Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Foxbridge Plate candidates were the centre of attention at Matamata this morning, where conditions were very testing after heavy overnight rain.

Viadana and Spellbinder, ridden by their respective big race jockeys Craig Grylls and Matt Cameron, were the first to work on the course proper, were the going was heavy 16 metres out. The pair of quality mares were evenly matched over 1000m in 1:10.6, with the final 600m completed in 39.6 as they hit the line well on the bridle.

Xanadu was ridden by Michael Coleman in similar work, striding to the line at the end of 1000m in 1:10.3 and 39.4, while her stablemate Pussy O'Reilly (K Jones) completed the same task in 1:09.5 and 39.3. The Kelso stable's third likely Foxbridge Plate candidate Fix will be reserved until track conditions improve.

The O'Sullivan-Scott-trained Foxbridge Plate pair Whosyourmaster and Pure Champion worked solo at a solid tempo, with Whosyourmaster (C Grylls) cutting out 1000m in 1:07.5 and 38.9, and Pure Champion (Man) tracking up several lengths behind in 1:07.6 and 38.5.

Brave Centaur (K Myers), the remaining candidate from the centre heading to Saturday's Te Rapa feature, was timed over 1200m in 1:24.2, with his last 1000m in 1:08 and 600m in 39.2.

Others contesting Te Rapa support races to catch the eye included Prospero (Hercock) and All Decked Out (Cameron), who worked away steadily before completing 1200m in 1:25.7, with the last 1000m in 1:10 and 600m in 39.8.

Wairaka (Sapsworth) and Peregrine (K Myers) prepared for the weekend with 1200m in 1:24.7, 1:10.2 and 41.5, while Unknown Pleasures (C Ormsby) covered the same ground in 1:26.5, 1:10.9 and 40.4.

Neutron Star (Sapsworth) worked well with blinkers fitted, shading Tegwin (Man) at the end of a smart 1000m in 1:07.4 and 600m in 38.9. Te Rapa runners Rivertaine Coup (C Grylls) and Kanali ((Sapsworth) were not after time as they worked later in the session over 1200m in 1:24.5, 1:12.2 and 42, while Fast 'N' Gorgeous (C Grylls) and Abyssinian Maid (Sapsworth) prepared for Avondale on Friday over 1200m in 1:26.2, 1:12.4 and 42.5.

On the sand, which was loose, Puccini (P McKay) was paired in solid work with Te Rapa candidate Vettel (S McKay) over a solid 1000m in 1:03.4 and 600m in 36.6. Vettel has trained on well form his brave Ruakaka win, while his high profile stablemate will continue his spring preparation with an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa.

Ribbony Rose (Cole) put plenty of dash into her work over 1200m in 1:22.8, 1:06.3 and 37.4, while Swansong (Dowling) and Marcelle (Leveque) left 1000m behind in 1:05.4 and 38.2.

Over the same ground Yes (M Gibbs) and Iffitel (Cole) returned 1:11.8, quickening readily from the 600m in 37.5, while Howzat (Leveque) and Bohemian Lily (Dowling) took 1:06.2 and 39.2, Shamal (C Grylls) 1:10.9 and 37.8, and Orange Peel (C Grylls) 1:13.6 and 41.6.

Over 800m Southern Comet (Tait) did smart work in 50.8 and 37.2, Dreamer (Samuelsson) took 55.7 and 41.3, Rockfast (Miller) and Bordeaux (Allen) 58.9 and 42.8, and La Adelita (Allen) 56.8 and 41.2.

On the all-weather track Douro (Sapsworth) and Sacred Trust (C Grylls) cut out 1000m in 1:07.8 and 39, while All Good Things (C Rastrick) and Hey Mister (L Rastrick) completed two rounds of striding work with 1000m in 1:13.2 and 41.6.

Credit - Dennis Ryan