Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Avondale Guineas candidates Margin Trader, McQueen and Gaultier got through their work well at Matamata this morning as they prepared for Saturday's all-important New Zealand Derby lead-up.

Galloping on a good plough and ridden by co-trainer Chad Ormsby, Margin Trader was partnered by Graphic (Grylls) in solid work over ground, recording 1:16.9 for the last 1200m, 1:02.1 for 1000m and 35.4 for the final 600m. Margin Trader hit the line strongly as he edged ahead of his workmate over the final stages, giving the impression he is ready for a big effort in Saturday's Ellerslie feature.

Race rival McQueen had his trainer Jim Collett in the saddle as he and stablemate Massofdash (S Collett) strode over ground, cutting out 1200m in 1:16.9, 1000m in 1:02.8 and 600m in 36.8. They hit the line hard and took until the end of the back straight to pull up. McQueen has trained on well from his unlucky fourth in the Waikato Guineas, while Massofdash will be chasing a hat-trick this weekend in the three-year-old fillies' feature at New Plymouth.

Gaultier (Coleman) worked solo and was timed over 1200m in 1:21.8, 1:05.2 and 36.5, flattening out well when asked to quicken over the final stages. He appears to have come through his luckless Waikato Guineas run in good order.

Sound Proposition (Coleman) also went by himself, gradually building momentum with 1200m in 1:23, 1000m in 1:04.3 and the last 600m in 37.3. He will be an interesting runner in his step up to top three-year-old company.

Yet another Avondale Guineas entry, Rockfast (Miller), was let off with striding work over 1200m in 1:29.8 and 44.3, having run time in smart work last Friday.

Silk Chardonnay (A Jones), a lightweight prospect for Saturday's Avondale Cup, got through solid work when cutting out her last 1200m in 1:13.5, 1000m in 1:01 and 600m in 37.2. Dubai Shuffle (Grylls), another vying for a start in the Avondale Cup, looked bright in his work over the same ground in 1:16.6, 1:01.9 and 35.7.

Jubilate (Rika) and Storm Bro (Rhodes) caught the eye over 1200m in 1:16.6, 1:02.2 and 36.4, while Marcelle (R Jones) and High Viz (A Jones) prepared for Te Aroha on Friday with 1200m in 1:16.2, 1:01.9 and 36.5. Beauty Ace (Grylls), another for Te Aroha, was paired with Gisborne entrant Odin's Choice (A Jones) for a smart 1000m in 1:02 and 35.8.

Silverdale was ridden by trainer Stephen Autridge as he prepared for the Taranaki Cup with1200m in 1:23.2, 1:07.5 and 39. He looks bright and can turn his form around on Saturday.

Purcentage (Grylls) drew attention to her Ellerslie prospects when leaving 1000m behind in 1:06.5 and 38, while Bahrella (A Jones) and Panella (Grant) covered 1200m in a smart 1:15.6, 1:01.2 and 36. Beauty Giant (Dowling) was well contained over the same ground in 1:27.6, 1:10.2 and 39.9, Nolawood (Roff) and Sharp Shooter (Grant) took 1:19.2, 1:03.7 and 36.2, Ali (Cole) 1:23.6, 1:08.5 and 40.2,  Wraithorth (Leveque) 1:22.2, 1:07.6 and 39.6, and Moneymakehersmile (R Jones) 1:19.6, 1:04.3 and 37.2.

Tiara Concerto (Rika) and Ratmansky (Rhodes) covered 1000m in 1:06.6 and 38.7, Light Up A Screen (S Collett) took 1:06.2 and 37.8, Smartly (Hillis) 1:05.6 and 38.8, Agent Ziva (A Jones) 1:09.8 and 41.2, Saoirse (Fraser-Hayes) 1:06.2, 38.8; Unsurpassed (Cameron) 1:16.6, 44.2.

Centre Stage (R Jones) left 1200m behind in 1:24.2, 1:07.9 and 38.8, while Sacred Trust (Rika) and Speedy Jax (Rhodes) took 1:22.6, 1:07.4 and 39.4. Sherpa (Retter) ran in from the 800m in 49.6 and 35.8, Taaxman (Gillies) ran the same trip in 56.8 and 42.2, and Darci's Dream (Cameron) returned 56.5 and 41.2.

Credit - Dennis Ryan