Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Margin Trader was the star trackworker amongst New Zealand Derby candidates when he turned in an impressive solo gallop at Matamata this morning.  Ridden by co-trainer Chad Ormsby on the course proper, which was dead 12 metres out, Margin Trader set off at an even rate over ground, picking up the tempo to run his last 1200m in 1:21.9, 1000m in 1:07.1 and quickening readily for a final 600m in 37.1.  The Tavistock gelding was disappointing in his final Derby lead-up 10 days ago but he looks a happier horse with blinkers removed and will strip at peak fitness on Saturday.

Race rival Gaultier had raceday jockey Michael Coleman in the saddle when he and Capone (N Waddell) completed their work with 1000m in 1:06 and the final 600m in a smart 36.6. Gaultier's form since his Levin Classic upset has been mixed but his condition cannot be faulted.

McQueen did his Derby preparation on the sand, where he was ridden by his trainer Jim Collett in company with Massofdash (S Collett), covering 1200m in 1:18.4, 1000m in 1:05.2 and 600m in 37.8. McQueen has continued to make pleasing progress, while Massofdash looks ready for a bold effort in the Lowland Stakes at Hastings, where she will be ridden by Cameron Lammas.

Back on the courser proper, the O'Sullivan-Scott stable's Lowland pair of Suffire and Mary Quant got through solid work. Suffire (Holmes) was paired with Quintastics (Hong) over 1200m in 1:16.5, 1:03.2 and 36.7, while Mary Quant (Olwagen) tracked her stablemates over the same ground in 1:15.7, 1:03.3 and 37.

Dream Run (K Shailer), another for the Lowland Stakes, got through her work well with 1200m in 1:17.8, 1:05.1 and 36.9. Over the same ground race rival Hayley Anne (A Jones) returned 1:15.9, 1:01.6 and 37.8.

Stablemates No Tricks (Cameron) and Flaming (Hercock) prepared for Saturday's Mr Tiz Trophy with a smart gallop over 1000m in 1:02.4 and 600m in 36.7. Whosyourmaster (Coleman) ran a good trial for the Darley Plate when he cut out 1000m in 1:03.7 and 600m in 36.8.

Stablemate and race rival Pure Champion (R Jones) had an easier time over the same ground in 1:06.5 and 37.7. He has freshened up nicely for the drop back in distance.
Nathan's Memorial entry Quest (M Brosnan) set off over ground and was joined by Gardone (P Ormsby) to run 1200m in 1:20, 1:06.2 and 38.6. Ellerslie first day candidates Los Vargos (Rhodes) and Always On My Mind (R Jones) left 1000m behind in 1:05.2 and 37.1.

On the sand Mr Tiz Trophy entry Red Striker (S Collett) was travelling strongly at the end of 1000m in 1:05.6 and 37.2, while Stella's Honour (C Ormsby) prepared for the weekend with easy work over the same ground in 1:08.3 and 39.2.

Auckland Cup candidate Graphic was given striding work by his co-trainer Chad Ormsby, timed over the last 1000m in 1:16.8 and 600m in 45.2. A decision on big race riders for him and stablemate Surpass has yet to be made. Vicar's Daughter (J Collett) was let off with 1000m in 1:13.8 and 600m in 40.6.

On the all-weather track, Antonio Lombardo (P McKay), Oblivion (S Collett) and Al Pacino (S McKay) were matched up over 1000m in 1:04.2 and 36.  Lucky Feather (Goodwin) hit out strongly over 1200m in 1:16.4, 1:02.5 and 36.6. Only A Rose (A Jones) showed her usual dash when cutting out 1000m in 1: 02.3 and 35.9, while Vincent Street (Hunt) also showed dash to return 1:02.8 and 35.6.

Pussy O'Reilly (Wratten) continued her preparation for next Wednesday's Westbury Classic with 1000m in 1:06.4 and 36.2, while stablemate Fix (Wratten), who is on the same mission, ran the same distance in 1:08.2 and 39.4.

Abidewithme (Cameron) worked easily over 1000m in 1:11.3 and 41.2, Maestro (Cameron) ran in from the 800m in 53.8 and 39.4, and Angelica Hall (Cameron) completed the same task in 53.4 and 38.7.

Aotearower (Wratten), who will run next in either the Lowland Stakes on Saturday or the Sunline Vase on the second day at Ellerslie, strode over 1200m in 1:25.9, 1:10.4 and 39.8.