Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Annie Higgins and Graphic looked ready for big efforts in Saturday's Platinum Homes Wellington Cup when they galloped stylishly at Matamata this morning.

Working 15 metres out on a good course proper with raceday jockey Matt Cameron in the saddle, Annie Higgins was partnered by Quest (K Jones) over 2000m. The pair had hit full stride by the 1200m mark and were timed to run that distance in 1:15.2, the last 1000m in 1:02.2 and 600m in 37.2.

Annie Higgins drew clear of her companion over the final stages, hitting the line strongly and giving every impression she can go one better than last year's close second in the Trentham feature.

Graphic (C Ormsby) did his work on the plough, where he and maiden stablemate Buckwild (P Ormsby) strode into their task to cover 1200m in 1:18.8, picking up momentum all the way for a final 1000m in 1:01.6 and 600m in an impressive 35.5. Graphic has trained on well since his Dunstan Stayers' Championship win on New Year's Day and is a definite lightweight threat on Saturday. Buckwild will run on Friday at Rotorua, where he finished second at his last start.

Spellbinder (Cameron) turned in an impressive trial for Sunday's Karaka 3YO Mile when she went solo over 1200m in 1:17.1, 1000m in 1:01.3 and 600m in 35.8. She has made excellent progress since her winning return earlier in the month.

Sir Darci (Cameron), another member of the Bridgman team heading for the Ellerslie three-year-old feature, also worked well when he and Ellerslie special maiden candidate Equanimity (Hercock) strode over 1200m in 1:17.3, 1:02.6 and 35.6.

Brave Centaur (Dowling) prepared for Saturday's Thorndon Mile with sound work over 1200m in 1:16.6, 1000m in 1:02.3 and 600m in 36.4. He looks bright and is capable of turning his last start form around. Race rival Capone (P Turner) wasn't after time as he cruised over 1000m in 1:08.2 and 600m in 37.8, while Forefront (Myers) was let off with 1200m in 1:30.7 and 600m in 45.2.

Dubai Shuffle (Sapsworth) turned in an impressive trial for Trentham when working with Let Me By (C Grylls) over 1200m in 1:17.2, 1:02.6 and 36.2. Tiger Moss (O'Sullivan) was another Trentham final day entrant to work well when she and Quintastics (Donnelly) cut out 1000m in 1:02.5 and 36, while Xalted (C Ormsby) and Le Choix (P Ormsby) ran the last 1000m of their work in 1:02.8 and 600m in 35.7.

Trentham runner Copacabana (C Grylls) and Rotorua entry Funhouse (Sapsworth) covered 1000m in 1:06.2 and 37.5, Miss Dell'era (O'Sullivan) ran the same distance in 1:07.8 and 39.4, Kaleidoscope (Blair) took 1:08.8 and 38.2, and Resume (B Grylls) and Pirie Piper (Holmquist) 1:05.6 and 37.9.

Total Response (C Ormsby) and Unknown Pleasure (P Ormsby) were sharp over 1000m in 1:03.4 and 600m in 35, while Little Miss Waitoki (R Jones) ran the same trip in 1:02.2 and 36.9, and Anyx (M Gibbs) and Victory Shall Be Mine (Chiong) returned 1:03.3 and 37.1.

Billie Jean King (Holmquist), who runs at Te Teko on Monday, got through 1200m in 1:19.4, 1000m in 1:04.2 and 600m in 37.6, while The Bunsta (Coleman) took 1:10.6 and 41.5 over 1000m and Fiftyshadesofgrey (K Jones) 1:06.2 and 38. Last start maiden graduate Longbeach (Cameron) looked bright as he continued his Waikato Guineas preparation with easy work over 1200m in 1:30.9 and 600m in 44.3.

Also over 1200m, King Savinsky (Cameron) took 1:25.6 and 41, China Tea (Blair) 1:22.2 and 38, Wannabe (Coleman) 1:25.6 and 40, Electric Fizz (Wright) 1:24.2 and 38.5 and Liberare (B Grylls) 1:24.5 and 41.4.

On the all-weather track Stoneleigh (K Hillis) prepared for Rotorua with 1000m in 1:07.5 and 39. Xanadu (Coleman), who reappears at Thursday's Paeroa trials, got through her work well over 1000m in 1:12.8 and 42.6.

Credit - Dennis Ryan