Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Silverdale highlighted his Rotorua Cup prospects with an impressive gallop at Matamata this morning.

Ridden by his raceday jockey Craig Grylls, Silverdale and stablemate Ekraarstatic (Brown) worked over 2000 metres on the sand, with the pace on for the last 1200m in 1:15.2, 1000m in 1:00.7 and the final 600m in an exceptional 35.5.

Silverdale hit the line full of running, underlining his fitness for Saturday's $70,000 feature. Ekraarstatic, who has been withdrawn from next week's Karaka Mixed Bloodstock Sale, is also in good order for her weekend engagement at New Plymouth.

Two others from the Stephen Autridge barn, Trousseau (K Hillis) and Babilloni (Brown), also looked in good shape for the weekend when hitting out strongly over 1200m in 1:18.5, 1:02.8 and 36.2. Rotorua entry Cass King (J Wong) and Dilly (C Grylls), who runs at New Plymouth, worked soundly over 1000m in 1:03.5 and 37, while Revenge (Allen) and Energizer (Roff) prepared for New Plymouth with 1200m in 1:18.5, 1:03.8 and 36.6.

Dezignator (Ulucinar) hit out well over 1000m in 1:04.2 and 600m in 37.2, and Political Nitemare (R Jones) covered the same ground in 1:06 and 38.3.

On the course proper, where the going was at the high end of slow, Pussy O'Reilly (B Grylls) hit the line strongly after running the final 600m of her gallop in 37.5. No other time was possible due to poor light, but even allowing she had early use of the track, the work left no doubts that Pussy O'Reilly is in excellent order for the Rotorua Stakes.

Race rival Ididit (C Grylls) was partnered by possible New Plymouth runner Ginja Ninja (Sapsworth) over 1200m in 1:21.7, with the last 1000m in 1:07.4 and 600m in 39.4. Kaleidoscope (Coleman) and Irish Encore (Mann) were doing their work well at the end of 1200m in 1:26.2 and 1000m in 1:07.2. Little Miss Waitoki (R Jones) and Lookatmepins (C Grylls) were also strong at the line but could not be timed.

Rapid Gain (Cameron) and Flirty Gertey (Hercock) prepared for the weekend with a well held 1000m in 1:11.2 and 40.4, while stablemates Enhance (Cameron) and Clos de Tat (Hercock) did similar work in 1:12.4 and 41.2.

Arabian Duke (K McQuade) and Impatient Dreams (S Collett) were well matched as they prepared for New Plymouth over 1200m in 1:22.5, 1:08.3 and 40.4. Over the same ground Rivertaine Coup (C Grylls) was bold in company with Kansas (Wratten) when returning 1:22.5, 1:08.3 and 42.

Rotorua candidates Peregrine (Sapsworth) and Immigration (K Myers) were timed over the same ground in 1:22.4, 1:07.9 and 40.3. Smoke (J Brosnan) continued his preparation for upcoming steeplechase assignments when he worked against the rail in the 9.5m position, with his last 1000m in 1:12.2 and the final 600m boldly in 40.2.

Back on the sand, New Plymouth entry Fastfoot (R Jones) began steadily to run 1200m in 1:22.4, quickening over the last 1000m in 1:05.8 and 600 in 38.6. Da Shindig (Coleman) also worked well for Rotorua with 1200m in 1:18.8, 1:03.5 and 37.

Vincent Street (Ulucinar) left 1000m behind in 1:07.4 and 39.2, Moneymakehersmile (M Brosnan) took 1:07.5 and 39, Hawkish (Coleman) 1:11.2 and 40.4, De Kensington Oval (Mann) and Barranquilla (J Wong) 1:10.5 and 40.2, and Golden Glow (Samuelsson) 1:13.8 and 43.

Credit - Dennis Ryan