Arrowfield Stud Plate favourite Legarto stood out amongst horses preparing for Saturday’s Hastings feature at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

After significant rain over recent days, most fast work took place on the course proper, where the going was heavy 16 metres out.

Legarto (Turner) worked with race rival Campionessa (Bosson) over 1200m, which they covered in 1:21.8, with the last 1000m in 1:05 and 600m in 37.8. While not enjoying the heavy conditions, Legarto still had the edge on her gallop mate and looks in capital order for the weekend.

Stablemates Pier (S Weatherley) and Mali Ston (D Weatherley) also had early use of the track when paired over 1000m in 1:09 and were still well held over the final 600m in 39.8. Rezeki (Mullineaux) prepared for the Hawke’s Bay Guineas in company with Te Rapa Friday runner Pericles (Fawcett) over 1000m in 1:09.7 and 38.9.

Magawa (Rastrick) and Te Atatu Dream (Tynan) drew attention to their Te Rapa prospects with sound work over 1000m in 1:07.3 and 38.5. Last-start winner Reputation (Fawcett) looked on target for Hastings when she and Jakkalnuts (Farr) strode over 1000m in 1:10.8 and 40.2. Te Rapa entry Jakkalnuts won her last start at Riccarton during Grand National week and is back at Wexford Stables to co-ordinate her spring breeding plans.

Channel Surfer (Kareem) and To Catch A Thief (C Grylls) worked well ahead of their respective Hastings and Te Rapa engagements, cutting out 1000m in 1:08.6 and 39.8. Over the same ground Thunder (Turner) and Still Bangon (Sanson) returned 1:10.7 and 39.6, Cognito (Kamaruddin) and Find Memories (Leighton) 1:085 and 38.1, Iffshecan (C Grylls) 1:08.9 and 38.5, Petrucci (Parmar) 1:08.6 and 38.3, and Midnight Monarch (Sanson) 1:08.2 and 40.4.

Divici Belle (Winter) and Paul David (T Harris) left 1000m behind in 1:08.5, finishing off strongly with a final 600m in 37.8. Our Alley Cat (Cox) wasn’t extended over 1000m in 1:10.9 and 40.5, while those kept to a steadier rate included Highlighter (Farr) in 1:12.4 and 41.8, Extortion (C Grylls) 1:13.6 and 40.2, and Defibrillate (Wratten) 1:14.6 and 43.4.

Brando (Bosson) was well held when striding over 1200m in 1:24.5 and 600m in 39.4. Stablemate Prise De Fer (Bosson), who will likewise run at Te Rapa on Friday, got through similar work without being timed.