MATAMATA

Heavy fog again got in the way of timing during a busy training session at Matamata on Tuesday morning, when horses had the use of the first gallop plough for the spring.

The course proper was also in use, with the track rated Heavy8 ahead of Wednesday’s opening race meeting of the season.

Ellerslie Saturday entrants System Of Play (M McNab) and Day One (Bosson) worked on the course proper rail in the six-metre position, where they were travelling well at the end of a strong 1000m hitout. Highly rated colt System Of Play is in forward condition after two trials to resume in Saturday’s three-year-old 1400m, while Day One, who showed staying promise last season, was placed in a recent trial ahead of the Rating 65 1300m at Ellerslie.

Last-start Ellerslie winner Fly My Wey looked bright as trainer Mark Brosnan let him stride over a round of the course proper, where the markers were set at 18 metres. He and stablemate Diamond Jak return to Ellerslie on the weekend for the open 2100m. 

Lollapalooza (Nishizuka) was paired with State The Obvious (Paswan) in a solid 1000m workout. Lollapalooza, who was never sighted from a wide gate in the Proisir Plate, will have a significant drop in grade in the Rating 75 1600m at Ellerslie, in which her handicap will be reduced with apprentice Joe Nishizuka engaged.

Others who appeared to work well included Ellerslie entries Top Shelf (open 1400m), Towering Vision (R75 1600m) and Luvabeel (R65 1500m), plus She Suits Herself, who gets her chance in a 1600m highweight at Te Aroha on Friday.

Great New Zealand Hurdles favourite Squire was ridden by his co-trainer Peter Brosnan in strong work over two rounds of the No.1 sand. He has done everything right since his impressive lead-up win at Te Aroha a fortnight ago and will again be ridden by Australian-based Frenchman Luca Remondet.

Other notables on the No.1 sand were Latoya (M McNab) and Sarti (Winter) as they prepared for Ellerslie. Latoya should appreciate the step up in distance in the three-year-old 1400m, while stablemate Sarti doesn’t have to improve a lot to go close in the Rating 65 1300m.

The only gallops able to be partially timed were on the No.2 sand, where Mr Blackjack (L Pertab) and Hot Hot Hot (Sherwood) left 1000m behind in a smart 1:04.5, and New Recruit (Parmar) was more contained over the same trip in 1:08.8. Mr Blackjack is entered for Ellerslie, while Hot Hot Hot heads to Trentham for a maiden 1600m.