MATAMATA

Top Shelf and War Of Succession worked well at Matamata on Tuesday morning as they prepared for Saturday’s Ellerslie meeting.

The majority of fast work during what was a relatively quiet session took place 20 metres out on the heavy course proper under overcast skies, and due to poor light not all gallops could be timed.

Last-start Ellerslie winner Top Shelf (Bosson) went with race rival War Of Succession (Hussain) over 1000m in a smart 1:06.6, maintaining their momentum for a final 600m in 37.5. With a month between runs, Top Shelf is in bright condition for Saturday’s Rating 75 1500m, while War Of Succession, also a past winner at Ellerslie, is in forward order ahead of his first start for the year.

Levakia (Winter) and Zambrosia (Bosson) prepared for Ellerslie with good work over ground, returning 1:20.8 for 1200m, 1000m in 1:06.8 and the last 600m in 38.8. Levakia went down narrowly in her last start and has trained on well for Saturday’s open middle-distance. Maiden 1600m entry Zambrosia is knocking on the door after third placings at her last two starts.

Sorghaghtani (Wratten) and Buccino (Sawan) did well over 1200m in 1:22.4, 1:06.8 and 38.6, while Pericles (Rastrick) hit out strongly in his 1000m gallop in 1:09.8, finishing off with a smart 600m in 37.9.

Ellerslie entry Clear Conscience (Nishizuka) was paired with Tenfoot Tall (Boyack) over a well-run 1000m in 1:08.2 and 37.6, while Burnerphone (Goodwin) and Scaredoheights (S McKay), although not after time, were travelling well at the end of 1000m in 1:11.5 and 39.6.

Sister Cynane (Loki) completed 1200m in 1:22.5, 1:07.8 and 38.6, and was followed by stablemate Gippsy God (Hashizume) in 1:22.2, 1:07.6 and 38.2.

Sibling Rivalry (Bosson) and Presence Of Mind (Melvin) cut out 1000m in 1:08.3 and 38.6, while Fleeting Star (Nishizuka) and Cosmopolitan (Sawan) ran the same trip in 1:08.2 and 38.5.

Timeless Beauty (Hassman) and Miss Pernod (Bosson) left 1000m behind in 1:08.8 and 38.5. Blesstas (Goodwin) and Carnelian (S McKay) were well contained over 1000m in 1:14.8 and 40.2.