MATAMATA

Horses preparing for Saturday’s local feature meeting provided most interest at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Poor early light and fog later in the session hindered some timing on the course proper, where the going 20 metres out was just into the heavy range.

Top Shelf (Hassman) and Typhoon Lucy (McNab) looked ready to continue their last-start winning form when they got through solid work over 1200m in 1:23.8, the last 1000m in 1:08.4 and 600m in 38.8. Top Shelf has trained on pleasingly since her first-up Ellerslie win and is well placed in the handicap for the Listed Fairview Matamata Kaimai Stakes (formerly the Matamata Cup). 

Stablemate Typhoon Lucy also looks in capital order after winning so well first-up on her home track a fortnight ago. From a maiden win at the end of her autumn campaign to Rating 75 grade this weekend, she faces a big step up in just three starts, but she has the ability to bridge the gap.

L’Aigle Noir (C Grylls) and Rip Tide (Mullineaux) also drew attention to their weekend prospects with sound work over 1000m in 1:09.6 and 40.2. Although not the fastest of the session, they still impressed. L’Aigle Noir showed real potential last season and resumes off the back of two lead-up trials, while Rip Tide, who left a big impression in his recent Taupo debut win, will be an interesting runner in Rating 65 grade.

Two more from the Wexford barn, Crackercol (Holliday) and Purosangue (Hashizume), went at a decent rate over 1000m in 1:08.7 and 39.1. Qali Al Farrasha (McNab) and Altari (Bosson) were in good form with a smart 1000m in 1:08.4 and 37.6. Qali Al Farrasha is entered for both Matamata and Hawera, with the preference for the Taranaki Stakes at the latter venue, where Altari is also entered.

Lollapalooza (Pinn) and Joyeuse (Paswan) were travelling well at the end of their 1000m hitout in 1:09.6, but no sectional split could be taken. Lollapalooza was much better in her last start and holds entries for Saturday’s Listed 1600 as well as the Rating 75 1600. Maiden candidate Joyeuse has made good progress since her recent debut second.

Guipago (M Brosnan) strode over ground and was timed from the 1200m in 1:24.7, the last 1000m in 1:09.5 and 600m in 40.8. Sweet But Psycho (Mullineaux) appeared to get through her work well over ground without being timed. After a string of placings, no runner on Saturday would deserve a win more than the grey mare.

Afterglo (Rastrick) and Thrill Of Flight (Fawcett) galloped against the rail in the true position, where they cut out 1000m in 1:05.4 and the final 600m in a very respectable 36.2. Afterglo will be hard-pressed to make the field for Saturday’s feature race, while Thrill Of Flight is entered for the maiden 1200.

Mosinvader (Mullineaux), who steps up to 1600m on Saturday, was unextended over 1000m in 1:13.8 and 41.9. Kygo Star (Azrul) and No Curfew (Shafiq) cut out a strong 1000m together in 1:07.9 and 38.4, Bulldozer Betty (C Grylls) and Bramito (Parvee) also did well to record 1:08.5 and 38.4 and Samurai Sword (Leighton) and Whistle Jacket Parmar) returned 1:10.2 and 39.6. 

Over the same ground Paparazzi (Parmar) and Gin ’N’ Tonic (Nishizuka) were not hurried in 1:12.5 and 40.2, and Aquadream (McNab) and Cease And Desist (Bosson) took 1:09.4 and 40. Licorice (Leighton) was timed over 800m in 55.8 and 41.6.

On the No.1 sand Zacabasso (Wretten) and Cosmopolitan (Jodha) cut out 1000m in 1:05.5 and 37.4, while Levakia (McNab) did good work over ground, timed from the 1200m in 1:21.4, 1:07.2 and 38. She is scheduled to run in next in the Staphanos Classic at Rotorua on Sunday week.