MATAMATA
Hankee Alpha looked on target for her weekend engagement at Te Rapa when she worked in good style at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Galloping 20 metres out on the soft course proper, Hankee Alpha (L Singh) didn’t return the quickest time of the session, but still impressed with the way she got through a solo 1000m in 1:09.8, the last 600m in 39.2. The O’Sullivan/Scott-trained mare has been knocking for a win, including third from a wide gate at Ellerslie last week, and looks well placed in the Rating 75 1400 at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Others to impress were Blesstas (Hassman) and Mid Ocean (Goodwin) as they worked away steadily from the 1000m mark to complete that distance in 1:11.2 and finished with plenty in hand over the final 600m in 39.4. The Benji King-trained pair have good form credentials for their Te Rapa assignments, former Australian-performed Blesstas having returned to form at her last start and Mid Ocean an improver’s fourth after a setback.
Dubai Gold (Nishizuka) and Dragon Blossom (Hassman) prepared for Te Rapa with solid work over ground, timed from the 1200m in 1:20.7, the last 1000m in 1:05.1 and final 600m in 37.6. Also over ground, Ever Charm (Mullineaux) and Laura (Loki) clocked 1:23.3 for 1200m, with the last 1000m in 1:08.2 and 600m in 39.2.
Spencer had raceday rider Ashlee Strawbridge on board when he and Manorbier (S McKay) covered 1000m in 1:09.6, the last 600m in 38.6. Spencer is in forward order to begin a new campaign in the open 1200m at Te Rapa. Race rival Tristar (Halliday) was paired with Up The Anti (L Singh) over 1000m in 1:10.2 and 39.
Last-start Te Rapa winner Prudentia (Loki) and General Minari (Mullineaux) got through sound work over 1000m in 1:10.5 and 39.4. Presuming (Nishizuka), an entry for Pukekohe on Friday, caught the eye in a solo 1000m in 1:05.8 and 38.5, while Lorina (L Singh) ran the same trip in 1:08.8 and 39.6.
Divider (Rastrick) and Richter Scale (Hassman) were timed over 1200m in 1:27.2, 1:10.2 and 39.6. Jade Dragon (Nishizuka) and Tenfoot Tall (Boyack) ran a sound 1000m together in 1:07.8 and 38.2.
On the No.2 sand, Amourette (Smith) and Royce (Bragg) prepared for Saturday’s two-year-old stakes feature with well-held work over 1000m in 1:07.4 and 39.2. Amourette won on debut at Ellerslie in early April, while Royce finished second on debut at Otaki. They are now prepared by recently relicensed trainer Tony Cole, who has taken over his son Cody’s team.
Te Rapa candidates Hakkinen (Bosson) and El Viento (Azrul) were in good form over 1200m in 1:18.8, 1:03.6 and 36.2. Also over ground, Lodi Dodo (Paswan) was recorded from the 1200m in 1:20.4, 1:06.4 and 39.2, while stablemate Chante Moi (Wratten) followed in 1:20.8, 1:07 and 39.6.
Carsolio (Hussain) and Presence Of Mind (Bosson), who head to Tauherenikau on Sunday, were timed from the 800m in 51.2 and 37.6. She’s The Boss (R Cole) cut out 1000m in 1:06.6 and 38.4, Purosangue (C Grylls) and Whistler (Halliday) returned 1:06.3 and 37.8, Dare To Proisir (Bosson) 1:05.3 and 38.2, Diomedes (L Pertab) and Getabout (Prastiyou), and Tailoress (A Jones) and Inside Out (Parvee) 1:04.5 and 36.8.
On the No.1 sand, Troublemaker (Berge) prepared for Pukekohe on Friday over 1000m in 1:04.8 and 37.