Dark Destroyer hinted at a return to form when he galloped impressively at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Working solo on the plough, Dark Destroyer (S Weatherley) worked away over ground and was timed from the 1200m mark, cutting out the distance in 1:22.4, the last 1000m in 1:05.6 and finishing off with a final 600m in 36.5. It was very good work by the Darryn and Briar Weatherley-trained gelding, who has been off the winner’s list for a long time but looks improved by his two runs to date this preparation and deserves consideration in Saturday’s Wanganui Cup.
Electric Zou looked ready a bold effort at Ellerslie on Saturday when his trainer Jim Collett let him stride over 1000m in 1:03.8, keeping up a solid tempo with a final 600m in 36.2. Hankee Alpha (Tynan) and Dashing Dixie (Farr) also shaped up well for Ellerslie with strong work from the 800m in 50.8 and 600m in 36.5. Hankee Alpha has returned from a long break with some smart trial form and two-year-old Dashing Dixie has been placed in both her spring trials.
Marokopa Falls (Hassman) and Drops Of Gold (Bosson) shaped up well over 1000m in 1:05.2, the last 600m in 36.5. Marokopa Falls wasn’t helped by a wide draw at her last start and is subject to improvement in Saturday’s Wanganui fillies’ feature, while her unraced stablemate Drops Of Gold has looked the part at the trials.
Te Akau juveniles Kinnaird (Bosson) and First Light (Pinn) got through 800m well in 52.6 and 37.8. Both have shaped up well with two trials apiece.
Landlock (Harris) was very bright in his work over 1000m in 1:05.2 and 37. Not much has gone his way this campaign but a trial win last week was encouraging and he gets the chance to bounce back in the Bonecrusher Stakes at Pukekohe next week. Stablemates Power Of Three (S Collett) and Bow Hill (Turner) were paired in solid work over 1000m in 1:04.8 and 37.4.
Sonoran (Prendergast) prepared for Ellerslie with a strong hitout over ground, the last 1200m in 1:19.6, 1:03.8 and 37. Also over ground, Fly My Wey (M Brosnan) was timed from the 1200m in 1:25.2, 1:07.6 and 39.6, The Nomad (Bragg) and Savvysuper (Turner) returned 1:21.8, 1:06.1 and 38.6, Pretty As Sin (Paswan) and Offline (Romero) 1:21.4, 1:06.2 and 38.6, and Vendabelle (Winter) 1:28.4, 1:11.7 and 41.8.
Mosinvader (Farr) and O’Hello (Mullineaux) looked on target for Ellerslie when they cut out 1000m in 1:04.5 and 37.2, Talisker (Bosson) and High Roller (Berge) ran the same trip in 1:04.8 and 36.9, and Rebel Creek (Paswan) and Cosmopolitan (Romero) took 1:06.8 and 39.5.
Others sent 1000m included Ellerslie entry Inside Out (S Weatherley), who was paired with Chahoo (Parvee) in 1:06.6 and 37.2, Kabugee (Pinn) and Woman In Charge (Bosson) 1:05.2 and 37.4, and Malmaison (Amit) 1:06.4 and 36.8.
On the course proper, where the ground was good 20 metres out, Sadhbh (Reid) prepared for Ellerslie with Vougeot (Dellow) over 1200m in 1:21.4, the last 1000m in 1:06.9 and 600m in 38.8. Sadbhb was disappointing in her last start a month ago but appears to have freshened up well.
On the No. 1 sand, Los Santos (S Collett) looked sharp for the weekend when paired with Rocky Marciano (Parmar) over 1000m in 1:02.8 and 36. Stablemate Santa Catalina (S McKay) prepared for Ellerslie with striding work over two rounds, quickening from the 600m in 37.2.