Kelly Coe confirmed her fitness for Saturday’s Thorndon Mile when she galloped impressively at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
On the plough Kelly Coe (Farr) travelled strongly throughout 1000m in 1:04.3, finishing off with 600m in 37.2 and appearing to have something in reserve. After returning to form at Te Rapa in mid-December, Kelly Coe bypassed the Rich Hill Mile on New Year’s Day in favour of the more favourable set weight and penalty conditions of Saturday’s feature. She is in excellent order to provide trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott with back-to-back Group Ones at Trentham.
Race rival Qali Al Farrasha (Bosson) worked with Inca Gold (Moodley) on the course proper, where the markers were set at 20 metres and the ground just had the sting out of it. The Te Akau pair were never extended over 1000m in 1:07.3 and 38.4. Qali Al Farrasha has freshened up well since her Counties Cup second in late November.
Ballymore stablemates Savaglee (Nishizuka) and Suit Yourself (Allen) also worked on the course proper, but could not be timed due to fog as they prepared for Saturday’s Levin Classic. They still impressed hitting the line with a full head of steam.
Thorndon Mile entry Mali Ston (S Weatherley) went with Ellerslie Sunday candidate Chahoo (Parvee) over 1000m in 1:09.2, but no sectional time was possible. Te Akau juveniles Dare To Proisir (Bosson) and Carsolio (Pinn) were timed over 1000m in 1:07 and 800m in 51.6.
Outback Opal was ridden by his trainer Mark Brosnan in solid work over 1200m in 1:19.8, 1:05.2 and 38.6. Trentham candidate Dragon Biscuit (Nishizuka) was well held over 1000m in 1:09.8 and 38.4.
Lingjun Xiong Feng (Nishizuka) and Phantom Dragon (Allen) strode over 1200m in 1:20.6 and 1000m in 1:05. Captured By Love (Bosson) and The Victress (Amin) were not chasing time over 1000m in 1:10.4 and 38.2.
Back on the plough, Campionessa (Bosson) and Hakkinen (Pinn) were in good form ahead of their respective Trentham and Tauranga engagements as they covered 1200m in 1:19.2, 1:05 and 36.8.
Checkmate (Rastrick) looked on target for the three-year-old 1500m at Ellerslie on Sunday when he cut out 1000m in 1:05.3 and 37.7. Stablemate Sought After (Mullineaux) ran the same trip in 1:05.2 and 37.3, while Tristar (Tynan) recorded 1:05.4 and 36.8.
Egyptian Queen (Bosson) wasted no time over 1000m in 1:03.5 and 36.2, indicating she has trained on well from her last-start win. Tanganyika (Farr), another last-start winner heading to Tauranga, was paired with Washi (Rastrick) over 1000m in 1:05.1 and 37.6.
Chante Moi (Halliday) and Sorghaghtani (Beemud) cut out a smart 1000m in 1:04 and 36.5, while Smokeshow (Rastrick) ran the same distance in 1:05.2 and 37.4, and Perspective (S Weatherley) and Staphee (Parvee) took 1:07.2 and 39.5.
Dubai Gold (Dellow) and Blue Lines (Allen) got through their work well over 1200m in 1:24.2, 1:07.4 and 38.5, while Return To Conquer (Bosson) and Legally Binding (Pinn) strode in from the 800m in 54.4 and 38.9.