DHL Counties Cup entries Annie Higgins, Thrive, Wisecrack and Back In Black all shaped up well when getting through their work at Matamata this morning.
On a good plough, Annie Higgins (Dowling) was partnered by Natsinga (Leveque) in a solid gallop over ground, timed to run their last 1200m in 1:19.2, 1000m in 1:04.4 and 600m in 37.4. Annie Higgins has had a good build-up to her first summer cup target and will be at peak fitness for Saturday’s Pukekohe feature.
Thrive (K Myers) looked well when hitting out boldly over ground, with her last 1200m in 1:18.9, 1000m in 1:04.7 and 600m in 36.7. Any rain would boost her Counties Cup prospects.
Wisecrack (K Jones) did his work on the all-weather track, where he rolled into the second round and ran his last 1200m in 1:18.4, 1000m in 1:03.8 and 600m in 37.1. He has made good progress in his recent racing. Back In Black (McRae) was not after time in striding work, timed from the 1200m in 1:23.2, 1:08.3 and 38.6.
Also on the all-weather track, Auckland Breeders’ Stakes candidate Pussy O’Reilly (B Grylls) shaped up well in company with Zankuro (K Jones), cutting out 1200m in 1:17, 1000m in 1:02.8 and 600m in 36.4. Zankuro runs in the open 1600 at Pukekohe.
Promising juvenile Douro (C Grylls) looked the part in his work with an Align gelding (M Gibbs), running in from the 800m in 48.5 and 600m in 36.2. Douro runs in the Murdoch Newell Stakes at Pukekohe. Quest (K Jones) got through 1200m in 1:20.8, 1:05.4 and 38.2, while Irish Moon (Coleman) took 1:08.4 and 39.3 over 1000m.
Back on the plough, Sequin (Coleman), who has reverted to her original name after racing last season as Huffer, was partnered in brilliant work by fellow Pukekohe entry Living The Dream (Cheung) over 1000m in 1:00.5 and 600m in 35.7.
Rose Of Virginia (Dowling) and Needlly (C Grylls) prepared for Pukekohe with a slick 1200m in 1:15.3, 1000m in 1:01.4 and 600m in 36.3. Awapuni weekend entry Hardcore Rock (Hercock) and Longbeach (Cameron) were paired in attractive work over 1200m in 1:18.8, 1:02.8 and 36.2.
Queen’s Rose (Sapsworth) and Arnold (Wratten) prepared for Pukekohe over 1200m in a smart 1:16.7, 1:02 and 36.5, while Taaxman (R Jones) and Stoneleigh (K Hillis) cut out 1000m in 1:03.5 and 37.2. Sophia’s Dream (O’Sullivan) was in good form as she prepared for Pukekohe with 1000m in 1:00.4 and 35.8.
Suspicious Mind (Samuelsson) and Unknown Pleasure (C Ormsby) began steadily over 1000 and ran the trip in 1:06.2, quickening for a final 600m in 36.2. Over the same ground Irish Encore (C Grylls) clocked 1:04.8 and 36.9 in preparation for Thursday’s local meeting, Ella Grace (Burton) and Yes (Swann) 1:01.8 and 36.5, Only A Rose (A Jones) 1:05.2 and 37, and Ekraarstatic (Brown) 1:05.7 and 38.3.
Everlong (C Ormsby) shaped up for Matamata with 1200m in 1:21.4, 1:05 and 36.4, while Always On My Mind (S Wong) returned 1:21.8, 1:06.2 and 39, Vitali (C Grylls) 1:20.4, 1:05.2 and 37, Giardini (O’Sullivan) 1:21.2, 1:05.8 and 37.8, and Umizoomi (Donnelly) 1:19.7, 1:03.5 and 36.2.
Mulan Miss (K Myers) and Exabelle (Dee) were in good form over 1200m in 1:19.7, 1:04.5 and 36.7. Liberare (P Ormsby) covered the same ground in 1:19.4, 1:04.2 and 37, Yin Yang Master (Allen) 1:21, 1:05.2 and 37.4, Lookatmepins (S Wong) 1:20.7, 1:05 and 37.2, and Prospero (Cameron) 1:23.4, 1:08.2 and 39.4.
Other plough gallops: 1200m: Xalted (P Ormsby) 1:23, 1:08.6, 40.9; Opt (Coleman) and Hidden Secret (Blair) 1:24.7, 1:07.5, 36.7; Made My Point (Roff) 1:26.2, 1:10.4, 41.5; Tegwin (K Jones) 1:24.4, 1:08.2, 40.5; Tiger Moss (O’Sullivan) 1:26.4, 1:09.6, 39.7; Savarhys (R Jones) 1:19.9, 1:04.4, 37; Rivertaine Coup (C Grylls) and Alice Web Ellis (Cheung) 1:23.4, 1:07.2, 41; Ronan (M Brosnan) 1:18.8, 1:02.4, 37; King’s Fortune (Leveque) and Can’t Hassle Me (S Wong) 1:22.7, 1:07.5, 40; Miss Directional (C Grylls) 1:22.7, 1:07.5, 39.4.
1000m: My Mestari (Forbes) 1:07.3, 40.4; Secret Jewel (J Collett) 1:05.2, 38.5; Mr Mendelssohn (H McQuade) and Choice One Jonesy (K McQuade) 1:08.9, 39.5.
800m: Billie Jean King (Goodwin) and Peria Princess (Holmquist) 54.8, 39.9.