MATAMATA
Afterglo looked in the right shape to add to her record this weekend when she galloped impressively at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Working on the No.2 sand, Afterglo (Sanson) had pace on throughout her 1000m hitout, recording 1:04.6 for the full distance and finishing off with 600m in 36.8. The Stephen Autridge-trained mare returned to form with a smart effort at Te Rapa earlier in the month and has trained on pleasingly ahead of Saturday’s Rating 75 1600m at New Plymouth.
Sweet But Psycho (Loki) also worked well on the sand ahead of her Ruakaka weekend engagement, striding out boldly over 1200m in 1:21.2, 1:07.4 and the last 600m in 38.6. After placed efforts at her last two starts, she looks on the verge of winning form.
Stablemate Reptak (Doyle) was unextended over 1000m in 1:09.2 and 38.4, while Alabama Lass (Winter), looking bright in preparation for her spring campaign, was allowed to stretch out from the 8000m in 58.4 and 41.8.
On the No.1 sand, Opunake Cup candidate Spencer (S McKay) was paired with Los Santos (S Collett) over a well-held 1000m in 1:07.6, finishing off strongly with 600m in 38.4. Spencer, who will be ridden by comeback jockey Lisa Allpress in Saturday’s New Plymouth feature, looks improved for his two lead-up runs.
Other members of the McKay stable having their worked stepped up included Wolfgang (S McKay), who completed a solo 1000m in 1:11.8 and 41.6, and Santa Catalina (S McKay) and Scaredoheights (Doyle) over the same distance in 1:12.6 and 38.8.
On the course proper, where the footing was heavy 18 metres out, Principled (Burdan) and Bellezor (Boshale) drew attention to their New Plymouth prospects with a solid gallop over 1000m in 1:09.9, the last 600m in 39.5. The Paul Richards-trained pair are both past winners on the New Plymouth track and should strip fit for their weekend engagements.
Kaimai Queen (B Singh) and Ribkraka (Leighton) were paired over 1000m in 1:12.3, finishing off well without being pressured for a final 600m in 41.2. Kaimai Queen has trained on well from her long odds placing in the Tauranga Classic and will chase further black type in the Opunake Cup, while Ribkraka has made good progress since his last-start win and also heads to New Plymouth.
Romanin looked in good order for the MAAT 1800m at New Plymouth when co-trainer Julia Ritchie let her stride over 1200m in 1:23.6, 1:07.6 and 39.2. Noble Cabello (Goodwin), who steps up a grade at Ruakaka after clearing maiden grade at his last start, was paired with Arizola (McCrissican) but due to fog could only be timed over 800m in 55.8.
Of those who could not be timed at all, Red Wings appeared to work well for his trainer Jim Collett, who several years ago also trained the Swiss Ace gelding’s talented dam Red Striker.