Wanganui Guineas entry Thunderhill drew attention to his weekend prospects when he galloped impressively during a relatively quiet training session at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Working 20 metres out on the dead course proper with raceday rider Craig Grylls in the saddle, Thunderhill was paired with Suzuka (Leighton) over 1000m in 1:08.6, steady to begin with before quickening readily for a final 600m in 36.6.
Thunderhill finished second to the unbeaten Naval Anthem in his only start in July and has been kept up to the mark with a mid-August trial placing. While still a maiden, he has obvious ability and is not without a chance in Saturday’s Listed three-year-old race.
Most other fast work took place on the plough, where Wanganui juvenile candidate Bellatrix Star (Kamaruddin) also looked the part in company with her older stablemate Kith ’N’ Kin (Mullineaux) as they dashed in from the 600m in 36.2. Bellatrix Belle is a filly by Star Witness and one of several early season juvenile trial winners for Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson.
Diomedes (K Pertab) showed that he’s coming to hand well after a break as he strode over 1000m in 1:07.4 and 38.6. Winter Cup runner-up Cork (Dellow) was well held in her work over 1000m in 1:12.8 and 38.6. She has done well since returning from Riccarton and is likely to start next in the Listed 1600 at Awapuni later in September.
Alabama Gold (Loon) was keen to get into his work, recording 37.6 for his final 600m, while stablemate Helly Belly (Sanson) quickened in from the 800m in 56.8 and 41.6. Still Bang On (Sanson), another from the Stephen Autridge team, was well held over 1000m in 1:09.5 and 39.6.
Key Largo (Yuki) and Candyflip (Dellow) were timed over their last 800m in 53.9 and 38.6, while Divici Belle (Winter) and Jolted (Turner) ran the same distance in 58.2 and 41.6.
On the No. 1 sand Giacomo (S McKay) and Bad ’N’ Bouj (C Grylls) hit out well over 1000m in 1:05.8 and 37.2, while Complicate (Hillis) and Text Regrets (Bragg) were timed over their last 800m in 56.8 and 41.2.