Horses preparing for Saturday’s Gr. 1 Sistema Railway were in the spotlight at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Alabama Lass, the pre-draw favourite for the big Ellerslie sprint, had raceday rider Sam Spratt in the saddle when she worked against the course proper set at seven metres. She travelled sweetly on the good ground, recording 1:00.9 for 1000m and finishing off impressively with a final 600m in 34.8.
It was good work by any measure and confirmed that the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained filly, who has not raced since finishing second in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas in November, is in excellent order for her weekend assignment.
Captured By Love (Bosson), who beat Alabama Lass in the Riccarton classic, did her work on the plough where she went with The Victress (Colgan) over 1000m in 1:03.2 and 35.8. Like Alabama Lass, the Walker/Bergerson-trained filly has had a well-measured build-up to the Railway.
Also on the plough, race rival Bonny Lass (Fawcett) worked solo over a strong 1000m in 1:03.8 and the last 600m in 35.9. She appears to have trained on well from her sixth placing in the Telegraph. Last year’s Railway winner Waitak (Rastrick), who was below his best in the Telegraph, seemed none the worse for the experience when getting through a well-held 1000m in 1:04.7 and 37.2.
Karaka Millions 3YO favourite Damask Rose (Bosson) went with Crown Princess (Colgan) over a strong 1000m in 1:04.8 and 36.2. Race rival Prosegur (Rastrick) was paired with Almanzor Trophy entry Hankee Alpha (Lerner) over 1000m in a smart 1000m 1:03.5 and 36.5, while stablemate Cheaha (Hutchings) ran the same distance in 1:03.8 and 36.9.
Move To Strike (Bosson) was in good form for the Almanzor Trophy when he and Puzzle Master (Pinn) cut out 1000m in 1:04.6 and 36.2. Skew Wiff (Bosson) prepared for Saturday’s Westbury Classic with a solid 1000m in 1:03.6 and 35.5.
Aotearoa Classic entry Mosinvader (Rastrick) was not extended over 1000m in 1:08.2 and 37, while Lux Libertas (Tynan) covered the same distance in 1:06.3 and 38.6. Romilly (Lerner) caught the eye when she and Mi Bella (Halliday) covered 1000m in 1:05.2, quickening impressively over the final 600m in 35.5.
Aotearoa Classic candidate Pericles (Colgan) worked 25 metres out on the course proper, where he maintained a strong gallop over 1200m in 1:18.9, with the last 1000m in 1:04.3 and 600m in 38.5. The Pam Gerard-trained gelding has made pleasing progress since returning to form at Te Rapa in late December.