MATAMATA
Foxbridge Plate favourite Alabama Lass confirmed her readiness for a big fresh-up effort in Saturday’s Te Rapa feature when she worked stylishly at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Another heavy frost meant the course proper, with the markers set at 14 metres, provided reasonably good footing.
Alabama Lass was ridden by raceday rider Michael McNab as she worked away steadily from the 1000m mark, quickly gathering momentum to run the full distance in 1:06.7. She hit the line travelling sweetly, with the final 600m taking 37.3, the best time of the session.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare has dominated the early market for the weight-for-age feature and after a comfortable trial win and smart trackwork she looks in the right order to justify that position. A continuation of the fine and frosty weather through to Saturday will only aid her chances.
Matamata’s other Foxbridge Plate prospects to get through their work well were last year’s winner Sterling Express, last-start winner Spencer and Affirmative Action. Sterling Express was ridden by his raceday rider Masa Hashizume in solo work on the course proper, completing 1000m in 1:08.8 and 39.2. The Mark Brosnan-trained gelding has never been one to star in training but looks improved by his Te Rapa trial, when he hit the line well behind Alabama Lass.
Affirmative Action (Rooke) was paired with Niccita (Parmar), building momentum as they went over 1000m to run the distance in 1:10.6 and finish off well over the last 600m in 37.8. The Pam Gerard-trained four-year-old has developed well since last season and signalled his spring prospects with a smart trial win earlier in the month.
Spencer was ridden by his co-trainer Shaun McKay on the No.1 sand, where he was allowed his usual east task, striding out well under a hold to complete 800m in 53.2 and the last 600m in 38.8. He has trained on pleasingly from his recent Ruakaka win.
Back on the course proper, Te Rapa maiden prospects Fiamma (Mullineaux) and Coniston (Loki) shaped up well over 1000m in 1:09.2 and 38.8, while stablemate Ribkraka (Hashizume) wasn’t hurried over the same distance in 1:13.5 and 41.8.
Afterglo (Sanson) prepared for Te Rapa with Hastings weekend entry Toni Marie (E Jones) over 1200m in 1:22.6, the last 1000m in 1:07.9 and 600m in 38.5. Sweet But Psycho (Loki) was allowed an easier task over ground when completing 1200m in 1:24.5 and 42.6.
Talisker (Melvin) impressed when he led Born To Be Royal (Bosson) to the end of 1000m in 1:07.2 and 37.7. Later in the session Spirit Of Ardsley (Nishizuka) and Imperialstatecrown (Paswan) did well to cut out 1000m in 1:08.8 and 41, while Sonoran (S Collett) and Highflying Ace (Boyack) ran the same distance in 1:09.8 and 39.2.
Paparazzi (Rooke) and Divider (Nishizuka) completed 1000m in 1:09.6 and 40.6, and were followed by Van Damme (Parmar) in 1:10.2 and 40.8. Te Rapa entry Noble Cabello (Goodwin) was never at top over 1000m in 1:12.6 and 40.2.
Qali Al Farrasha (McNab) and Perlino (Wilson-Taylor) were timed over their last 800m in 54.6 and 38.9, while Sarti (McNab) and Tiantai (Winter) ran the same distance in 55.4 and 40.2.
On the No.2 sand, Zacabasso (Wratten) prepared for Te Rapa over a well-held 1200m in 1:23.5, the last 1000m in 1:07.6 and 600m in 38.2. Fly My Wey (M Brosnan) strode out well over 1200m in 1:21.8, 1000m in 1:04.5 and the last 600m in 37.2.
Last-start winner Whatz Done Is Done (Hillis) left 1000m behind in 1:06 and 36.9. Our Bill Bone (S Collett) ran the same trip in 1:10.8 and 40.3, followed by Vantage Point (Cameron) in 1:11.7 and 40.8.
Luvabeel (Bosson) and Firestrike (Azrul) weren’t after time as they strode over 1000m in 1:12.4 and 38.8. Stromlinien (Winter) and Themarierose (Hashizume) also took it easy over the same distance in 1:13.8 and 42.6.