Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Sir Elmo flagged his prospects for New Plymouth on Saturday with a sound gallop at Matamata this morning.  Most work on the course proper took place right-handed, with the going heavy and the markers at 23 metres.

Sir Elmo (A Jones) set off at a steady rate from the winning post and completed 1200m in 1:27.2, quickening as he strode up the back straight for a final 600m in 40.6. The Karen Fursdon-trained gelding has only battled in recent starts but looks bright and could bounce back at New Plymouth, where he has raced well before.

Queens Rose (Sapsworth) had the measure of Living The Dream (C Grylls) at the end of solid work, with the final 600m taking 39.7. The talented mare returns this weekend to Ellerslie, where she was an impressive fresh-up winner last month.

Prize Lad (Hong) and Tiger Moss (Wong) covered 1000m in 1:08.5 and 600m in 40.8 as they prepared for their respective engagements at Te Aroha on Friday and Ellerslie. Silk Chardonnay (Coleman) worked over ground left-handed, with her last 1200m taking 1:24.2, 1:10.2 and 42. She runs in the Rating 75 2400 at Ellerslie.

Back right-handed, Imagunakepa (M Gibbs) and Tomorrowland (C Grylls) returned 40.2 for their final 600m. Tomorrowland, who showed plenty in his first preparation, is making good progress towards a return to racing at either Te Rapa or Hastings next week.
Saoirse (R Jones) and Jehanne (C Grylls) were timed over their last 800m in 52.9 and 600m in 39.4, while Lookatmepins (Dowing) and Galvanised (Leveque) completed similar work in 39.8.

On the all-weather track, the Gary Hennessy-trained pair Whatwedo (S McKay) and Tiger Temple (Tamihana) prepared for New Plymouth with a smart 1000m in 1:01.6 and 600m in 36.8. Rating 65 1200 candidate was a bold fresh-up second earlier in the month, while Tiger Prawn three-year-old Tiger Temple has shown promise with a win and second in his two trials.  Vermeer (Sapsworth) looked sharp for Te Aroha on Friday when working with Nectacolecta (Rhodes) over 1000m in 1:04.2 and 37.4.

On the sand, last start maiden graduate Packing Chaparral (Coleman) wore blinkers when he strode through the last 1200m of his work in 1:23.5, 1000m in 1:08.9 and 600m in 40.2. He is likely to return to Te Rapa on Friday week.

I'm Isaac (A Jones) prepared over ground for his steeplechase engagement on National Jumps Day at Te Rapa on Sunday, cutting out the last 1200m in 1:24.2 and 600m in 40.3.

Costa Viva (Lammas) left 1000m behind in 1:08.2 and 39.3, Tegwin (Olgwen) ran the same trip in 1:08.7 and 600m in 41.8, while Makarska (K Jones) and Prince Of Patch (Coleman) took 1:11.2 and 41.4.

Abidewithme (Cameron) was well held over 1200m in 1:29.5 and 42.6, and Persuasive (Coleman) ran her last 1000m in 1:14.8 and 43.6.

Credit - Dennis Ryan