MATAMATA
Savoir Faire looked ready for a return to form in Saturday’s Rotorua Cup when he galloped impressively at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Working on the plough after its mid-session grooming, Savoir Faire had raceday rider Michael McNab in the saddle as he and War Of Succession (Bosson) set off from the 2000m mark and were timed over their last 1200m in a smart 1:15.8.
The Walker/Bergerson-trained pair maintained a solid tempo throughout, with their last 1000m in 1:01.2 and the final 600m in 36. Savoir Faire was below his best when finishing midfield in last month’s Hawke’s Bay Cup, but a freshen-up and a trial hitout last week appear to have him back in the right form. War Of Succession is scheduled to run at Ellerslie on Saturday week.
Circus Dancer (Bragg) and Rareza (S Collett) caught the eye as they prepared for Rotorua with 1000m in 1:01.2 and 35.6. My Lips Are Sealed (Bosson) also shaped up well for the Rotorua Stakes when she ran a solo 1000m in 1:03.6 and 36.8.
Others to impress included War Queen (K Pertab) Real Anthem (Prastiyou), who cut out 1000m in 1:01.8 and 35.6, and Sister Cynane (Loki) and Purosangue (Halliday) over the same distance in 1:03.2 and 36.8.
Over ground, Sweet But Psycho (Mullineaux) and Desert Mystic (Hashizume) prepared for the weekend with solid work, timed from the 1200m in 1:18.9, 1:04.2 and 36.8. Last-start winner Squire (P Brosnan) enjoyed his work over 1200m in 1:20.8, the last 1000m in 1:05.6 and 600m in 39.
Charmer (Harris) and Proboy (Bragg) were well held over 1000m in 1:05 and 38.5, Captain Stan (Bosson) went by himself over the same ground in 1:06.3 and 37.8, Renovation (Sherwood) took 1:05.8 and 37.2, Poise (Bragg) and Benerro (S Collett) 1:06.8 and 38.6, Amberite (Boyack) 1:06.8 and 37.6, and Acanthus (Hashizume) and Themarierose (Winter) 1:08.2 and 38.6.
Getaway (K Pertab) and Elusive Faith (L Pertab), both debut winners at Rotorua last month, indicated that they had trained on well as they left 1000m behind in 1:04.8 and 36.4.
Lupo Solitario (Onley), back from a short break following his Easter Handicap win, was unextended as he cut out 1000m in 1:05.8 and 38.2. Afterglo (Sanson), who is scheduled to resume at next week’s local meeting, was let off with an easy 1000m in 1:11.3 and 40.8.
On the course proper, which provided good footing 18 metres out, Rotorua entries Lotus (Paswan) and Artamos (Nishizuka) looked ready to continue their good form when they cut out their last 1000m in 1:06.2 and 37.3.
Tonia’s Dragon (Nishizuka) worked boldly over a solo 1000m in 1:06.9 and 36.8, while Tiantai (McNab) and Emma Twigg (S Collett) got through 1200m in good style, returning 1:21.6, 1:06.5 and 38.4. Illuminated Miss (Nishizuka) and Anton (Sanson) were paired over a truly-run 1000m in 1:05.4 and 36.9.
On the No.1 sand, Zantabulous (Bosson) was unextended over 1000m in 1:10.8 and 40.6. She took no harm from a barrier incident that forced her late scratching at Otaki a fortnight ago and will run next in the Rangitikei Cup at Otaki on Saturday week. Clear Conscience (Nishizuka) was timed from the 1200m in 1:20.6 and 1000m in 1:05.2, quickening well over the final 600m in 37.4.