Harlech underlined his Ruakaka weekend prospects with sound work at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Galloping right-handed on the course proper, which was heavy with the markers set at 15 metres, Harlech (Dellow) travelled well throughout 1200m in 1:23.2, finishing off with 600m in 39.8. The Pam Gerard-trained gelding looks as bright as ever and will appreciate the anticipated better track conditions at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Likely open 1400m rival Stonybreck (Bosson) set off at a leisurely pace from the winning post and was timed over his final 600m in 38.8. Stablemate Altari (Colgan), an entry for the three-year-old 1600m at Ruakaka, followed with a final 600m in 38.6. Both Te Akau runners are in good order for their weekend assignments.

Stablemate Fierce Flight (Barnes) had pace on throughout 1200m in 1:20.6, the final 600m in 39.2. He finished fourth in his most recent start and has been kept up to the mark with hurdle trials either side of that early June race.

Permissive (Fawcett) looked bright ahead of her Ruakaka assignment when striding over 1200m in 1:24.5 and 39.4. She was disappointing at Ellerslie earlier in the month but can’t be discounted on the weekend.

Ruakaka maiden candidates Let’s Dance (Rastrick) and Tarzana (Nishizuka) cut out 1200m in 1:26 and 40.2, while stablemate Dragon Biscuit (Nishizuka) completed his work with 600m in 39.9. He looks in forward condition to resume at Ruakaka.

On the No. 2 sand, Outback Opal (M Brosnan) shaped up well with a solid 1200m in 1:18.6, the last 1000m in 1:04.4 and 600m in 37. Stablemate Fly My Wey (M Brosnan) covered the same ground in 1:19.8, 1:05.4 and 37.4. He has been below par in his last two starts but if he lines up at Ruakaka, his excellent track record has to be taken into account.

Levakia (Fawcett) and Litteral (Turner) were impressive in their work, cutting out 1000m in 1:03.8 and finishing off with a strong final 600m in 36.4. Over the same ground Evelyn Rush (S Collett) wasted no time to record 1:02.8 and 36.2, while stablemate Cool Cat (S Collett) also got through her work well to record 1:03.8 and 36.6.

Caitlyns Wish (Sanson) looked bright when timed for her last 800m in 51.4 and 37.2. Last-start winner Tregor was kept to an easy hitout by trainer Jim Collett with 1000m in 1:17.2 and 600m in 44.6.