Fog again made timing difficult at Matamata on Tuesday morning, however a number of horses with weekend engagements still impressed with the way they got through their work.
Galloping 20 metres out on the soft course proper, My Annie Belle (Turner) was in good form ahead of Ellerslie on Saturday, cutting out 1000m in 1:05.8 and hitting the line full of running. The Kelso-trained mare won well at her last start and was kept up to the mark with a trial last week.
Stablemate Jolted (Turner) also shaped up well for Ellerslie in solo work over 1200m in 1:20.8, with the last 1000m in 1:06.2 and 800m in 54.6. Jolted finished fourth in her campaign opener at Ellerslie last month and has made good progress since.
Pericles (Colgan) prepared for Ellerslie in company with Sonoran (Parmar) over 1200m in 1:21.8 and 1000m in 1:06.6. Pericles looks sharp after his fresh-up second to Luberon at Ellerslie last month. Arby (D Weatherley) hit out well over 1200m in 1:24.8, looking fitter for his two recent starts.
Ellerslie entries Confiance (Wratten) and Permissive (Fawcett) hit out well over 1000m in 1:07.4, while in similar work Litteral (Winter) and Hankee Alpha (Leighton) recorded 1:07.6, and Family Ties (Allen) and Caravella (Miller) returned 1:09.2.
Otaki juvenile entry Cool Aza Rene (Danis) was paired with Ocean Miss (Allen) over 800m in 1:04.8 and quickening from the 600m without being timed. Others to gallop without being timed included Mehzebeen (Danis) and Can’t Kach Me (Miller), who strode out well over ground. Mehzebeen heads south on Sunday for the Waverley Cup.
On the No. 2 sand before the fog came in, Kai Moana (C Cole) and Tianzi (Turner) finished their work well over 1000m in 1:06.6 and 6000m in 36.8. Ellerslie entry Fly My Wey (M Brosnan) strode over 1200m in 1:24.2, the last 1000m in 1:08.5.