Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Talented galloper Forefront looked ready for a return to racing this weekend when he galloped stylishly at Matamata this morning.

Working 18 metres out on a dead course proper, Forefront (Myers) tracked his stablemate Sworntoperfection (Ward) over 1000 metres to complete the distance in 1:08.5 and his final 600m in a respectable 37.4. Sworntoperfection was timed over the same ground in 1:10.8 and 39.2, with the pair finishing on terms.

The Paul and Kris Shailer-trained Forefront won both his starts as a three-year-old last season and after a recent trial looks in good order to try for a hat-trick in the R74 sprint at Awapuni on Saturday. Sworntoperfection, the winner of two from a handful of starts, will also resume at Awapuni, with the R65 1400 her target.

Imperial Miss (Cameron) and Gunsmoke (Dee) - both pictured - prepared for Ruakaka on Saturday with a sound gallop over 1200m in 1:18.9, the last 1000m in 1:04.6 and 600m in 37.7. Awapuni runner Tiger Moss (O'Sullivan) was partnered by Whiskey Bolero (R Jones) over 1000m in 1:05.4 and 600m in 37.8. 

On the all-weather track Antonio Lombardo (B Grylls) and Donny Brasco (P McKay) drew attention to their Ruakaka prospects with a slick 1000m in 1:01.7 and 600m in 36.2. Starguru (J McKay) and Ravello (P McKay), two more with likely Ruakaka engagements, did similar work with 1000m in 1:01.8 and 36.6.

Poppas Delight (W Hillis) left 1000m behind in 1:02.8 and 36.7, while stablemate Pretty Good Excuse (K Hillis) ran the same distance in 1:02.6 and 36.9. Go Paddy (McRae), who will return to Hastings next week, was allowed to stride over the last 1200m of his work in 1:27.2, with his last 1000m in 1:11 and 600m in 40.2. He has come through his Hastings first day win in pleasing order.

Bounding (K Jones) also looked bright after her first-up Taupo win when she was well held over 1000m in 1:08.1 and 600m in 38.8. She is making good progress towards the Gold Trail Stakes on Saturday week.

Lifeline Express (Myers) completed 1000m in 1:10.3 and 600m in 37.6, Altai Rose (P Turner) ran the same distance in 1:09.2 and 40.4, while Quest (K Jones) was restricted to 1:15.2 and 43.2. Fille du Roi (Myers) was timed from the 800m in 53.2 and the 600 in 38.2. Pussy O'Reilly (B Grylls) covered the same ground in 57.2 and 42.5.

On the sand, Schrodingers Cat (K Hillis) and Ekraarstatic (Abel), likely candidates for Avondale next Monday, were not chasing time but still worked soundly over 1000m in 1:09.3, with their last 600m in 40.4. Total Response (C Ormsby) ran the same trip in 1:08.7 and 38.6, while stablemate The Lions Rule (Waddell) returned 1:06.2 and 37.6.

Mosh Pit (Sapsworth) strode over 1200m in 1:24.9, 1000m in 1:09.5 and 600m in 40.8. Xalted (Waddell) did similar work in 1:24.5, 1:08.7 and 39.5.

Our Essence (Wilson) took 1:09.5 for 1000m and 41.4 for her last 600m. Queen's Rose (Chiong) and Rivertaine Coup (C Grylls) were kept to 1:14 and 43.8 over 1000m, while Twist Of Fate (R Jones) took 1:15.2 and 44. Just Polly (C Ormsby) and Ocean Wise (Waddell) ran in from the 800m in 52.8, with their final 600m in 37.2.

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