Little Bit Of Love looked ready to add to his picket fence formline this weekend when he galloped stylishly at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Galloping 25 metres out on the heavy course proper, Little Bit Of Love (L Singh) was accompanied by Silver Javelin (Rastrick) over 1000m in 1:07.8. The Wexford Stables pair kept up a strong gallop to complete their work with 600m in 38.6.

Little Bit Of Love has been a late season find with a hat-trick of wins at Te Rapa over the past six weeks. He faces a different scenario in his Rating 75 1600 assignment at Pukekohe on Saturday, but his condition cannot be faulted. Stablemate Silver Javelin is also in good order for Pukekohe after her last-start improver’s run for third.  

Impressive maiden winner Campaldino (Harris) was another to catch the eye as he prepared for weekend racing, hitting out strongly with Tianzi (Elliot) over 1200m in 1:24.8, the last 1000m in 1:09 and 600m in 39.8. Two more from the Cody Cole stable, Kai Moana (Elliot) and Rareza (Harris), cut out a truly run 1000m in 1:07.5 and 39.

Kind Of Blue (Nishizuka) and Naxos (Mullineaux) were well held through the early stages of 1000m in 1:14.6, quickening from the 600m in 40.3. Kind Of Blue has shaped up promisingly with third placings in her two autumn starts and heads to Wanganui for the Castletown Stakes. Naxos, who had a tough run in his most recent start, is entered for Pukekohe.

Jaffira (Rastrick) and Watergate (Mxothwa) prepared for Pukekohe with sound work over 1200m in 1:20.3, 1:06.8 and 39.6. Silk Degrees (Singh), who resumes at Matamata next week, left 1000m behind in 1:08.8 and 40.5. In similar work Reptak (Tynan) recorded 1:07.8 and 40.6, while Vantaana (Fawcett) was let off with 1000m in 1:14.6 and 40.3.

On the No. 2 sand, Wolf Rayet (Mxothwa) and Cash Treasure (Rastrick) drew attention to their Pukekohe maiden 1600 prospects with a bold 1000m hitout in 1:02.8 and 36.4. Darci’s Angel (Wratten) and Confiance (Darwood) also got through sound work, cutting out 1200m in 1:17.8, 1:02.6 and 36.5.

Others to work over ground included Grace ’N’ Glory (M Brosnan), who left 1200m behind in 1:17.2, 1:03.4 and 36.4, Squire (Tynan) 1:18.8, 1:05 and 36.9, Hayate (Parmar) 1:28.4 and 39.8, and Fly My Wey (M Brosnan), who recorded 1:21.4, 1:05.2 and 38.2.

Over 1000m Te Atatu Memphis (Osborne) took 1:05.2 and 37.6, Meisho Toot (Parmar) 1:07.6 and 36.6, Kabugee (Sheehan) and Stonybreck (Melvin) 1:07.4 and 38.6, Miss Solitaire (Tynan) 1:07.2 and 37.8, and Sybaris (Parmar) and Wish Come True (Azlan) 1:07.5 and 37.5.

Pier (S Weatherley) completed striding work with 600m in 41.2. He has made pleasing progress since his recent trial win and is set to resume at Te Aroha on Monday.