Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Matamata Breeders' Stakes candidates Strata Lady, Special Memories and Fame Seeker all worked well this morning as they prepared for Saturday's home track feature.

On a good plough Strata Lady (R Jones) was partnered by Link Road (Hong) over a smart 800m in 48.8 and hitting the line strongly after a final 600m in 36.3. Strata Lady has progressed well from her handy effort in the Karaka Million and looks well primed for the big fillies' race. Link Road has also pleased connections since his recent Te Rapa win and gets his chance on the weekend in the Reid & Harrison Slipper.

Special Memories (Hercock) was paired with Prize Lord (Olwagen) in a steady 800m, covering the distance in 54.5 and finishing off with an unextended 600m in 37.2. The Fastnet Rock filly has done everything right since her last-start win and promises a big effort on Saturday.

Fame Seeker (Lammas) and Needlly (Dowling) turned in smart work on the course proper rail, where the going was just in the dead range, cutting out 1000m in 1:01.2 and getting home over the final 600m in 35. It was very good work by the Lance Noble-trained pair. Fame Seeker, a filly by Showcasing, finished a handy fifth in her only start to date and will be entered for the Breeders' Stakes, while Needlly runs in the open sprint on Saturday.

Surpass (Coleman) and Rose Of Virginia (Dowling), rivals on Saturday in the Kaimai Stakes, did sound work 18 metres out on the course proper, where they ran their last 1200m in 1:16.9, 1000m in 1:03.5 and 600m in 36.7. Caduceus (McNab) prepared fore the weekend when paired with Sworntomylover (Tynan) over 1000m in 1:06.2 and 600m in 38.8.

On the all-weather track, Puccini (P McKay) worked in company with Oblivion (S McKay) and Al Pacino (J McKay), running their last 1000m in 1:04.2 and picking up the tempo for a final 600m in 36.2. Puccini is in good order for the Haunui Farm Classic at Otaki on Saturday.

Back on the plough, Breeders' Stakes entry Starstripe (McNab) worked well without being extended over 1000m in 1:06 and 37.2. The attractive Moroney-Ormsby-trained filly finished third on debut recently.

In-form pair Smarts Encosta (Coleman) and Irish Encore (P Holmes) worked well together over 1000m in 1:02 and 600m in 35.9, while Tomorrowland (Coleman), a rival for Irish Encore in Saturday's open sprint, ran the same distance solo in 1:03.2 and 36. Spellbinder (Cameron), who resumes in the same race, worked well with Osmunda (Hercock) over 1000m in 1:03.2 and 35.7.

Sworntoperfection (Tynan) caught they eye over 1200m in 1:18.4, 1:02.6 and 35.6, while He's Dan (Cole) ran the same trip in 1:19.4, 1:05.1 and 37.8, Massofdash (Blair) took 1:25.9, 1:10.4 and 41.3, and Chaos (M Brosnan) 1:20.8, 1:05.6 and 38.5.

Starbux (J Collett) prepared for the weekend with an unextended 1000m in 1:05.6 and 38.5, while Orange Peel (Hutton) and Irish Moon (Coleman) cut out 1000m in 1:03.4, with no sectional times possible due to fog. Equanimity (Cameron) and a Saperavi gelding (Hercock) returned 1:05.9 and 37.8, Whosyourmaster (Hong) was kept to 1:15.2 and 44.6, Duran (Lammas) and Gushed (Zac-Sayed) took 1:06 and 37.9, Skyscraper (Richards) 1:11.9 and 42.6, She's Samashing (T Johnson) and That's How We Roll (Dellow) 1:08.5 and 37.8, Costa Viva (Lammas) 1:14 and 43.7, and Saoirse (Dowling) 1:11.4 and 40.6.

On the all-weather track Irish Heartbeat (Goodwin) cut out 1000m in 1:05 and 38.2, while stablemates Lucky Feather (Goodwin) and Ali (S McKay) covered 1200m in 1:20.6 and the last 600m in 39.5.

Credit - Dennis Ryan