Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Hero I Am and Beckham looked ready to take their last start winning form to Awapuni on the weekend when they worked stylishly at Matamata this morning.

On the all-weather track, Hero I Am (C Grylls) and Beckham (J McKay) had pace on from the start of their 1000-metre gallop, cutting out the distance in 1:02.2 and hitting the line strongly with a final 600m in 36. The McKay-trained pair have done everything right since their home track wins a fortnight ago and promise big efforts at Awapuni, where Hero I Am contests the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes and Beckham the Rating 65 1200.

On a good plough another last start winner heading for the Awapuni two-year-old feature, Twice Smitten (Myers), was well held in company with Pardon Moi (Roff) over 1000m in 1:10.2, picking up the tempo for a final 600m in 39.5. Angelica Hall (Miller main picture), who runs in the three-year-old 1400 at Awapuni, went with Ellerslie weekend candidate Wolfwhistle over 800m in 51.1 and 600m in a tidy 36.5.

Irish Encore (Hutton) and Kaleidoscope (O'Sullivan) were paired in smart work over 1000m in 1:01.4 and 36.2, while Ellerslie maiden candidate Aladdin (J Collett) caught the eye over 1200m in 1:15.2, 1000m in 1:01 and 600m in 35.8.

Funhouse (Sapsworth) and Villas (B Grylls) drew attention to their Ellerslie prospects with 1000m in 1:02.5 and 36.2. Makarska (Coleman) and Pussy O'Reilly (B Grylls) cut out 1200m in 1:17.4, 1:01.8 and 35.7 as they prepared for their respective engagements at Ellerslie and Awapuni.

Sir Darci (Misbah) turned in a good trial for the Manawatu Classic when he and Osmunda (Miller) covered 1200m in 1:1:20.5, 1:05 and 36.7. Race rival Ekraarstatic (C Grylls) also impressed over 1200m in 1:17, 1:02.2 and 36.3. She has trained on well from her last start win.

Postnthyme (C Ormsby) prepared for Pukekohe on Friday with 1200m in 1:17.7, 1:04 and 37.3. Over the same distance Kinda Leica (H McQuade) returned 1:23.2, 1:07.8 and 39.2, Fiftyshadesofgrey (K Jones) 1:26.4, 1:11 and 40.2, Volcano (Dowling) and Needlly (Leveque) 1:20.2, 1:04.7 and 37.6, Ira Bean (McRae) 1:20.6, 1:05.1 and 37, and Quest (K Jones) 1:24.7, 1:08.6 and 39.4.

Vettel (J McKay) and Almansa (S McKay) were paired in sound work over 1000m in 1:03.3 and 36.8, while Justintime (Coleman) and Cass King (Wong) cut out the same trip in a slick 1:02.2 and 35.9. Hi Viz (A Jones) was in good form for Pukekohe as she strode over 1200m in 1:17.5, 1:02 and 36.2, and Jordanian Prince (R Jones) clocked a smart 1:15.2 and 35.8.

Rose Of Virginia (Leveque) and Augusta National (Dowling) were strong over 1200m in 1:15.8 and 1000m in 1:01.4, with fog preventing any further sectionals. Stoneleigh (K Hillis) and Four Baronesses (Brown) covered 1200m in 1:21.2 and 1000m in 1:06.7, and Hearts In The Sky (K McQuade) took 1:28.2 and 1:11.6.

Speedy Jacks (C Grylls) cut out 1000m in 1:04.6 and 37.8, Ribbony Rose (Brick) was keen early before recording 1:02.2 and 38.2, Mary Quant (O'Sullivan) and De Kensington Oval (Man) took 1:07.2 and 37, and In Flight (R Jones) and Morena (Dowling) 1:03.5 and 37.2.

Bounding (K Jones), who will gallop between races at Matamata next Wednesday as she prepares for Sydney, worked away steadily to run 1000m in 1:14.8, breezing home in 41.3.

On the all-weather track, Ellerslie candidate Wisecrack (K Jones) was timed over his last 1000m in 1:05.2. Thunder Zeus (M Gibbs) ran the last 1000m of his work in 1:10 and 41.7.

Credit - Dennis Ryan