MATAMATA

Levakia looked right on target for her delayed Staphanos Classic assignment at Ellerslie this weekend when she galloped impressively at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Working on the No.2 sand with raceday rider Michael McNab in the saddle, Levakia set off over ground and picked up momentum to stride over 1200m in 1:16.8, with the last 1000m in 1:01.4 and the final 600m in 36.2. 

It was very good work by the Ken Kelso-trained mare, who was set to run over 1950m at Rotorua on Sunday but will now line up over the extended distance of 2100m due to the forced rescheduling of the Staphanos Classic to Ellerslie. She is close to peak fitness and should not be inconvenienced by the additional distance, especially on a track that she has handled well before.

Fillies preparing for Saturday’s Soliloquy Stakes also took the eye, in particular Asturia (McNab), who was accompanied by Otaki weekend runner Bolli Belle (Bosson) over 1000m in 1:03.8 and 36.5. The Walker/Bergerson-trained filly is in good order for her next assignment off the back of her Ellerslie debut win and strong second in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas. 

Wexford’s Soliloquy Stakes trio were allowed easier work, with Dashing Dixie (Mullineaux) and Pounce (C Grylls) well held over 1000m in 1:10.2 and 39, and followed by Fiamma (Hashizume) in 1:09.6 and 38.8. Dashing Dixie and Pounce have progressed well from their Gold Trail Stakes runs, while Fiamma has had a maintenance trial since her smart Taupo maiden win a month ago. 

Talisker (Bosson) and Centurial (McNab) shaped up well for their respective Ellerslie and Otaki engagements with a soundly-run 1000m in 1:04.2 and 36.8. In similar work Ellerslie weekend rivals Perlino (C Grylls) and Crown Princess (Melvin) recorded 1:04.6 and 37. 

Licorice (C Grylls) and Tyrus (Leighton) cut out 1000m together in 1:04.2 and 36.6, while Whatz Done Is Done (Hillis) and Bold And Brave (R Cole) began steadily over the same distance to record 1:06.2, quickening for a final 600m in 36.4. 

Over ground, Towering Vision (Bosson) and Bright Stripes (McNab) left 1200m behind in 1:22.4, 1:05.2 and 36.3. Towering Vision has had a trial since his last-start win and returns to Ellerslie on the weekend, while Bright Stripes will head down to Otaki after his bold fresh-up third last month. 

El Viento (Hussain), who has had two trials ahead of his resuming run this weekend, strode over 1200m in 1:22.8, 1:05.6 and 36.5. Australian returnee Damask Rose (C Grylls) looked bright when breezing in from the 800m in 1:01.5 and 44.2. The winner of the Karaka Millions 3YO and NZB Kiwi in her last two domestic starts, she is being aimed initially at next month’s Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Pukekohe.