Riccarton Trackwork Update

Riccarton Park track work highlights - Tuesday 7 November -

Conditions were chilly but dry for this morning's session where both the plough and the big trial grass were open for fast work. Fast times were recorded on both surfaces with the grass being on the firm side of a Good3.

The Brian Court trained Director (Alton) galloped impressively alone on the plough when timed from the 1000m in 1.01.3 and getting to the line strongly from the 600m in 33.7. Director should prove hard to beat in Saturday's R65 over 1600m Stablemate Upperhand (Burnett) carried a little more weight but also worked well in preparation for 2000 Guineas when galloping solo from the 1000m in 1.01.1, the last 600m in 35.0.

Te Akau Racing's 2000 Guineas aspirants Age of Fire (Newman) and Embellish (Miller) galloped together in preparation for the big race and they impressed from the 1000m on the plough in 1.01.4, coming home the final 600m in 34.2 with Age of Fire with a lighter weight a length to the good of his stablemate at the finish. Stablemate Imperium (Miller) went solo over the same journey in 1.03.4 and 35.8 while Avantage (Newman) was given a far easier task over 800m in 59.9 in preparation for Saturday week's Welcome Stakes.

Grazia (Miller) showed she will be hard to beat on Saturday when she went alone on the plough over 1000m in 1.05.7, the last 600m in 37.2 with plenty in reserve. Margarita Mover (Rae) hinted she would also be hard to beat on Saturday when galloping solo on the plough over 1000m in 1.01.4, the last 600m in 35.3. Another Guineas prospect in Scott Base impressed when it was far too good for an unnamed I'm Invincible three-year-old over 1000m on the plough in 1.03.7, the final 600m in 34.7.

Best times on the grass were dominated by Pitman trained horses with the standout gallop from Gloss (Wynne) and Nowhere Man (Gundowry) who galloped together from the 1000m in 1.01.5, the last 600m in a slick 33.4. Gloss has certainly improved since her last start second. Two more to impress were Lucky Edie (Shaikh) and Prince Ransom (Gundowry) who were paired together over 1000m which took 1.01.8, the last 600m in 35.5.

Flying Ibis (Moore) and Kinagat (Shaikh) went together on the grass over 1000m in 1.04.1, getting to the end of the gallop strongly on par over the final 600m in 34.9. Barabas (Moore) and Saronic Miss (Shaikh) did similar work together over the same journey in 1.04.6 and 35.3. Mr Typhon (Moore) and Enzo's Lad (Shaikh) were timed from the 800m in 47.6 and from the 600m in 35.3, finishing on terms.

I'LLav Bubbles (Cameron) and Shocktillyoudrop (Olwagen) from the Carston stable went together on the grass over 800m in 49.3. Other stablemates Red River Rock and Hannah Marene were paired together on the plough over 1000m in 1.05.6, the final 600m in 35.8. Twoznotenough (Bebey) did similar work on the grass with an unknown companion by going 1000m in 1.04.8, the final 600m in 35.5. Cobblerstothestars was alone from the 800m in 49.4 and from the 600m in 37.2.

Who Dares Wins (Prendergast) and Vantaa (Young) galloped together on the grass over 1000m in 1.04.0, the final 600m in 36.5. No Emotion (Shaikh) went from the 1400m and picked up Night Nurse (Moore) at the 1200m - they were timed from the 1000m together in 1.03.9, the final 600m in 37.0.

Wesley Hall (Gundowry) and Savason went on the grass together over 1200m in 1.15.1, the first 600m in 36.1 and the final 600m in 39.0. O'Kiwi (Gundowry) caught the eye when alone over 1000m he recorded 1.01.4, the last 600m in 35.3.

Batman (Bevan) went alone from the 1000m in 1.08.2, upping the tempo for the final 600m in 36.0. Anzac Coup (Shaikh) and Pinup Coup (Hong) did their best work when paired over 1000m on the grass in 1.02.6, the last 600m in 34.6. Coup Dreamwood (Shaikh) and an unnamed three-year-old by Al Maher did similar work when for the same journey they recorded 1.02.7 and 35.9. So Brazen (Shaikh) was a length to the good of Mira (Hong) over 800m in 48.8, the final 600m in 35.3.

Bonaparte and Qaintrelle worked strongly together but were not timed. Pinsharp (Young) went easy over 800m in 55.9. Scooby galloped with an unknown companion over 600m in 36.1. Smile (Shaikh) and Mahana (Hong) went together over 800m in 48.0, the last 600m in 35.0. Others on the grass included an unnamed Swiss Ace three-year-old and unnamed O'Reilly from the Pitman stable who were timed together over 600m in 35.2, the final 400m in 23.0.

Czechoslovakia (Moore) and Jamie (Shaikh) scorched over 800m late in the session in 46.5, the last 600m 33.8. Thunder Bay (Hong) went alone over 600m in 36.3. Pilau Penang (Shaikh) was timed over 800m in 48.5 and 400m in 24.9. Savvy Coup (Moore) and Montoya Star (Shaikh) showed their fitness by covering 1000m in only 1.01.5, the last 600m in 34.2.

Others on the plough and another Court trained galloper to impress was Producer (Burnett) who went over 800m in 48.4, the last 400m in 22.5. Kolonel Kev (Rae) and Shoot To Kill (Thistoll) went together over 1000m in 1.04.5, the last 600m in 37.2. Savannah Gem (Bevan) and L'Affaire (Bennet) went over 800m on the plough together in 53.7. Ticky Tu (Robertson) did similar work recording 54.3. Hot Fuss (Robertson) was hardly urgent from the 1200m on the plough in 1.29.6.

Lily Grecia (Speedie) worked well on the plough over 1000m in 1.01.4, the last 600m in 34.2 and she looks ready to run well in the R65 1200m on Saturday. Minerva (Taylor) is also on the improve, recording 1000m in 1.04.9, the last 600m in 36.2. Disruption (Speedie) was timed over 1000m in 1.03.6, the last 600m in 37.0. Dressed To Kill (Olwagen) went over 600m in 39.7. Lindis Pass (Searle) went her 1000m on the plough in 1.02.2, the last 600m in 37.0. An unnamed Highly Recommended filly from the Ross Beckett stable breezed up 400m on the plough in 23.00.

Credit - Brian de Lore