Sterling Express looked on target for Saturday’s Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate when he galloped soundly in testing conditions at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
After further rain overnight as well as during the session, the course proper 20 metres out could not have been heavier.
Working right-handed, Sterling Express had his Foxbridge Plate rider Masa Hashizume aboard when he and stablemate Guipago (M Brosnan) strode over 1000m in 1:14.8, finishing off with 600m in 43.5. Sterling Express, who has been kept on the fresh side since winning at Ruakaka in late June, has strong wet-track statistics as well as being a past winner at Te Rapa.
Later in the session, fellow Foxbridge Plate entry Rocababy (Romero) wasn’t after time as she left 1000m behind in 1:15.6 and 45.2. She looks bright and fitter for her recent resuming run.
Navigator (T Harris), who continues to make good progress towards the Proisir Plate, impressed in his work with smart three-year-old Landlock (S Collett), finishing off with 600m in 41.8. Landlock is also scheduled to kick off at Ellerslie on September 6 in the Sir Colin Meads Trophy.
Te Atatu Memphis (Farr) was given a testing workout over ground in preparation for Saturday’s Rating 65 2400m, timed over the last 1200m in 1:30.6 and 600m in 44. Te Rapa entry Top Shelf (Bosson) and Hawera hurdle candidate Fierce Flight (Danis) also worked over ground, with their last 1200m in 1:30.2 and 600m in 43.8.
Tregor (J Collett) looked fit ahead of the open 2100m at Te Rapa when timed over 1000m in 1:15.5 and 43.6, while Crackercol (L Singh) and Gippsy God (Mool) cut out their last 600m in a respectable 42.3, and Jaffira (Mullineaux) and Sweet But Psycho (Tynan) did similar work with 600m in in 43.
Old Bill Bone (McCall) and Carajillo (Butler) cut out the last 600m of their work in 42.2, stablemates Cheerio (Harris) and Savvysuper (S Collett) returned 42.2, and Te Rapa entry Lady Grey (Fawcett) took 45.2.
Triple Threat (K Pertab) and Overtaking (Parmar) looked to be coming to hand well when they finished their work with 600m in 41.8. Papparazzi (Rastrick) was timed over his last 600m in 44.5, while fellow Te Rapa entry Sadhbh (Reid) followed in 45.3.
Dashing (C Grylls) and Wild West (Hashizume) prepared for Te Rapa with a final 600m in 44.5, while Lotus (Romero) and Curzon Park (Holliday) took 44.6 and Renovation (C Grylls) and Rushaura (L Pertab) 43.4.