Matamata Tuesday Trackwork

Amarula shaped up for Saturday's Northland Breeders' Stakes when he galloped impressively at Matamata this morning.  Working on the all-weather track, Amarula (S McKay) was partnered by stablemate Al Pacino (P McKay) over 1000m in 1:05.5 and 600m in 37.6. Amarula was beaten just half a length when fourth at Hastings last week and has a Ruakaka hat-trick to recommend him for Saturday's three-year-old feature back at the northern course.

Brigadier (S McKay), another from the Peter and Jacob McKay team, also looked on target for Ruakaka when he went with stablemate Puccini (P McKay) over 1000m in 1:05.2 and 37.5. Brigadier is well up to clearing maiden grade this weekend, while Puccini has come through his Makfi Challenge Stakes run in good order.

Ilikai (Samuelsson) caught the eye when she breezed through her work over 1000m, beginning steadily to return 1:11.2 for the full distance and quickening for a smart final 600m in 36.8. The winner of two southern juvenile races last season, Ilikai is now with Te Aroha-based trainer Lisa Anderson and will resume in the Rating 65 1000-metre race at Ruakaka.  OF INTEREST - this is the 3YO full sister to the Coats Choice colt that we have only 10% now available in ....

Lucky Feather (Coleman) also drew attention to his weekend prospects when cutting out 1000m in 1:05.7 and 36.5, while Canterino (P McKay) and Antonio Lombardo (S McKay) prepared for Ruakaka with 1000m in 1:06.2 and 38.8.

Hey Mr (Lang) and Rock My Soul (Holmes), who will both race next at Hastings on Saturday week, ran a strong 1000m in 1:06.2 and 37.4.

On the course proper, which was slow with work taking place right-handed 25 metres out, Whatwedo (R Jones) and Fortune Kept (Fraser-Hayes) were timed over their last 800m in 53.8 and 600m in 40.

Snapshot (Grylls) and Brown Girl (Sapsworth) were never at top as they strode through 1200m in 1:25.6, with the final 600m in 42.6.

On the sand, Harry Claassen (A Jones) and Odin's Choice (Conder) were paired in smart work over 1000m in 1:03.4 and 36.4. Lady Quasar (K McQuade) and Underthemoonlight (A Jones) also ran time, cutting out 1200m in 1:17.5, 1:03.5 and 37.6.

Landed Gentry (R Jones) ran 1200m in 1:20.2, 1:04.8 and 37.2, Autumn (Coleman) returned 1:23.4, 1:07.2 and 38.4, and Paco Rabanne (Hutton) 1:24.6 and 42.1. Packing Chaparral (Wratten) was also well held over 1200m in 1:29.3 and 43.8.

In Style (N Waddell) enjoyed her work over 1000m in 1:09.7 and 39.8. The Railway Stakes winner is likely to resume on the second day at Hastings. Promising maiden Ultimata (Weatherley) was well held over the same distance in 1:11 and 40.3.

Babilloni (Cameron) got through 1000m in 1:08.4 and 39.2, Great Expectations (Rastrick) took 1:08.2 and 39.4, and Rose Of Virginia (Fraser-Hayes) and Lil Miss Waitoki (Leveque) returned 1:05.7 and 37.5.

Irish Encore (O'Sullivan) ran a tidy 1000m in 1:03.8 and 36.9, as did Suffire (Hutton) in 1:03.6 and 36.8, while Sir Darci (Coleman) had it easy over the same distance in 1:10.8 and 40.6, and Saoirse (Dowling) took 1:11.8 and 42. Fascinate Me (Hong) ran in from the 800m in 53.6 and 38.8.

Credit - Dennis Ryan