Unbeaten three-year-old Lupo Solitario looked in the right order to complete a hat-trick in Saturday’s Sarten Memorial when he galloped pleasingly at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
On the No. 1 sand, Lupo Solitario had raceday rider Ryan Elliot in the saddle when he and Monza (Sanson) strode over 1000m in 1:04.8 and hit the line without being extended for a final 600m in 37.8.
Lupo Solitario has done everything right since winning at Tauranga last month and while his latest work wasn’t the quickest of the session, it was typical of the Danica Guy-trained gelding’s style. Stablemate Monza also worked well in preparation for the open 1400m at Te Rapa.
What You Wish For (Colgan), runner-up to Lupo Solitario at Tauranga and a rival again at Te Rapa, worked on the plough, where he and Trentham candidate Fashion Shoot (Bosson) cut out a smart 1000m in 1:02.2 and 36.2.
Another Sarten Memorial entry to catch the eye on the plough was Monday Melody (Rastrick), who was paired with fellow Te Rapa candidate Strathtay (Farr) over 1000m in 1:03 and 36.5. Monday Melody has made good progress since his impressive maiden win at Te Rapa.
To Catch A Thief (C Grylls) also did good work ahead of the Sarten Memorial, cutting out a solo 1000m in 1:03.3 and 36.4. He looks improved from his fresh-up third late last month. Kai (Allen) and Accidental Tourist (Colgan) put in sharp work ahead of Te Rapa when reeling off 1000m in 1:01.4 and 36.
Paul David (Turner) and Rosie Brahma (M Cameron) completed 1000m in 1:04.2 and 36.5, while Magawi (Farr) and Fabulous Girl (Kumagai) ran the same trip in 1:03.4 and 36.9, Thunder (Turner) and Helly Belly (Sanson) 1:03.8 and 36.4, and Iffshecan (C Grylls) 1:03.8 and 36.4.
In Extasy (Cameron) looked bright in her hitout over 1000m, well-held early for a time of 1:06.6 and extending for a final 600m in 35.4. Alabama Gold (Lammas) shaped up well ahead of resuming at Te Rapa on the weekend when working over 1000m in 1:04.4 and 36.5. Prise De Fer (Bosson) was well contained over 1000m in 1:06.8 and 38.8.
Over ground on the plough, the Melbourne-bound pair Soprano Supreme (Leighton) and Beau Geste (Mullineaux) were timed from the 1200m in 1:18.4, 1:02.6 and 36.8. Latrelle (Elliot) was more contained over 1200m in 1:23.8, 1:07.6 and 38.8.
Back on the No. 1 sand, Incubo (Elliot) prepared for Te Rapa over 1000m with Tianzi (Cameron) in 1:04.6 and 37. Oneira (Cameron) and Bridgerton (Turner) cut out a smart 1000m in 1:01.8 and 36.2, while La Verite (Elliot) was timed from the 600m in 36.
On the course proper, where the going was soft 28 metres out, Te Rapa entry Harlech (Colgan) was paired with Lingjun Xiong Feng (Lammas) over a well-run 1200m in 1:20.6, 1:05.2 and 37.7. Trentham two-year-old candidate Savaglee (Parmar) went with Dragon Blossom (Lammas) over 800m in 54.4 and 38.5.