Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

TV3 New Zealand Derby prospects Spellbinder, King Savinsky and Habitual Offender enhanced their weekend prospects with sound work at Matamata this morning.

On a good plough Spellbinder (Cameron) and King Savinsky (Hercock) were well matched as they set off from the 2000-metre mark, picking up the tempo to run their last 1200m in 1:16.6, 1000m in 1:02.2 and 600m in 35.9. It was excellent work by the Jason Bridgman-trained pair, who will strip fit for the classic after a similarly impressive gallop on Saturday morning.

While not recording as fast a time, Habitual Offender (C Ormsby) also looked ready for his Derby assignment when he shaded Valdivia (C Grylls) at the end of 1200m in 1:18.8, with the last 1000m in 1:04 and 600m in 36.2. Habitual Offender, who will be ridden by Leith Innes on Saturday, has trained on well from his last start Ellerslie win. Valdivia remains on the borderline in the Derby starting order.

The Fire Inside (C Ormsby), the third Derby entry from the Moroney-Ormsby team, was let off with striding work over 1200m in 1:25, 1:09.3 and 39.2. Derby favourite Puccini looked bright when doing light exercise, with his final serious work scheduled for Wednesday.

Dubai Shuffle (M Gibbs) and Full Monty (Sapsworth) prepared for the opening day of Auckland Cup week with 1200m in 1:18.5, 1000m in 1:03.8 and 600m in 36.9. Quest (K Jones) was not after time over 1200m in 1:28.8, 1:11.1 and 39.6. Her performance in the Nathans Memorial on Saturday will decide whether she backs up in the Auckland Cup.

Miss Mossman (B Grylls), a runner in the Lowland Stakes at Hastings on Saturday, left 1200m behind in 1:24.8, 1:08.4 and 38.9. Stanica Star (Hercock), another for Hastings, did sound work with Ellerslie entry Sir Darci (Cameron) over 1200m in 1:18.3, 1:02.8 and 36.

Angelica Hall (Cameron) and Abidewithme (Hercock) worked impressively in preparation for feature racing later in Cup week as they cut out 1200m in 1:14.5, 1:00.4 and 35.2. Ellerslie first day entrants Pipedreams (C Grylls) and Wairaka (Sapsworth) left 1200m behind in 1:19.2, 1:04.4 and 37.8.

Needlly (Dowling), who will run in the Westbury Classic next Wednesday, was kept to 1200m in 1:27.6, with the last 1000m in 1:10.4 and 600m in 40. Over the same ground Pussy O'Reilly (B Grylls) took 1:27, 1:11.3 and 42.4, Tuscania (Wright) 1:26.5, 1:09.3 and 39.8, Estelle (Colgan) 1:30.8 and 44.2, Destroyer (B Grylls) 1:30.7 and 45.5, and Super Thunder (Wright) 1:24.9 and 41.

Buckwild (C Ormsby) and Trendsetter (B Grylls) did good work together over 1000m in 1:07.6 and 37.5, Bronte Lass (Cameron) ran the same trip in 1:07.5 and 37.8, Augusta National (Leveque) and Rose Of Virginia (Dowling) took 1:07.8 and 39.5, In Flight (Leveque) was kept to 1:13 and 41.9, while Urban Angel (Misbah) ran her last 600m in 35.5.

On the all-weather track Ellerslie first day candidate Jimmy Hoffa (P McKay) ran the last 1000m of his work in 1:04.6 and 600m in 38.4.

Hastings entrant Elroi (P Shailer) and Hot Rod (K Shailer), who runs in the Sunline Vase at Ellerslie next week, were not after time over 1000m in 1:11.5 and 37.5. Kick Buttowski (S McKay) and Vettel (Colgan) were timed from the 800m in 54.7 and 41.2.

Credit - Dennis Ryan - Photo credit - Stacey Bridgman