MATAMATA

Horses preparing for Saturday’s big home track meeting were the centre of attention during a busy training session at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Two-year-olds entered for the feature double were allowed to gallop against the course proper rail, which offered ideal footing with a Soft 5 rating.

Lara Antipova (Hutchings) and Kinnaird (Bosson), the respective highest rated entries for the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes and Matamata Slipper, were paired over a soundly-run 1000m in 1:02.8, the final 600m in 35.5.

They were followed by Matamata Slipper candidate Out Of The Blue (C Grylls), who cut out the distance in 1:02.4 and 35.8. All three Te Akau juveniles are in good order for their weekend assignments.

Dashing Dixie (Loki) and Te Encuentro (C Grylls) did well as they prepared for the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes over 1000m in 1:02.6 and 35.4. The Wexford Stables pair also look primed for their home track feature.

Last-start winner Justin Case (S Collett) was impressive as he prepared for the Matamata Slipper with solo work over 1000m in 1:03.2 and 35.7. Hawea (Hutchings) and State The Obvious (Garcia) weren’t chasing time over 1000m in 1:10.8 and 40.2.

All other course proper work took place 22 metres out, where Lisa Chittick Plate entry Lux Libertas (Tynan) went with last-start winner Our Lurrina (L Singh) in a strong 1000m in 1:06.4, the last 600m in 37.5. It was good work by the O’Sullivan/Scott pair.

Over the same ground Lisa Chittick Stakes runners Captured By Love (Bosson) and Belle Cheval (Hashizume) left 1000m behind in 1:07.2 and 38.6. Stablemates My Lips Are Sealed (Hutchings) and Zantabulous (Berge) prepared for the weekend with 1000m in 1:07.4 and 40.8, while Boli Belle (Hassman) and Brazen Affair (Hashizume) did well to return 1:05 and 37.7.

Pericles (Parmar) and Dubai Gold (Hashizume) got through strong work over ground, the last 1200m in 1:17.8, 1:03.6 and 37.3. Over the same distance Altari (Bosson) and Savoir Faire (Berge) returned 1:20.4, 1:06.5 and 37.8, while Mid Ocean (S Collett) and Blesstas (Parmar) recorded 1:26.6, 1:10.2 and 38.5.

On the plough, What You Wish For (Bosson) looked on target for a repeat win in the Kaimai Stakes when working strongly over 1200m with Passion ’N’ Pride (Hutchings) in 1:18.8, the last 1000m in 1:03.3 and 600m in 36.6.

Race rival Wolfgang (Doyle) went with Los Santos (C Grylls) in a truly-run 1000m in 1:02, the last 600m in 37.2. Navigator (Harris) was in good form for Saturday’s Wairere Falls Classic when paired with Jachimo (S Collett) over 1000m in 1:03.8 and 36.4. Smart Love (Hashizume) General Minari (C Grylls) impressed in their 1000m hitout, recording 1:03.4 and 36.2.

The Underbelly (Harris), an entry for the local meeting as well as Waipukurau on Sunday, hit out well by himself over 1000m in 1:05.8 and 37. Romilly (Paswan) also did solo work, cutting out a strong 1200m in 1:17.6, 1:03 and 36.7.

Captain Stan (Hyde-Richards) prepared for New Plymouth on Friday with 1000m in 1:04.5 and 36.5. Savasana (Ramsay) covered the same ground in 1:06.8 and 38.4, Giacomo (Hassman) took 1:05.2 and 36.5, Ploy (S Collett) and Sperlari (Harris) 1:05.2 and 36.8, Ribble (Dellow) and Jaws (Nishizuka) 1:06.4 and 38, She’s Got Gears (Harris) and Manolete (Sherwood) 1:05.2 and 38, To Bravery Born (Bosson) and Bellish Boy (Hutchings) 1:06.8 and 38.6, and I’m Quinn (Fawcett) and Dahmers Kiss (Rastrick) 1:11.6 and 40.8.

Over 1200m Fly My Wey (M Brosnan) returned 1:22, 1:05.6 and 38.5, Sadhbh (Parmar) and Kaz Caz (Nishizuka) took 1:25.6, 1:08.8 and 40.4, and Waitak (P Singh) 1:25.8, 1:09.6 and 40.2. Alabama Lass (Winter) looked bright when she ran in from the 800m in 49.5 and 36.2.