Leading New Zealand 1000 Guineas candidates Alabama Lass and Captured By Love signed off their preparations for the Riccarton classis with pleasing work at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
On the outside of the soft course proper, Alabama Lass (Turner) was well held over 1000m in 1:13.6, quickening slightly for a final 600m in 41.5. She had her final serious hitout on Saturday and has done everything to the satisfaction of trainers Ken and Bev Kelso.
Captured By Love (Bosson) was paired with Wild Night (Pinn) in stronger work, striding out well over 1000m in 1:09.4 and 38.6. Captured By Love, who finished third on heavy ground in the Sarten Memorial a fortnight ago, is very bright, while Wild Night has also trained on well from his last-start win and will now head to Te Akau’s Cranbourne stable with his likely first target next week’s Ballarat Cup.
Alabama Lass and Captured By Love will follow the same routine as last weekend’s New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Savaglee on a Wednesday charter flight from Auckland to Christchurch.
Mali Ston (Pavee) went with Arby (D Weatherley) over 1000m in 1:10.2 and 40.4. Mali Ston was much better in his most recent start when fourth at Tauranga and returns there this weekend for the Tauranga Stakes.
Harlech (Nishizuka) looked in good shape ahead of the open 1400m at Tauranga as he cut out 1200m in 1:22.4, the last 1000m in 1:07 and 600m in 38.6.
Sailing Away (Pinn) and Rule Of Law (Sheehan) caught the eye over the same ground in 1:21.4, 1:06.8 and 37.4, while Stoneybreck (Bosson) also hit out boldly over 1000m in 1:06.8 and 38.6.
Bradley (Turner) and Evelyn Rush (Harris) did sound work over 1000m in 1:07.2 and 39.8, as did Francee (Bosson) and Inca Belle (Pinn) to record 1:07.1 and 39.2.
Tauranga entries Prosegur (Tynan) and Darci’s Angel (Beemud) hit out well over 1000m in 1:08.2 and 39.6. Over the same ground Egyptian Queen (Bosson) returned 1:07.5 and 39.6, Giacomo (Parmar) took 1:08.6 and 40.5, and Phantom Dragon (Nishizuka) and Commanding Aspect (Dellow) 1:07.2 and 39.8.
Renegade Rebel (Miller), who heads to Woodville on Sunday, was partnered by The Prophet (Turner) over 1000m in 1:07.6 and 39.2. Renaissance (Pinn) and Porcia Catonis (Sheehan) were timed from the 800m in 52 and 38.5.
On the No. 1 sand Sagunto (P McKay) looked as bright as ever when he finished off his work with a dashing 600m in 36.2. He is likely to run in the Tauranga Stakes. Another for Tauranga, I’munstoppable (Tynan), got through smart work on the No. 2 sand with 1000m in 1:03.5 and 36.9.