14.5, 1:00.6 and 35.9. Toma Valea (P Ormsby) and Gardone (M Brosnan) ran the same distance in 1:17.8, 1:03.2 and 37.

Pictured below, Awapuni runner Enhance (Dee - on right) was paired with O'Darci (Hercock - on left) in smart work later in the session over 1200m in 1:16.6, 1:01.4 and 35.4. Villars (Sapsworth) and Fast 'N' Gorgeous (Chiong) covered 1200m in1:20.8, 1:04.6 and 36.7, while Miss Photogenic (Roff) and Svavarsson (Hepi) cut out 1000m in 1:01.2 and 600m in 36.5.

Beauty Show (Dowling), who has recovered from a hoof infection, was not chasing time over 1200m in 1:23.4, 1:07.7 and 39.9, nor was his stablemate Viadana (Dowling) as she continued her Zabeel Classic preparation with 1200m in 1:30.8, 1:13.3 and 41.8.

Sequin (Sapsworth), who in on target for the Newmarket Handicap on Boxing Day, was kept to 1200m in 1:29.6 and 600m in 42.6. Casual Fling (Ward) took 1:08.3 for 1000m and 37.6 for her last 600m. Trendy Wendy (S Wong) ran the same trip in 1:08 and 40.3, while Jersey Girl (W Hillis) returned 1:05.2 and 37.1.

Belleza Irlandesa (K McQuade) got through 1200m in 1:18.7, 1:03.8 and 38.5. Sir Darci (Hercock) and Stanica Star (Dee) covered the same ground in 1:18.3 and 37.6, while Super Thunder (Wright) took 1:20.3 and 38.9. Donny Brasco (P McKay) and Al Pacino (S McKay) sprinted in from the 800m in 49.6 and 600m in 35.8.

On the all-weather track, last start debut winner Irish Moon (Coleman) looked bright for his Te Rapa engagement when he cut out 1000m in 1:00.9 and 600m in 36. Fix (K Jones) continued her progress with 800m in 55.6 and 600m in 40.

Te Rapa entries Neutron Star (Sapsworth) and Magnify (Wratten) were timed over 1000m in 1:03.3 and 600m in 36.9.

Picture by Stacey Bridgman