A number of horses preparing for Te Rapa Friday and the second day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival caught the eye at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Most fast work took place on the plough, which again was in excellent order, and the course proper, which was soft with the markers set at 20 metres.

On the plough, Lux Libertas (C Grylls) pointed to another win at Te Rapa when she strode out boldly over 1000m in 1:03.8, picking up the tempo over the final 600m in a smart 35.8. The O’Sullivan/Scott-trained four-year-old is in a purple patch of form with wins in each of her last four starts, three of them at Te Rapa. She returns there for another Rating 75 1400 on Friday and the rise in weight and a possibly better track might not be enough to halt her.

On the course proper, Mali Ston (S Weatherley) prepared for the Arrowfield Stud Plate in company with Te Rapa candidate Ess Vee Are (D Weatherley), cutting out their last 1000m in 1:07.8 and 600m in 38.5. Mali Ston has made pleasing progress since his bold fresh-up effort in last month’s Foxbridge Plate and will enjoy the step up to 1600m on Saturday.

Promising filly Levakia (Turner) impressed when shading Bella Voce (Allen) at the end of a truly-run 1000m in 1:04.6, the last 600m in 36.9. The Proisir filly, runner-up in her two starts to date, reacted well to blinkers being fitted and will take some beating in the maiden three-year-old 1400m at Te Rapa.

Talented three-year-olds Savaglee (Parmar) and Suit Yourself (Nishizuka) didn’t match that time but finished off their 1000m hitout strongly after recording 1:08.4 and 39.6. Savaglee is in good condition for his return to Hastings for the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, while Suit Yourself looks bright ahead of Te Rapa on Friday.

Mehzebeen (Bosson) and Elegant Lady (Danis) got through their work well over 1200m in 1:20.2, 1:07 and 37.6. Both mares are coming to hand well. Te Rapa entry Martell was ridden by his trainer Jim Collett in sound work over 1000m in 1:07.2 and 38.8, while Petrucci (Bosson) did well in her solo gallop over the same ground in 1:05.8 and 38.6.

Rocababy (Fawcett) got through her work well over 1000m in 1:08.4 and 38.4, My Lips Are Sealed (Bosson) returned 1:05 and 37.2, Permissive (Kareem) 1:06.8 and 38.2, and Screamin Eagle (Olney) and Live On Air (Leighton) 1:07.2 and 38.1.

Snazzytavi (Kareem), who steps up to 1600m at Te Rapa, strode over 1200m in 1:21.8, 1:07.3 and 38. Woodville Sunday entrant Bradley (C Cole) went with The Ugly Sister (K Pertab) over 1000m in 1:07.8 and 38, while Moonwalk (Parmar) was unextended over the same ground in 1:11.5 and 41.4. Step In Time (Nishizuka) covered 1200m in 1:24.6, 1:08.3 and 38.4.

On the plough, Checkmate (Leighton) prepared for Te Rapa with a smart 1000m in 1:02.6 and 36.5, while Reptak (Rastrick) recorded 1:02.6 and 36.5. Over the same ground Part-Time Lover (C Cole) and Atmospheric (Harris) returned 1:04.2 and 36.5, Skipping (Dellow) 1:09.5 and 38, Sagunto (S McKay) 1:07.3 and 38.5, and Midnight Monarch (Sanson) 1:10.2 and 39.6.

Channel Surfer (Kareem) looked bright in his work over 1200m in 1:24.5, 1:08.1 and 39.4. Still Bangon (Sanson) finished off her work over 1000m in 1:06 with a final 600m in 36.7.

Dragon Leap (C Grylls), who is coming to hand well, strolled over 1000m in 1:12.2 and 42.6. Mapalicious (C Cole) and Latrelle (Harris) were also well-contained through 1000m in 1:15.6 and 40.8, as were Kai Moana (C Grylls) in 1:13 and 40.2 and Chante Moi (Kareem) in 1:15.3 and 43.8.

On the No. 1 sand Wolfgang (P McKay) and Rocky Marciano (S McKay) looked in good form for Hastings as they cut out 1000m in 1:02.2 and 35.8. Suited And Booted (Hillis) ran the same trip in 1:04.2 and 37.