Legarto looked on target for Saturday’s Thorndon Mile when she galloped impressively at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Working on the No. 1 sand with raceday rider Ryan Elliot in the saddle, Legarto was paired with Levakia (Fawcett) as they limbered up on the first round and then increased tempo to record 1:19.1 from the 1200m. The Kelso stablemates recorded 1:05.4 for their last 1000m and 38.2 for the final 600m.
While the Thorndon Mile is serving as a lead-up to next month’s 2000m Herbie Dyke Stakes, Legarto should be suited by 1600m around the roomy Trentham track and she is the early favourite on the TAB’s fixed odds market. Levakia, an entry for Pukekohe on Sunday, doesn’t have to improve much on her last-start second at Tauranga.
Karaka Millions 3YO candidates Affirmative Action (Dellow) and Romanoff (L Singh) were well held over 1000m in 1:09.4 and 600m in 39.4. The Pam Gerard-trained pair both look improved for their recent fresh-up runs.
Capulet (Hashizume) and High Society (C Grylls) shaped up well for Pukekohe over 1000m in 1:05.8 and 38.2, while Family Ties (Cooper) and Bolli Belle (Bosson) ran the same trip in 1:07 and 38.5 and Espionage (Bosson) was kept to 1:08 and 39.5.
On the course proper, which the footing was just in the soft range 17 metres out, Trentham entry Clear Conscience (Parmar) travelled strongly in a solo 1000m in 1:04.6 and 36.7. The Pam Gerard-trained mare has trained on well from her maiden win three weeks ago.
Stablemates Aspiritta (Parmar) and Chaplin (L Singh) prepared for Te Rapa on Friday with 1000m in 1:05.7 and 37.1, while Waitak (P Singh) looked bright as he continued his Herbie Dyke Stakes preparation with well-contained striding work.
On the plough, Karaka Million 3YO candidates Lollapalooza (C Grylls) and Fleeting Star were in dashing form over 1000m in 1:01.6, finishing off with 600m in 35.5. Even allowing that the Richardson/Norvall stablemates were first on the plough after its mid-session conditioning, it was very good work. Brisbane jockey Angela Jones has been engaged for Fleeting Star, while Lollapalooza will be ridden by regular jockey Vinnie Colgan.
They were followed by stablemates Lotus (Romero) and Alizarin (Wratten) who prepared for Te Rapa Friday with 1000m in 1:02.8 and 37. Two more heading to Te Rapa, Arctic Jewel Hashizume) and Thumbelina (C Grylls), ran the same distance in 1:05. 6 and 37.4. Spencer (Hashizume) and Santa Catalina (Doyle) looked bright ahead of their Thorndon Mile and Trentham Stakes missions when cutting out 1000m in 1:05.6 and 37.8.
Desert Gold Stakes entry Crimson Sky (S Collett) went with Pukekohe Sunday candidate Redletterday (Bragg) over 1000m in 1:04.8 and 37.6. Rebel Creek (Pashwan) and Our Bold Lady (Romero) had pace on throughout 1200m in 1:17.4, 1:02.8 and 36.8. Vougeot (Dellow) and Let’s Dance (Parmar) were well contained over the same ground in 1:25.9, 1:08.4 and 38.5.
Du Jardin (Melvin) and Passion ’N’ Pride (Berge) weren’t extended over 1000m in 1:08.2 and 39, while Crown Princess (Bosson) and Summer In London (C Grylls) were timed over the same ground in 1:05 and 37.4.
Also over 1000m, Acalypha (Wratten) recorded a smart 1:02.8 and 36.6, Vendabelle (Hashizume) 1:05.4 and 37.6, Towering Vision (Bosson) 1:11.2 and 41.3, Ribble (Dellow) and Jaws (L Singh) 1:10.5 and 38.6, Villing Ram (Sanson) 1:06.8 and 37.2, Pier (S Weatherley) 1:10 and 39.5, Astrum (Fawcett) 1:04.8 and 36.8, and Scutalong (Parmar) and Scaredoheights (S McKay) 1:04.2 and 36.8.