Malborough Bay and Baronet shaped up encouragingly for Te Rapa on Saturday when they galloped together at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Working right-handed 22 metres out on a frosty but heavy course proper, Malborough Bay (Bosson) and Baronet (Melvin) cantered away from the winning post and gathered momentum to complete the final 600m 39.3. The Te Akau pair bring strong credentials to Saturday’s open 1300m, Malborough Bay having won in Rating 75 grade in his last start at Te Rapa and Baronet finishing second in a Rating 75 sprint at Tauranga in his most recent appearance.
Social Climber (Fawcett) also worked well in preparation for Te Rapa, timed over 1200m in 1:27.2 and finishing off with a solid 600m in 39.5. Otaki-bound stablemate Cosmopolitan had her Ryder Stakes rider Craig Grylls in the saddle when she and Te Rapa entry Lotus (Ramira) completed their work with 600m in 41.6.
Caitlins Wish (Sanson) looked well when preparing for Otaki with a final 600m in 41.2, while Te Rapa candidates Crackercol (Farr) and Ribkraka (Mullineaux) recorded 41.6 for their last 600m and Te Atatu Dream (Mool) and Sweet But Psycho (Loki) took 41.7.
Mineshaft (S Collett) and Phantom Dragon (Hashizume) completed sound work over 1200m in 1:26.6 and 41.2. Stablemates Juwala (Rastrick) and Step In Time (Nishizuka) did similar to record 1:28.4 and 39.4.
Fierce Flight (Danis) and Vickezzlastcall (Barnes) worked away steadily and finished off with 600m in 41.4. Te Aroha Sunday entries Sadhbh (Hashizume) and Lady Janie (S Collett) were not extended when completing their work with 600m in 43.4, while Inca Belle (Barnes) and Up With Ace (Turner) took 42.4 for their last 600m.
On the No. 2 sand last-start Te Rapa winner Drop Of Something (Hillis) looked ready for another bold effort in Saturday’s Taumarunui Cup when he and Brian Lamont (R Cole) ran the last 1000m of their work in 1:05.4 and 37.8.
Returning horses preparing for spring features made use of the good underfoot conditions on the No. 2 sand, among them Alabama Lass (Winter) who strolled in from the 800m in 59.8 and 42.8, Hostility (Bosson) and King’s English (C Grylls) who were given more rein to record 54.2 and 38.5, Navigator (T Harris) 59.8 and 44, and Landlock (S Collett) 57.6 and 42.5.
Legarto (Winter) was among those to stride out on the No. 1 sand, paired with Levakia (Fawcett) over 1000m in 1:08.4 and 40.5. Legarto is scheduled to run in the Group and Listed trial at Taupo on August 17, while Levakia will return to Ruakaka on Saturday week.
Wolfgang (Doyle) and Giacomo (Fawcett) appeared to enjoy their work over 1000m in 1:04.2 and 36.8, a good indication of their recent progress. Wellington Cup and St Leger winner Wolfgang has Melbourne spring plans and may resume early next month, while Giacomo might line up at Cambridge next week.
Two more from the McKay stable who had their training stepped up were Santa Catalina (Doyle) and Faultless (S McKay), cutting out 1000m in 1:03.4 and 37.2. Supremely (Turner), the Super Seth filly from former classy mare Supera, was allowed easy work over 800m in 60.8 and 44.6.