Qali Al Farrasha shaped up as an improver at Tauranga this weekend when she galloped impressively at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Most fast work took place took place on the plough, which was dead, while a handful galloped on the course proper, which was rated Soft5.
On the course proper Qali Al Farrasha (Bosson) was paired with Captured By Love (C Grylls) against the rail in the 7.5 metre position, where they were timed from the 1200m in 1:17.2, picking up the tempo for a final 1000m in 1:02.6 and 600m in 36.
Qali Al Farrasha has been slightly below par in her latest racing, but a slight drop in class to Saturday’s Gr.2 Japan Trophy should work for her. Stablemate Captured By Love also looked bright as she continued her preparation towards the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Trentham later in the month.
All other course proper gallops was out wide at the 22-metre mark, where Sterling Express (M Brosnan) prepared for the Japan Trophy over 1200m in 1:23.2, 1:07 and 38.8. He takes solid form credentials into Saturday’s weight-for-age 1600.
Another entry for the Tauranga feature, Sorghaghtani (Garcia), was accompanied by Lodi Dodi (Paswan) over 1200m, setting off keenly to run the trip in 1:15.9 and 1000m in 1:03.7, but understandably slowing for a final 600m in 39.6. With wins at her last two starts, Sorghaghtani will an interesting runner when she steps up in class on Saturday.
Tauranga open sprint entry Shoes (Nishizuka) put plenty of dash into her solo 1000m in 1:03.9 and 37.2. Race rival Grande Gallo (L Singh) was travelling well at the end of 1000m in 1:06.2 and 38.4.
Dubai Gold (Nishizuka) had side winkers fitted when she and Papparazzi (Rastrick) worked well over 1200m in 1:21.9, 1:06.6 and 37.3.
On the plough, Tauranga entries Charmer (S Collett) and Confianza (Harris) looked the part over 1000m in 1:04.6 and 37.8, while Bellish Boy (Azrul) and Zambrozia (Bosson) prepared for Pukekohe on Friday with a well-run 1200m in 1:19.8, 1:04 and 36.8.
Tauranga entry Just Call Me Jonny (McKay) went with Santa Catalina (C Grylls) over a smart 1000m in 1:02.7 and 36.6. Over the same distance War Queen (K Pertab) and Rough ’N’ Tough (Sanson) returned 1:04.6 and 37.8, She Means Business (Bosson) and Queen’s Evidence (Melvin) took 1:05.2 and 37, Old Bill Bone (Harris) and Manolete (S Collett) 1:05.5 and 37.4, Sibling Rivalry (Bosson) and Thumbelina (C Grylls) 1:04.7 and 36.6, Trafalgar (Harris) and Girl Code (S Collett) 1:05.2 and 36.4, and Lupo Solitario (Onley) and Licorice (Sanson) 1:06 and 38.2.
She Suits Herself (Berge) and Cease And Desist (Azrul) prepared for their weekend engagements over 1200m in 1:22.5, 1:07.7 and 37.8. Shiatsu (Hassman) and Legally Binding (Azrul) weren’t extended over 1000m in 1:09.2 and 39.2, while Ploy (S Collett) and Flaunt (Harris) had more speed on as they recorded 1:04.8 and 37.4.