Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Puccini and Canterino prepared for weekend racing when they were paired in an impressive gallop at Matamata this morning.

During a busy session on the freshly commissioned plough, Puccini (P McKay) and Canterino (S McKay) strode over ground, with Canterino leading his stablemate at a good clip in the early stages before the pair completed 1200m in 1:15.2, with the last 1000m in 1:01.6 and 600m in 36.3. It was very good by both horses.   Puccini is scheduled to run in Saturday's Merial Mile at Awapuni, a change in plans due to uncertainty that he will make the field for next week's Windsor Park Plate. Last start Ruakaka winner Canterino will return north this weekend.

Ruakaka sprint entrant Jubilate (Coleman) got through his work well to complete 1000m in 1:01.6 and 600m in a smart 35.8. Joey Massino (S McKay) was also keen as he ran 1000m in 1:03 and 37.2, while Brandy (Cole) and Sophisticate (A Jones) left 1200m behind in 1:19.2, with their last 1000m in 1:03.4 and 600m in an impressive 36.2.

Brave Centaur (Grylls) looked in good shape for his Melbourne campaign when he covered 1200m in 1:20.2, 1000m in 1:03.6 and 600mmin 37.1. The Lance Noble-trained gelding and stablemate Viadana kick off their campaigns at Flemington on Saturday.

On the course proper, where the going was dead 22 metres out, Ruakaka candidates Dream Run (Myers) and Sworn To Perfection (Little) began steadily over 1000m to run the distance in 1:10.2 and quickened readily for a final 600m in 38.1.  High Viz (A Jones) and Maestro Tom (Coleman) had pace on throughout 1000m in 1:06.5 and 600m in 38.6. High Viz runs at Rotorua on Sunday, while Maestro Tom is preparing for Hastings on Saturday week.

Back on the plough, Rotorua entrants Secret Whisper (Allen) and Sunset Pass (Miller) strode over ground before working into a solid final 1200m in 1:18.5, 1000m in 1:04.1 and 600m in 38.3.

Alchemy's Flight (Samuelsson) and Osmunda (Roff) completed 1000m in 1:07.6 and 39.6, while Morena (Leveque) took 1:07.6 and 39.3, No Tricks (Samuelsson) and Sonsy (Hercock) 1:07.8 and 38.7, Mary Quant (Coleman) and Ambrosini (Wong) 1:09 and 39.4, Orange Peel (R Jones) 1:08.5 and 38.7, Madame Jamai (Hercock) 1:06.8 and 37.6, and Cast King (Ahmit) 1:09.3 and 40.8.

Miss Mossman (Grylls) was travelling well at the end of 1200m in 1:27.2, 1000m in 1:11.2 and 600m in 41.6. The Oaks winner's return to racing was delayed due to the heavy conditions last weekend and she will head to Hastings next weekend.

Over the same ground Augusta National (Clements) returned 1:23.2, 1:07.8 and 39.3, Abidewithme (Cameron) took 1:32.7 and 45.8, Innes Rose (Leveque) took 1:28, 1:12.6 and 43.4, and Sultry Assassin (Sapsworth) 1:30.7 and 44.3.  Capone (N Waddell) strolled in from the 1000m in 1:13.6 and 42.5. Others doing steady work over 1000m included Where It Began (Grylls) in 1:13.6 and 44, Prized Lad (Man) 1:14.5 and 44.6, Brampton Lass (Wong) 1:11.9 and 42.4, Whosyourmaster (Man) 1:14.4 and 45.2, and Bohemian Lily (Leveque) 1:14.7 and 44.5.  Smashing (Samuelsson) was timed form the 800m in 51.9 and 38, while In Style (N Waddell) breezed over her last 600m in 41.2.

Credit - Dennis Ryan