Exciting juvenile Return To Conquer confirmed his fitness for his raceday return at Ellerslie this weekend when he worked impressively at Matamata on Tuesday morning.
Galloping 22 metres out on a good course proper, Return To Conquer (Bosson) was paired with Puzzle Master (Pinn) over 1000m in 1:09.7, finishing off with 600m in 39.2 in what was smart work by the Walker/Bergerson-trained pair.
Return To Conquer is the winner of his only start, the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes in November, as well as all four of his trials.
The last of those was against open grade horses on his home track a fortnight ago and the Snitzel colt is certain to line up as favourite in Saturday’s Colin Jillings 2YO Classic at Ellerslie. Puzzle Master, an unlucky second when resuming last month, will run in the Rating 65 sprint at Te Rapa on Friday.
Stablemates Crown Princess (Pinn) and Midnight Blue (Lawson-Carroll) were in good form ahead of their New Plymouth feature engagements on Saturday when cutting out 1000m in 1:08.5 and 39.4. Cognito (Pinn) and Talisker (Lerner) wasted no time over the same ground in 1:06.9 and 38.7.
Kelly Coe (Hutchings), a rival for Cognito in the Listed 1500m at Ellerslie, was strong in her 1000m hitout in 1:09.8 and 40.6. Race rival Little Bit Of Love (Hutchings) was also well held over the same ground in 1:10.2 and 40.4, as was Te Rapa Friday runner Bonifleur (Parmar) in 1:11.2 and 40.4.
Mi Bella (C Grylls) looked sharp for Te Rapa when finishing off a strong 1000m with 600m in 38.5. Screamin Eagle (Sanson) and Legacy (Fawcett) were timed from the 800m in 51.5 and 38.8, while Shockabella (Miller) was keen over 1000m in 1:06.5 and 40.5.
Perugia (Hyde-Richards) and Captain Stan (Sanson) did well later in the session to run the last 800m of their work in 51.7 and 38.2. Outback Opal (M Brosnan) strode over 1200m in 1:24.2, 1:08.8 and 40.6.
Over 1000m Egyptian Queen (Miller) returned 1:08.6 and 38.8, Inca Belle (C Grylls) and Aotea Lad (Lawson-Carroll) took 1:09.1 and 41.2, Massari (Tynan) and Modelo (Rastrick) 1:09.8 and 38.8, Peerless (Stott) 1:09.9 and 38.7, Interpretation (Miller) and Sybaris (Lawson-Carroll) 1:09.4 and 39.2, Waiata (Stott) 1:08.8 and 40.4, and Dubai Gold (Lerner) 1:08.6 and 39.
Squire (P Brosnan) maintained an even tempo over 1200m in 1:21.5, 1:07.8 and 40.5, while Britannia’s Gold (Halliday) was kept to 1:27.8, 1:12 and 43.2. Grail Seeker (Tynan) was kept to three-quarter-pace as she continued her preparation for next weekend’s BCD Group Sprint.
On the No. 2 sand, fellow BCD Sprint prospect Navigator (Harris) was partnered with Kingsford (Butler) over 1000m in 1:07 and 39.8. Navigator has come through his Telegraph placing in good order and will have a hitout between races at Te Rapa on Friday with Savaglee.
Two more from the Cody Cole stable, Billie Idol (McCall) and Atavus (Turner), cut out a smart 1000m in 1:05.2 and 36.8.
On the No. 1 sand, Legarto (Winter) got through her first piece of three-quarter-pace work since returning to training, timed over 800m in 1:01.8 and 600m in 46. The classy racemare looks very well but trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have yet to make out a late season programme for her.