Legarto and Paisley Park prepared for Saturday’s Team Wealleans Matamata Cup with impressive work at the centre on Tuesday morning.
Galloping against the course proper rail on Heavy8 ground, Legarto (Turner) was paired with possible race rival Belle of the Ball (Kamaruddin) worked away from the 1200m mark, running the distance in 1:16.4 and building as they went for a final 1000m in 1:01.8 and 600m in 35.7. Legarto shaded her companion at the line, but it was still very good work by both horses.
In similar work Paisley Park (C Grylls) looked in good order to defend his Matamata Cup title when working against the rail over 1200m in 1:18.6, with the last 1000m in 1:04 and 600m in 36.2.
All other course proper work took place out wide, where I Choose You (Leighton) caught the eye over 1000m in 1:09.8, the last 600m in 39.6. She is forward for her resuming run in Saturday’s Rating 75 1200m.
In-form weekend runners Strathtay (Farr) and Fabulous Gal (Kumagai) worked well over 1000m in 1:08.9 and 40.2, as did Amberite (Cox) when shading Our Alley Cat (Prendergast) at the end of 1000m in 1:11.9 and 41.6.
Loch Katrine (Newman) and Tears Of Victory (Sanson) prepared for Saturday’s three-year-old 1400m with 1000m in 1:10.2 and 41, while race rival Tulsi (S Weatherley) was never at top when she and Breckon Power (D Weatherley) covered the same ground in 1:13.2 and 42.4.
Seajetz (King) and Zantabulous (Leighton) left 1200m behind in 1:25.6, 1:09.5 and 40.4, while Grace ’N’ Glory (M Brosnan) clocked 1:26.4, 1:09.4 and 41.8, and Soprano Supreme (Burdan) and Family Ties (Mullineaux) took 1:21.7, 1:10.5 and 40.8.
Poser (Prastiyou) and Diomedes (K Pertab) were timed over 1000m in 1:10.8 and 40.5, Helly Belly (L Singh) and Stylish Red (Sanson) recorded 1:10.6 and 40.5, Sans Doute (Allen) 1:12.2 and 41, Incubo (T Harris) and Watch Me Move (Prastiyou) 1:08.6 and 39.4, and Lingjun Hero (D Singh) 1:11 and 41.2.
Skew Wiff (Melvin), who makes her Melbourne debut at Flemington on Saturday, was unextended over 1000m in 1:13.4 and 42, while Bonny Lass (C Grylls) was also well held in 1:15.5 and 40.2.
Hawera two-year-old entry Cognoscenti (Kamaruddin) was partnered by On The Bubbles (Burdan) over a soundly-run 800m in 52 and 38.4.