MATAMATA
Last-start Easter Handicap winner Lupo Solitario looked ready to continue that form this weekend when he got through his work in good style at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Galloping on the plough, Lupo Solitario (Leighton) was his usual leisurely self as he strode over 1000m in 1:10.4, finishing off with 600m in 39.3. The Danica Guy-trained gelding has never been one to run time on the training track, however he is in capital order following a short break and is still well enough placed in the handicap to add to his record back at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Uderzo (Leighton), a rival in the open 1600m at Ellerslie, travelled strongly throughout 1000m in 1:03.6 and 36.6. He was a much-improved second when stepped up to 1600m at Te Rapa earlier in the month and has trained on well since. Wexford stablemates Sweet But Psycho (Mullineaux) and Desert Mystic (Leighton) prepared for Te Rapa on Sunday with a solid hitout over 1200m in 1:18.4, 1:03.5 and 37.
Cosmopolitan (Romero) and Buccino (Paswan) shaped up well for the weekend when cutting out 1000m in 1:04.3 and 35.8, while stablemate Marzenie (Nishizuka) also put plenty into her work over the same distance in 1:02.4 and 35.6.
Lucky Dice (Sheehan) and French Thinker (Hepi) weren’t chasing time but still impressed when working over 1000m in 1:07.2 and 37.8. The Kelly Van Dyk-trained pair have trained on well from their last-start wins. Others to impress over 1000m included Whistler (Mullineaux) and She’s All That (Loki), who returned 1:03.2 and 36.8, Whatz Done Is Done (Hillis) and She’s The Boss (R Cole) 1:03.6 and 36.4, and Pounce (Loki) and Angie (Mullineaux) 1:05.2 and 37.2.
El Viento (Bosson) and Blesstas (Goodwin) prepared for Ellerslie when working over ground, completing 1200m in 1:18.8, 1:03.2 and 36.8. Fly My Wey (M Brosnan), who resumes after a short break in the open 1600m at Ellerslie, left 1200m behind in 1:24.4, 1:07.2 and 38.8.
Richter Scale (Nishizuka), who heads down to Hastings on Thursday, was well contained over 1200m in 1:24.2, 1:08.3 and 40.4. Ellerslie entry Girl Code (Harris) wasn’t extended over 1000m in 1:05.8 and 38.6, Dare To Proisir (Bosson) took 1:08.7 and 38.6, and The Perfect Ram (Sanson) 1:07.6 and 37.5.