Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Makfi Challenge Stakes candidates Xanadu, Pure Champion and Pussy O'Reilly underlined their readiness for Saturday's big race with impressive work at Matamata this morning.

Xanadu was ridden by regular jockey Michael Coleman on the all-weather track, where she cantered her first round before picking up the tempo to cover 1200m in 1:17.8, 1000m in 1:02.6 and the final 600m in a slick 35.6.

It was very good work by the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare, who has taken a lot of benefit from her first-up run in the Foxbridge Plate. She will have blinkers back on this weekend.

Stablemate Pussy O'Reilly (K Jones) also worked on the all-weather, striding from the 1200m mark in 1:21.1 and quickening for a final 1000m in 1:05.5 and 600m in 36.4. She has come through her Foxbridge Plate second in good order and connections have their fingers crossed that she makes Saturday's field.

On the course proper, where the ground was slow in the 22-metre position, Pure Champion was ridden by raceday jockey Craig Grylls as he left 1000m behind in 1:03.5 and the last 600m in 37.8. The former Hong Kong galloper has continued to please trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott since his smart trial win at Taupo last week.

Hastings support race candidates Chambord (Cameron) and Spellbinder (Hercock) were also in good form on the course proper as they cut out 1200m in 1:20.6, 1000m in 1:05.1 and the final 600m in a smart 36.9.  Fancy Dress (J Wong), who may run at either Ruakaka or Hastings, was another to impress in her work over 1000m in 1:04.1 and 600m in 37.9.

Victory Dragon (C Rastrick) signalled his readiness for a return to racing at Hastings when he covered 1000m without being extended in 1:08.8 and 38.6, while promising maidens Green Jungle (K Myers) and Anuka (C Grylls) ran 1000m together in 1:07.5 and 39.2.

Over the same distance Ruakaka candidate Witz End (J Collett) took 1:06.8 and 39.7 and Agent Ziva (Coleman), who runs at Hastings, returned 1:10.5 and 40.2. I'm Isaac (A Jones) and I'll'ava'alf (Conder) did solid work over ground with their last 1200m in 1:23.4 and 600m in 42.3. Elitist (M Gibbs) and Yes (Conder) were hard held over 800m in 1:02.3 and 600m in 46.7.

On the sand, Ruakaka candidates Antonio Lombardo (S Collett) and Donny Brasco (P McKay) did sound work over 1000m in 1:02.6 and 600m in 36.4. Al Pacino (S Collett) and Jimmy Hoffa (S McKay), two other members of the strong McKay team likely to head north, did similar work in 1:02.8 and 37.6.

Sophisticate (Conder) had pace on throughout 1200m in 1:18.6, 1:04.4 and 38.9, while at a more sedate tempo Tiger Moss (J Wong) returned 1:24 and 40.8, King's Rock (Allen) 1:26.8 and 43 and Miss Mossman (Coleman) 1:31.6 and 42.5.

Costa Viva (Miller), who looks bright as she prepares for a return to the trials, was allowed 1000m in 1:11.2 and 41.3. Viadana (Dowling) was well contained over 1000m in 1:15.4 and 44.3, while Enhance (Cameron) took 1:13.3 and 41.8.

Over 800m Autumn (C Grylls) and Suffire (Man) took 52 and 37.6, Attention Seeker (J Wong) 50.8 and 36.8, and Persuasive (Hong) 1:00.8 and 44.6.

Back on the all-weather track, Royal Command (K Myers) prepared for Hastings with 1200m in 1:24.2, 1:09.8 and 38.5. Smartly (W Hillis), who may run at Hastings, was partnered by Le'Vantos (Hunt) over a sound 1000m in 1:04.2 and 36.6.

Jubilate (Sapsworth) and Android (Rhodes) left 1000m behind in 1:05.2 and 37.6, Martini Lass (W Hillis) and Vincent Street (Hunt) took 1:06.2 and 37.2, Hey Mr (K Myers) and All Good Things (C Grylls) 1:07.5 and 37.7, and Vettel (S McKay) 1:05.4 and 38.5.

Soul Sister (Coleman) was restricted to 1000m in 1:14.5 and 41.8, Lily Belle (C Grylls) ran from the 800m in 50.8 and 37.6, and Silverdale (Stacey) breezed his last 600m in 42.8.

Credit - Dennis Ryan