Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Fantastic Honour signalled her readiness for a return to racing at Wanganui this weekend with a bold gallop at Matamata this morning.

Working 18 metres out on a slow course proper with raceday rider Kelly Myers in the saddle, Fantastic Honour began several lengths behind stablemate Casual Fling (Ward) and was timed to run 1000m in 1:05.2, with the final 600m in 37.5.

The big grey filly, who has not raced since finishing second in the Karaka Million seven months ago, closed strongly over the final stages to finish alongside her companion in what was a very impressive piece of work. After a slow, steady build-up, co-trainers Paul and Kris Shailer are satisfied that Fantastic Honour is ready to kick off her spring campaign in the Fordell O'Leary Fillies' Stakes at Wanganui, with the proviso that the track provides reasonable footing.

Sir Elmo (Coleman) and Traveller (K Jones) turned in solid work for the Rating 75 stayers' event at Ellerslie on Saturday when working over ground, with their last 1200m in 1:20, 1000m in 1:05.8 and 600m in 38. Arnold (C Grylls) and Alice Web Ellis (Myers) were in good form over 1000m in 1:05.8 and 600m in 37.8.

Beauty Humour (S Wong) prepared for Te Aroha on Friday with solid work over 1200m in 1:18.2, the last 1000m in 1:04 and 600m in 37.5. Witz End (J Collett) also put plenty of zest into his work over 1200m in 1:19.2, 1:04.5 and 38.9, while Fast Foot (Forbes) ran the same trip in 1:20.4, 1:06 and 38.2.

Hot Cha (Sliz) and Kaleidoscope (O'Sullivan), starters at Taupo next Monday, cut out 1000m in 1:05.7 and 600m in 37.8. Thrive (Miller), looking bright after a short let-up, strode over 1200m in 1:21.3, with her last 1000m in 1:06.5 and 600m in 38.4. Glitzabeel (M Brosnan) left her 1200m behind in 1:22.8, 1:07.5 and 40.8.

Te Aroha entry Pearl Lustre (O'Sullivan) took 1:05.5 for 1000m, with the final 600m in 37.6. Over the same distance Taupo prospects Hardcore Rock (Cameron) and Sir Darci (Dee) returned 1:06.3 and 38.7, and Lego Figure (Chiong) and Trade Time (C Grylls) took 1:06.8 and 40.

On the sand, Smartly (Coleman) and The Muffin Man (Ulucinar) caught the eye with slick work over 1200m in 1:16.8, 1000m in 1:02.5 and 600m in 35.4.

O'Darci (Cameron) and Peerage (Dee) did tidy work over 1000m in 1:05.5 and 600m in 37.7, while Taoist Master (Hepi) and Savarhys (Roff) ran the same trip in 1:06.5 and 38.6. Danrose (M Brosnan) left 1200m behind in 1:17.7, with her last 1000m in 1:03.3 and 600m in 37.

So Elite (Hepi) and Super Mover (Roff) wasted no time over 1000m in 1:03.8 and 600m in 37.5, while A Touch Of Ruby (K Hillis) clocked 1:05.2 and 38.2, Desert Express (Swann) and La Hoya (Hepi) 1:07.5 and 38, and Calypso (B Grylls) 1:10.5 and 41.

Sunset Pass (Miller) strode over 1200m in 1:23.2, 1000m in 1:08.3 and 39.6. Carmody (O'Sullivan) covered the same ground in 1:23.8, 1:08 and 40.6, while Vitali (Turner) ran the last 1000m of his work in 1:12.2 and 600m in 42.

Easter Handicap winner Viadana (Dowling) stretched out well over 1000m in 1:12.2 and 600m in 42. Trainer Lance Noble intends running her in a trial later in the month, with the Rich Hill Taranaki Stakes at Hawera in early October her likely first start. Stablemate Annie Higgins (Dowling) was timed over 1200m in 1:28.9 and 600m in 42.5. She will also have a trial as a lead-up to resuming in the Team Wealleans Matamata Cup on October 12.

Speedy mare Trepidation (K Myers) starred on the all-weather track, where she left 1000m in 1:04.2, dashing in from the 600m in 35.2. She will be entered for Ellerslie on Saturday but a start is dependent on track conditions.

Payday (Ulucinar) and Le'Vantos (Wells) also caught the eye in preparation for the weekend as they cut out 1000m in 1:02.8 and 600m in 36.5. Viana (Cameron) and Exabelle (Dee) ran the same distance in 1:04.6 and 36.5, Pipedreams (Sapsworth) and Dynamite Girl (Wilson) took 1:04.6 and 38, King Savinsky (Dee) and Longbeach (Cameron) 1:05 and 38.2, Irish Heartbeat (Goodwin) 1:07.5 and 38.5, and Almansa (J McKay) and Jimmy Hoffa (P McKay) 1:08.2 and 37.8.

Happy Guys (Coleman), who runs at Ellerslie on Saturday, was partnered by Wisecrack (K Jones) over a sound 1200m in 1:16.8 and 600m in 38.5. Coco Chanel (B Grylls) and Ash (K Jones) ran in from the 800m in 52.8 and 600m in 38.2.

Back