Leading Livamol Classic candidates Waitak, Legarto and Quintessa confirmed their fitness for Saturday’s weight-for-age feature when completing final serious work at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
After further rain the course proper was saturated, yet despite the adverse conditions the connections of all three were satisfied with their charges’ preparations.
Quintessa and Legarto had their respective raceday jockeys Opie Bosson and Vinnie Colgan on board when they galloped together on the inside strip with the rail out 4.5 metres. Staying together from the start of their 2000m workout, they were timed over the last 1200m in 1:23.4, 1000m in 1:08.1 and the final 600m in 39.5. Both mares appeared comfortable at the finish and look fit for the step up to 2040m at Ellerslie.
All other course proper work took place between the markers set at 20 metres, where the footing was even more testing. Waitak (P Singh) wasn’t extended to complete 1200m in 1:30.5, with the last 1000m in 1:15.1 and 600m in 42.8. The last-start Howden Mile winner also looks ready for his weekend assignment.
Queen’s Evidence (Bosson) prepared for Saturday’s Soliloquy Stakes in company with Ellerslie maiden entry Avantaggia (C Grylls) over 1000m in 1:12.5 and 41.8, which was sound work in the conditions. Loch Katrine (Parmar) did every bit as well over the same distance in 1:11.6 and 41.6, appearing to handle the ground better than most. On that work she’s a lightweight threat in the Matamata Cup
Bradley (Harris) wore blinkers when he prepared for Matamata on Friday over 1000m in 1:14.6 and 42.4, while Bulgari (S Weatherley) and Amusement (Parvee) got through similar work to return 1:14.2 and 42.2.
Promising maiden Acer (Tynan) caught the eye in her work over 1000m in 1:11.8 and 40.8. Amongst those to work over ground, Family Ties (Duric) and Vickezzlastcall (Danis) were timed from the 1200m in 1:32.8, 1:16.7 and 44.8, Outback Opal (M Brosnan) took 1:31.2, 1:15.8 and 42.8, Island Life (Ramsay) 1:31.5, 1:14.5 and 44.8, and Guipago (M Brosnan) 1:31.2, 1:14.3 and 44.2.
Ellerslie entries Sixth Generation (J Collett) and Scolera (M Jones) were timed from the 800m in 1:00.5 and 43.6, while Ellerslie entry Fosse (Ritchie) left 1000m behind in 1:14.6 and 44.2 and Captain Roy (Farr) completed his work with 600m in 42.5.
Due to poor light a number of gallops could not be timed, among them Matamata Cup entry Rareza (Harris), who completed her work in good style, and Livid Sky (Fawcett), who did not appear to be comfortable in the conditions.
A number of gallops took place on Monday morning when the plough was available, including Matamata Cup entry My Lips Are Sealed (Bosson) who strode over 1200m in 1:25.2 and 40.5 and Carsolio (Bosson), who was timed over 800m in 51.2 and 36.9.
On the course proper, Sassy Lass (Tynan) prepared for the Matamata Cup with 1200m in 1:27.6 and 42.4. Also over ground, Sweet But Psycho (Farr) was timed over her last 1200m in 1:29.4 and 43.5, Te Atatu Dream (Farr) 1:28.6 and 42.6, Crackercol (L Singh) 1:28.5 and 42.6, and Te Atatu Memphis (Farr) 1:29.6 and 43.
Leading Soliloquy Stakes candidate Lollapalooza (Fawcett) galloped on Wednesday morning, partnered by Ellerslie maiden entry Fleeting Star (Romero) against the rail on the heavy course proper, where they completed 1000m in 1:06.2 and completed their work with 600m in a very respectable 38.4. The Richardson/Norvall-trained filly is thriving as she continues her NZ 1000 Guineas preparation.