Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

On the all-weather track Antonio Lombardo (S McKay) was partnered by Canterino (P McKay) over a smart 1000m in 1:02.8, finishing off with 600m in 36.1. The Pins gelding may be close to his seventh birthday but he looks as bright as ever to kick off a new campaign in the open sprint at Ruakaka, where he has shown such good form in the past. Stablemate Canterino, also a multiple winner on the track, heads north for a fresh-up run in the R75 1400.

Others to shape well for Ruakaka included Vincent Street (K Jones) and Letmego (Hillis), who left 1000m behind in 1:02.3 and 36, while two others from the Hillis-Kesner team, Labels (K Jones) and Phoebe (Snow), cut out the same trip in 1:02.6 and 36.5.

Ultimata (Wratten) and Zadiffra (Luke) were not chasing time over 1000m in 1:05.8 and 37.8, and Dahl’s Delight (P Brosnan) and Suggest Gold (Miles) hit the line strongly in 1:12.6 and 39.2. Valante (S Collett) and Amarula (S McKay) were timed over their last 600m in 38.7.

Anuka (Sapsworth) went solo over 1000m in 1:11.4 and 41, In Memory Of (Holmes) took 1:11.8 and 41.3, Pinstripe (K Jones) and a Lucky Unicorn gelding (Brown) 1:11.4 and 40.2, and Masu (Dowling) 1:14.2 and 43.

On the course proper, where the going was heavy 25 metres out and work took place right-handed, Jubilate (Sapsworth) shaped up well for Awapuni when working with Kanali (Singh) 1200m in 1:26.2 and 600m in 40.9. Jubilate runs in the open 1500 on the weekend, when he will be ridden by in-form claimer Anna Jones.

She’s Elusive (Hutton) and Twice Smitten (Hong) prepared for Ruakaka with 800m in 53.4 and 600m in 41.9, while two others heading north, Makarska (Coleman) and Trevita (Fraser-Hayes), went well over the same ground in 52.3 and 41.3.

The Last Shower (E Rika) and Flavigny (Schistl) strode over 1200m in 1:25.7 and 600m in 41.8.

Opulent (Lammas) and Sir Darci (Hercock) set off over ground at a steady rate to run 1200m in 1:29, quickening for their last 600m in 40.7. Unknown Pleasures (C Ormsby) completed striding work with 600m in 40.9.

On the sand, Southern Icon (Tait) looked sharp for Ruakaka when dashing through the last 800m of his work in 48.2 and 600m in 35.9. He was a winner at Ruakaka this time last year and didn’t have a lot of luck in his most recent start there.

Jehanne (Dowling) strode over 1200m in 1:27.6, with her last 1000m in 11.4 and 600m in 40.2. Roseanne Spirit (Conder) and the El Hermano-Golan’s Lass gelding (A Jones) shaped up well over 1000m in 1:07.5 and 38.6.

Stunner (N Waddell) was unextended over 1000m in 1:11.8 and 41.8, while Tavis Star (Hercock), who runs at Te Teko next week, had an easy time over the same ground in 1:15.3 and 43.8. Reaching Out (Dellow) was well held over her last 800m in 1:00.5 and 600m in 43.8.

Over 1000m Bordeaux (Lammas) returned 1:13.2 and 43.3 and Miss Chief (Roff) took 1:14.8 and 41.6, while Prince Henry (Lammas) ran in from the 600m in 43.8. 

Credit - Dennis Ryan