Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Stakes' winning two-year-olds Stella Di Paco and Secret Spirit looked on target for Saturday’'s Ryder Stakes when they worked pleasingly at Matamata this morning.

Galloping right-handed 18 metres out on a heavy course proper, Stella Di Paco was ridden by her raceday jockey Cameron Lammas when she and Prince Henry (Grylls) strode over 1200m in 1:26.8, picking up the tempo for a final 600m in 40.8. Stella Di Paco, who won the Castletown Stakes earlier in the winter, looks improved for her recent Ruakaka outing and will strip ready for her Otaki assignment.

Race rival Secret Spirit (Grylls) and Ruakaka-bound Twice Smitten (Umis) worked away steadily before getting into full swing, cutting out their last 800m in 54.8 and 600m in 41.2. Secret Spirit has not started since her Great Northern Foal Stakes' win in late May but she had an exhibition gallop recently and looks ready for another big effort in the final stakes race of the season.

Ryder Stakes' entries Good Lookin'’ Gal (Grylls) and De Chine (Rafi) got through their work well over 800m in 55.2 and 600m in 41, while two others from the Richardson stable, Strada Cavallo (Grylls) and Faceup (Rafi) completed a similar task in 55.5 and 42.3.

Hey Mr (Holmes) who missed a start at New Plymouth on the weekend, prepared for Sunday'’s Rotorua meeting with 800m in 54.5 and 600m in 40.8.

Miss Mossman (Coleman) was strong in her work, timed over 1200m in 1:31.2 and quickening for a final 600m in 40.6. With sparse immediate opportunities on the home front, she is booked to fly to Melbourne and will start at Caulfield on Saturday.

On the sand Eletist (Gibbs-Manssen), another to miss out with the abandonment of Saturday’'s New Plymouth meeting, looked the part in his work over 1000m in 1:08.9 and 600m in 38.2. He will run instead over 1400 metres at Rotorua on Sunday.

Bon Marche (Lammas), another entered for Rotorua, did sound work over 1000m in 1:06.7 and 39, while Arcade (S Collett) was well held over the same ground in 1:14.4 and 40.8.

Cherry Bay (Fraser-Hayes) strode over 1200m in 1:24.5, 1:08.7 and 40.5, the Red Giant from Dane Promise (Grylls) ran the same trip in 1:26.5, 1:08.9 and 38.4, and Sophisticate (Conder) returned 1:25, 1:09.8 and 41.6.

Sunbeam (A Jones) was not extended over 1000m in 1:12.9 and 42.5, and Juggernaut Rock (J Price) was timed over 1000m in 1:11.3 and 600m in 40.9. Whosyourmaster (Coleman) enjoyed his work as he stretched out the last 600m in 41.2.

On the all-weather track Antonio Lombardo (Grylls) and Oblivion (S McKay) prepared for Ruakaka with 1000m in 1:06.2 and 600m in 37.3. Stablemates Puccini (P McKay) and Brigadier (S McKay) were tidy in their work over 1000m in 1:05.6 and 37.9. Ruakaka runner Witz End (J Collett) put his usual dash into 1000m in 1:04.2 and 37. 

Pussy O’Reilly (Weatherley) was well contained over 1000m in 1:12.5 and 600m in 42.8, while Perfect Fit (Weatherley) was timed from the 800m in 55.3 and 41.7.

Credit - Dennis Ryan