Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Xanadu and Viadana looked sharp when preparing for another Group One target, while several candidates for weekend home track features shaped pleasingly during a busy trackwork session at Matamata this morning.

On a good plough Xanadu worked solo with raceday rider Michael Coleman in the saddle, hitting out boldly over 1200m in 1:15.3, 1000m in 1:01 and her final 600m in 35.7. The Kelso-trained mare has come through her fresh-up NRM Sprint fourth in excellent order and will be hard to beat in Saturday's Haunui Farm Classic at Otaki.

NRM Sprint winner Viadana (C Grylls) signalled her readiness for the Otaki feature when she worked with Mrs Neat (C Ormsby) over 1200m in 1:16.7, with the last 1000m in 1:02.4 and 600m in 36.4. Viadana isn't one to dazzle on the training track and this was right up to her best work, while Mrs Neat also shaped pleasingly as she prepared for the Rating 85 1600 on her home track.

Thrill (K Jones) and Reachin' Out (C Ormsby) hit out impressively on a dead course proper in preparation for the J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes. After working away steadily from the 1000-metre mark, they picked up the tempo to cover the full distance in 1:04.2, with the final 600m in a smart 35.5.

The only other to work on the course proper was Dancing Attendance (Cameron), who worked over ground and was timed from the 1200 in 1:21.5, 1000m in 1:04.9 and the last 600m in 37, hitting the line strongly. She runs in the Marks Ewen & Associate Kaimai Stakes on Saturday.

Race rival Roc De Chine (Myers) also worked well when she and Rating 65 1600 entry Diorella (M Gibbs) covered 1200m in 1:19.9, 1:04.6 and 38.3, while Smartly (W Hillis), another in the Listed 2000 metres, did good work in company with Perfect Start (K Hillis) over their last 1000m in 1:03.7 and 36.5.

Powerplaya (Coleman) went with Choice One Jonesey (K McQuade) over 1200m in 1:18.8, 1:02.6 and 37.1. Travino (J McKay), who shaped better for third at his last start, didn't waste time over 1200m in 1:14.8, 1:01 and 36.2, while stablemates Antonio Lombardo (S McKay) and Estrato (S Collett) prepared for the local meeting with 1000m in 1:05.2 and 37.6.

Over the same ground Agent Ziva (A Jones) ran a smart 1:04.5 and 35.8, Tiger Moss (Colgan) and Irish Encore (R Jones) 1:03.5 and 36, Whosyourmaster (O'Sullivan) 1:02.4 and 36.6, Thy (Hercock) and Wolfwhistle (Misbah) 1:03 and 35.5, and Dominio (O'Sullivan) and Justintime (Colgan) 1:02.3 and 36.2.

Weekend candidate Precious Time (Hercock) was partnered by Stanica Star (Misbah) over 1200m in 1:19.2, 1:04.8 and 36.7. Ididit (B Grylls), who resumes in the open sprint on Saturday, went with Rivertaine Coup (C Grylls) over 1000m in 1:02.1 and 36.5, while Copacabana (C Grylls) and Funhouse (Wilson) ran a slick 1:01 and 35.5.

Miss Mossman (Allen) covered the same distance in 1:04.6 and 38.8, Onlyarose (A Jones) 1:06 and 36.8, and Everlong (C Ormsby) 1:09.2 and 40.5. Dragon Lair (N Waddell) went in company with Acipenser (P Turner) over 800m in 54.4 and 38.3, while Angelica Hall (Cameron) returned 53.8 and 38.8.

Silverado (S Collett) and Chazelle (Coleman) strode over 1200m in 1:18.9, 1:04.9 and 36.8, while Moneymakehersmile (M Brosnan) took 1:17.6, 1:08 and 37.5.

On the all-weather track Hero I Am (Myers) and Jimmy Hoffa (Colgan) reeled off 1000m in 1:03.6 and 36.8. Hero I Am is a trial winner in the McKay stable set to make his debut in Saturday's Listed two-year-old colts and geldings' race.

Dezignator (W Hillis) was timed from the 800m in 52.4 and 38, while Knight Wager (B Lang) ran 1000m in 1:11.3 and 40.2.