Members of the Mark Brosnan team engaged at Ruakaka this weekend looked ready for another rewarding trip north when they galloped at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
On a good No. 2 sand, Grace ’N’ Glory impressed when a fair weight with her trainer in the saddle, cutting out 1200m in 1:16.8, with the last 1000m in 1:03.4 and final 600m in 36.8. The Shamexpress mare has trained on well since her win at the last Ruakaka meeting.
Stablemate Fly My Wey (M Brosnan), already the winner of two races at Ruakaka, also worked well over ground, running his last 1200m in 1:20.2, 1:05.6 and 37.8. The Master (Boyack) cut out a smart 1200m in 1:18.2, 1:03.6 and 38.2, suggesting an improved performance this weekend.
Another Brosnan-trained runner for Ruakaka, Sterling Express (M Brosnan), worked right-handed on the course proper, where the going was heavy 18 metres out. He was never after time as he strode his last 1200m in 1:30.6, finishing off with 600m in 43.8. Like his full sister Grace ’N’ Glory, Sterling Express has made good progress since winning up north on June 8.
Others to prepare for weekend engagements on the course proper included Cintivee (Mullineaux), who was travelling well alongside Mineshaft (Nishizuka) at the end of 1200m in 1:26.8, the last 600m in 38.9. Cintivee appreciated the improved track conditions when finishing second at Ruakaka earlier in the month.
Paisley Park (Wratten), who will run at Hastings on Saturday dependent on track conditions, strode out well over 1200m in 1:25.2, finishing off with 600m in 38.5. Seajetz (Prastiyou), another entered for the open 1600 at Hastings, worked well with Glenamaddy (Jadhav) over 1200m in 1:24.3 and 40.2, while Hastings jumps candidate Devoted (Allen) hit out strongly over the same ground in 1:22.1 and 39.5.
Dragon Biscuit (Nishizuka) caught the eye finishing off his work with 600m in 36.8, while in-form pair Part Time Lover (Turner) and Our Bill Bone (Harris) were timed over their last 600m in 38.2.
Back on the No. 2 sand, Thunder (Sanson) did solid work ahead of Ruakaka, cutting out 1000m in 1:03.6 and 35.8. Suited And Booted (B Grylls) also hit out strongly over 1000m in 1:02.5 and 35.4, as did Silke Degrees (J Singh) when recording 1:02.6 and 35.5.
Watergate (Rastrick) strode out well over 1200m in 1:18.8, 1:04.2 and 37.6, while Night Flyer (Tynan) was keen to go faster when cutting out 1000m in 1:06.8 and 37.2.
Classy mare Legarto (Winter) enjoyed being allowed to quicken in her work over 800m, finishing off with 600m in 44.3. She looks very well in the early stages of her spring preparation. Her two-year-old stablemate Alabama Lass (Winter) was also well held when striding in from the 600m in 47.5.