Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Several candidates for the Listed Castletown Stakes at Wanganui on Saturday got through their work well at Matamata this morning.

Galloping 25 metres out on a frosty, slow course proper, the Sargent/Allen-trained pair Stralis (C Grylls) and Swift Lady (K Myers) had first use of the track when they left 1000m behind in 1:11.2, quickening readily over the final 600m in a smart 38.5. Stralis won well at Tauranga earlier in the month, while his stablemate, a filly by O'Reilly, was a respectable fourth on debut recently.

Unbeaten filly Queen Of Navarre (S McKay) looked on target for the Wanganui juvenile feature when she and Second Bloom (R Jones) ran in from the 800m in 55.8, with the final 600m unextended in 40.8. The McKay-trained Queen Of Navarre has thrived since notching her second win at Te Aroha a fortnight ago.

Reaching Out (C Grylls) did sound solo work over 1000m in 1:09.8 and 600m in 39.8, while Deema (Sapsworth) went with Ellerslie weekend entrant Immigration (Myers) in a solid 1000m in 1:07.6 and 39.2. All Good Things (Ulucinar) partnered Sunbeam (Coleman), who also runs at Ellerslie on Saturday, over 1000m in 1:08.6 and 40.

Last start winner Vibrant Moss (Myers) looked bright in preparation for Ellerslie over 1000m in 1:09.8 and 39.2. Vettel (J McKay) was partnered by Pockets (S McKay) over 800m in 53.7 and 600m in 39.6, while Oompa (R Jones) and Our King Sway (P Turner) did similar work in 53.6 and 39.8.

Hawkish (C Ormsby) prepared for Ellerslie with 1200m in 1:23.2, 1000m in 1:07.9 and 600m in 40.2. Over the same distance Clos de Tart (Hercock) and Quintette (Misbah), who run at Ellerslie and Wanganui respectively, returned 1:24.5, 1:09.3 and 39.9. Peregrine (Sapsworth), a runner at Ellerslie on Monday, was allowed an easy time over 1200m in 1:28.7 and 600m in 43.2.

On the all-weather track Ellerslie open 1400 rivals Jubilate (Coleman) and Arnold (Sapsworth) caught the eye over 1200m in 1:17.2, 1000m in 1:03 and 600m in a smart 35.8.

Ginja Ninja (C Grylls), another of Graham Richardson's Ellerslie contingent, was partnered by unraced stablemate Deception (Sapsworth) over a dashing 1000m in 1:04 and 35.1. Liberty Heights (Leveque) and a gelding by Align (Clements) ran the same trip in 1:05.8 and 37, while Call Me Maybe (Ulucinar) and a Strategic Image gelding (Ahlen) took 1:06.9 and 36.5.

Strategus (McRae) began steadily before completing 1000m in 1:07.1 and 600m in 38.6. Atom Cat (Sapsworth) enjoyed his hitout with Abyssinian Maid (C Grylls) over 800m in 57.6 and 600m in 39.

On the sand Glitzabeel (M Brosnan) and Clio (Roff) got through sound work over 1200m in 1:19.4, with their last 1000m in 1:04.8 and 600m in 38.2. Glitzabeel ran a bold race in the Rotorua Cup and runs in the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie on the weekend.

Wanganui candidates Energizer (Allen) and Fastfoot (Roff) cut out 1000m in 1:06.7 and 38.8, while Rapid Gain (Misbah) returned 1:08.6 and 39.2.

Keep In Tune (C Grylls) and Inis Rose (Leveque) worked well in preparation for Ellerslie over 1200m in 1:19.2, 1:05.2 and 38.5. Revenge (Roff) covered the same ground in 1:21.5, 1:06.2 and 39.2, while Arabian Duke (H McQuade) was not after time over 1200m in 1:26.2 and 42.

Credit - Dennis Ryan - Picture credit - Stacey Bridgman