Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Quality racemare Fix looked ready for a bold run at Te Rapa on the weekend when she worked boldly at Matamata this morning.

Fog prevented full or sectional timing of many gallops, but had cleared when Fix stepped out on the course proper, where the going was dead in the 18-metre position.

Fix (Hercock) went solo over 1000m, with the speed on from the start as she returned a very respectable 1:03.7 and 36.8 for the final 600m. The Kelso-trained mare has trained on well from her last start second as she prepares for the Listed sprint at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Stablemates Irish Moon (Coleman) and Makarska (J Collett) also looked on target for Te Rapa as they cut out 1000m in 1:02.8. They hit the line hard but no sectional time was possible.

Chambord (Lammas) and Costa Viva (Hercock) were well matched as they strode over 1200m in 1:19.1, with the last 1000m in 1:05.2 and 600m in 37.5. The Jason Bridgman-trained pair are in good order for their Riccarton second day engagements in the Coupland's Bakeries Mile and Valachi Downs Stakes.

Chazelle (J Collett) and Packing Chaparral (Coleman) did good work in preparation for Te Rapa when cutting out 1200m in 1:15.9. No other sectionals could be taken, nor in the case of Miss Mossman (Hong), who was working well at the end of 1200m in 1:21.7.

Scandinavian (Miller) and Flirty Gertey (Khalid) maintained a strong gallop over 1200m in 1:18.8, 1:05.2 and 38.5, while Full Monty (Sapsworth) and Victoryshallbemine (Rhodes) returned 1:20.2, 1:07.5 and 39.3. Prize Lad (Amit) and General Rio (Hong) covered 1200m in 1:20.3 and 1000m in 1:05.6, Rotorua Friday runners Maestro (Miller) and Clos de Tart (Khalid) took 1:25, 1:10.2 and 41.2, and Ocean Parade (J McKay) 1:19.4.

Te Rapa entries Prince Henry (Lammas) and Echezeaux (Hercock), the Encosta de Lago half-sister to Darci Brahma and Burgundy, caught the eye in their work over 1200m in 1:20.5 and 600m in 37.8. China Silk (N Waddell) and Lauberhorn (Sapsworth), juvenile candidates for Te Rapa, travelled up well at the end of 800m in 51.5.

Queens Rose (Sapsworth), who runs in the Listed sprint at Te Rapa, was paired with Alice Web Ellis (Rhodes) in sound work over 1000m in 1:12.2. Neutron Star (Rhodes) and Roman Hero (Sapsworth) were timed over 1000m in 1:07.9 and 38.6.

Gallops that could not be timed on the course proper included Tomorrowland, who runs at Te Rapa, Gautier and Wazunga.

On the all-weather track New Zealand 2000 Guineas candidate Victory Champion (Hills) was partnered by Jovan (Tynan) over 1000m in 1:06.6 and 600m in 37.8. The Emily Holmes-trained Victory Champion has thrived since his impressive maiden win at Te Rapa late last month.

De Niro (S McKay) and Kick Buttowski (P McKay) worked in good style over 800m in 49.2 and 600m in 36.4. De Niro, an O'Reilly two-year-old with wins in both trials to date, runs at Te Rapa on Saturday. Stablemate Travino (S McKay) was deceptive over 1000m in 1:01.4 and 35.5.

Rose Of Virginia (Dowling) and Always On My Mind (Leveque) strode over 1200m in 1:17.7, with the only sectional the last 1000m in 1:03.6. Pussy O'Reilly (Little) hit the line well at the end of 1000m in 1:07.3.

On the sand Te Rapa entry Maestro Tom (Coleman) looked well when paired with Bahrella (A Jones) over a smart 1000m in 1:02.2. Covered In Bay (H McQuade) was timed over 1200m in 1:18 and 1000m in 1:04.5, while Ruby Red Shoes (M Brosnan) and Arterial (Roff) cut out 1000m in 1:06.6 and 600m in 38.2.

Riccarton-bound Canterino (P McKay) was ridden along to complete his last 1000m in 1:07.8, the Captain Rio-Eloquent gelding (Hunt) ran the same distance in 1:08.2, while Wisecrack (R Jones) was timed over a solid 1200m in 1:17.6 and 800m in 48.7.

Longbeach (Miller) worked away easily from the 1200 to run that distance in 1:29.7 and quickened for a final 1000m in 1:13,5 and 600m in 38.6. Tegwin (Grylls) covered 1200m in 1:24.5 and 600m in 39.2, Villa Elba (Dowling), took 1:26.4 and 40.7, Politicalnitemare (R Jones) 1:20.2 and 39, and Rapid Gain (Miller) and Tiara (Hercock) took 1:24.6 and 1:09.5 for their last 1000m.

Brampton Loco (Coleman) was not after time over 1000m in 1:11.5 and 600m in 39.4, while Volacapri (Brick) and a Spartacus gelding (A Jones) were clocked over 800m in 52.6 and 600m in 39.4.

Credit - Dennis Ryan