Mares entered for Saturday’s Gr. 2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Breeders’ Stakes shaped up well for the Pukekohe feature at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Galloping 18 metres on a heavy course proper, Tevere (Mullineaux) was paired with Reputation (Fawcett) over a strong 1000m in 1:06.4, finishing off with 600m in 38. Tevere looks improved for her first-up run at and should appreciate the step up to 1400m. Stablemate Reputation has made pleasing progress since her last-start Pukekohe win and steps up to Rating 75 grade back there on the weekend. 

Campionessa (Parmar) prepared for the Breeders’ Stakes with New Plymouth Friday entry She Turns Heads (Allen), cutting out 1000m in 1:05.3 and 37.8, which was good time later in the session. While her best form is at 1600m and further, Campionessa could run a bold 1400 while fresh.

Our Alley Cat (Cox) prepared for the Breeders’ Stakes on the No. 2 sand, where she was untroubled to reel off 1000m in 1:02.2 and 36.8. She has thrived since her Hastings win six weeks ago, but like many others, trainer Vicki Prendergast is hoping for an improvement in the weather forecast. 

Others to work on the No. 2 sand included Pukekohe entry Jakkalnuts (Farr), who strode over 1200m in 1:20.4, 1:05.5 and 39. Paisley Park (Wratten) was unextended over the last 1000m of his work in 1:07.4 and 37.8.

Back on the course proper, Trentham debut winner Savaglee (McNab) looked on target for a repeat in the juvenile stakes race at Pukekohe when he and Pendragon (Mullineaux) strode over 1000m in 1:08.4, finishing off with 600m in 39. 

Navigator (Harris) caught the eye when working with Born Ruler (Turner) over 1000m in a smart 1:06.2 and 37.6. Last-start winner Navigator is entered for Pukekohe, while Born Ruler is in at New Plymouth. Counties Bowl candidate Romancing The Moon (Allen) was travelling well at the end of 800m in 52.6 and 37.7, while Wanganui-bound Valentine (Leighton) and Accuse (Parmar) did well over 1000m in 1:05.4 and 38.3.

Arjay’s Flight (M Brosnan) looked well in his work over 1200m in 1:23.2, 1:08.8 and 39.2, while Defibrillate (Wratten) ran the same trip 1:21.8, 1:07 and 40.4, Belle of the Ball (Melvin) 1:21.5, 1:06.8 and 38.2, Amberite (Cox) 1:22.3, 1:07.8 and 39.3, Ess Vee Are (S Weatherley) and Extortion (Prastiyou) 1:21.6, 1:06.8 and 38.6, and Madam Le Fay (Mullineaux) and Key Largo (Nishizuka) 1:23.2, 1:09 and 39.2. 

Over 1000m Alabama Gold (Sanson) did well late in the session to record 1:05.2 and 37, while Channel Surfer (Kareem) and Family Ties (Arby) took 1:07.6 and 39.8, Incubo (McCall) and Devils Right Hand (Turner) 1:07.2 and 38.4, Still Bangon (Sanson) and Helly Belly (Fullilove) 1:08.2 and 39.6, Hanalei (King) and Kealoha (Wenn) 1:05.3 and 38, Diomedes (K Pertab) and Alminette (Melvin) 1:04.4 and 39, Wairau Cove (Sheehan) and Bello Mio (Kamaruddin) 1:05.8 and 37.4, and Invincibeel (Leighton) 1:06.4 and 38.5.