Quality gallopers preparing for spring features added to the action as they got through their paces at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
A number of them worked on the outside of the course proper, where while still on the heavy side, the ground provided relatively good footing.
Foxbridge Plate favourite Alabama Lass (M McNab) worked away from the 800m mark, hard held to begin with as she covered the distance in 53.4 and when allowed more rein stretched out impressively to cover the last 600m in 37.5.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare looks very well ahead of the black-type trial at Te Rapa on Saturday. Michael McNab has committed to riding her in her upcoming engagements, which all going to plan will include the Gr.1 Proisir Plate.
Damask Rose (C Grylls) and La Dorada (Bosson), who will follow the same path as Alabama Lass, were paired in sound work over 1000m, completing the trip in 1:10 and finishing off with a well-contained 600m in 40.1. Both Te Akau mares are coming to hand well.
Wexford Stabkes star Waitak (Loki) wasn’t after time as strode from the 800m in 58.5 and 600m in 41. The big gelding looks bright as he readies for his first public appearance of the season in a pre-race trial at Taupo on Sunday week ahead of the Proisir Plate.
The Richardson/Norvall-trained Lollapalooza (Paswan), another set to contest Saturday’s Te Rapa trial ahead of the Foxbridge Plate, looked comfortable throughout her work over 800m in 55 and 600m in 40.5.
Last year’s Foxbridge Plate winner Sterling Express (Hashizume) was paired with Big Bold Bob (M Brosnan) over a soundly-run 1000m in 1:08.2 and 40.2. The Mark Brosnan-trained gelding is carrying plenty of condition and will take further benefit from his weekend trial at Te Rapa.
Of those scheduled to race at Te Rapa on Saturday, Afterglo (Sanson) impressed as she strode over ground, timed from the 1200m in 1:25.4 with the last 1000m in 1:10 and 800m in 54.6. The Stephen Autridge-trained mare will be an interesting weekend runner in her first start beyond 1600m.
Stablemate Caitlyns Wish (Stumbles) followed and was timed over 1000m in 1:11.2 and 800m in 56, likewise with no 600m split possible due to poor light. Little Bit Of Love (L Singh) who also runs in the Te Rapa open 1200, was timed over 800m in 54.2 and 39.2.
Te Rapa open 1600 entry Lotus (Paswan) was partnered by Imperialstatecrown (Nishizuka) over a well-run 1000m in 1:07.5 and 39.6. Over the same distance Ribkraka (Mo) took 1:10 and 40.1, while Little Orchid (Mullineaux) and Lomasi (Mo) were kept to 1:16.2 and 43. Ever Charm (Loki) was also well held as he strode over his final 600m in 42.2.
On the No.1 sand, Faultless (S McKay) worked well over 1000m in 1:04.8 and 37.4. Stablemate Subiaco (S Collett), who runs at Cambridge on Friday, strode over 800m in 52.4 and 600m in 38.6.
On the No.2 sand, Shavasana and Did The Trick also shaped up well for their Cambridge engagements. Shavasana (Ramsay) cut out 1000m in 1:04.6 and 36.8, while Did The Trick (Hillis) covered the same distance in 1:06.2 and 37.6.
Hostility (M McNab) caught the eye in his work over 1000m in 1:10.2, quickening readily from the 600m in 38.5. Now a gelding, he has developed significantly since last racing. Party Time (Goodwin) ran a tidy 1000m in 1:06.8 and 37.6.
Over 800m, Latoya (Hashizume) and Levarti (Fawcett) were paired over 800m in 55.2 and 38.6. Latoya looks bright after a short break since her Ruakaka debut win last month, while Levarti, yet another likely looking Proisir filly in the Kelso stable, shaped up well when winning her first trial recently.
Stromlinien (C Grylls), a recent addition to the Kelso stable, went with Themarierose (Hashizume) over 800m in 54.4 and 38.3. Live On Air (Olney) ran the same distance in 54.2 and 37.5, while Tiantai (Fawcett) and Sarti (McNab) caught the eye with 800m in 52.2 and 36.8.