MATAMATA
Matamata’s three leading prospects for the Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas all acquitted themselves well in their final serious work on Tuesday morning before boarding their flight to Christchurch ahead of Saturday’s Riccarton classic.
Galloping on the plough, odds-on Guineas favourite Asturia was ridden by her raceday jockey Michael McNab when paired with Typhoon Lucy (Hassman) over a solid 1200m in 1:19.8, building momentum from the 1000m in 1:04.2 and finishing off with 600m in 36.1.
It was excellent work by the Te Akau filly, who heads south at peak fitness for her big assignment. Stablemate Typhoon Lucy, who will stay local for Saturday’s Te Rapa meeting, also worked well.
Wexford Stables’ 1000 Guineas pair, second favourite Fiamma (Mullineaux) and $10 fancy Dashing Dixie (Goldsbury), also impressed as they cut out a solid 1000m in 1:02.8, the final 600m in 36.2. Both have made good progress since their last-start efforts behind Asturia in the Soliloquy Stakes.
Bright Stripes (Azrul) was paired with Towering Vision (Hassman) over 1000m in 1:04.5, with their final 600m in 36.2. Te Rapa entry Getaway (L Pertab) and Brewster (Prastiyou) worked well over the same ground in 1:04.2 and 35.8.
Recent debut winner Saja (Holliday) went with fellow Te Rapa entry Le Fleur (Ho) over 1000m in 1:04.8 and 36.6, while Inside Out (D Weatherley) and Dicko’s Dance (Watt-Wright) were unextended over the same ground in 1:06.8 and 38.2.
Te Rapa entries Ploy (E Smith) and Manolete (Clapperton) looked bright in their work over 1000m in 1:05.2 and 36.8. Ruby Rush (Mullineaux), who has had two trials ahead of her return to racing at Te Rapa, got through 1000m in 1:05.6 and 37.2, while Fiesta (D Weatherley) and Red Pearl (Watt-Wright) recorded 1:07.4 and 37.2.
Others to work steadily over 1000m included Lodi Dodi (Paswan), who recorded 1:09.8 and 39.2, In Too Deep (Jodha) took 1:10.2 and 39.6, and Vickezzlastcall (Melvin) 1:09 and 40.2.
Over 800m Te Rapa juvenile candidate Helena Belle (Mullineaux) was paired with General Menari (Goldsbury) in 51 and 37.2, and Tauherenikau Sunday entries Power Of Pleasure (Hassman) and Love Rules (McNab) ran a smart 51.4 and 36.