A number of New Zealand Derby entries preparing for their final lead-up in Saturday’s Avondale Guineas did sound work at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Galloping on the course proper, where the going was good 16 metres out, Ascend the Throne (Bosson) and What You Wish For (Colgan) worked away from the winning post and were timed from the 1200m in 1:20.4. They picked up the tempo from the 1000m in 1:06 and finished off with 600m in 37.5. The Te Akau duo appear to have come through their first and third placings in the Waikato Guineas in good order.
Fellow Derby entry Tokyo Tycoon (Bosson) was paired with Avondale Cup entry Prise De Fer (McNab) in a solidly run 1200m in 1:18.9, with the last 1000m in 1:03.8 and 600m in an impressive 36.8. Tokyo Tycoon was an encouraging fifth in the Karaka Millions 3YO and cannot be discounted on his latest trackwork.
On the plough, Wexford Stables’ Derby pair Monday Melody (Rastrick) and Mosinvader (Gaina) shaped up well as they completed their work over ground with 1200m in 1:18.2, 1:03.4 and 36.7. Stablemate The Weapon (Rastrick) prepared for the Avondale Guineas in company with Avondale Cup candidate Asterix (P Singh), cutting out their last 1200m in 1:17.8, 1:02.6 and 36.2.
Back on the course proper, Avondale Cup candidates Dark Destroyer (A Jones) and Ess Vee Are (Barnes) were paired in strong work over 1200m in 1:15.8, 1:02.6 and 37.4. Race rivals Mehzebeen (McNab) and Fierce Flight (Bosson) covered the same ground in 1:19.5, 1:05.2 and 37.6.
Ellerslie entry Harlech (Jacobsen) had the pace on throughout 1200m in 1:15.4, 1:02.2 and 35.8, while stablemates Pericles (Colgan) and Lingjun Xiongfeng (Mullineaux) were well held over 1000m in 1:08.8 and 38.9.
On the plough My Annie Belle (Turner) hit out well in preparation for Saturday’s Uncle Remus Stakes when she and unraced maiden Reimagined (Harris) covered 1000m in 1:03.6 and 36. Over the same ground Tanganyika (Tynan) and Foxglove (Sima) recorded 1:03.1 and 36.2, Star of the Sky (McNab) and Family Ties (Colgan) 1:04.5 and 36.8, Uderzo (Rastrick) 1:04.1 and 37.2, Aotea Lad (McNab) and Fashion Shoot (Colgan) 1:05.2 and 37, Star of Justice (Bosson) and Egyptian Queen (Parmar) 1:05.2 and 37.6, and Step In Time (Nishizuka) 1:09.8 and 38.6.
Amongst those to work over ground on the plough were Jolted (Turner), who wasn’t pressured to complete 1200m in 1:18.9, 1:01.6 and 36.8. Accidental Tourist (Bosson) and Treaty of Paris (Burdan) ran the same trip in 1:24.8, 1:06.4 and 37.5, while Cognito (Bosson) and Talisker (McNab) recorded 1:20.2, 1:04.5 and 37.4.
Wet ’N’ Wild (Bragg) was timed from the 800m in 51.5 and 36.5, while Unbridled Joy (McNab) and The Mighty Spar (Bosson) clocked 50.4 and 37.
On the No.1 sand Our Alley Cat (Cox), who steps up to 1500m at Ellerslie on Saturday, hit out well over 1000m in 1:07.2 and 37.8. Polly Plum (Bosson) covered the same ground in 1:08.4 and 40.2, while Wolfgang (S McKay) and Bad ’N’ Bouj (McNab) were not after time, recording 1:13.5 and 39.8.