Horses preparing for feature events on Te Rapa’s Living Legends raceday were the centre of attention at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Early gallops took place on the plough, however by the time the course proper came into play a heavy fog had descended and allowed only minimal timing.
On the plough, BCD Group Sprint favourite Grail Seeker (Tynan) was bright and bouncy as she strode over 1000m in 1:04.8, picking up the tempo to cut out the final 600m in 36.8. The O’Sullivan/Scott-trained mare has made excellent progress since her Telegraph win and is in capital order ahead of her attempt at a Group One hat-trick on Saturday.

Stablemate and race rival Waitak (Rastrick) wasn’t chasing time in his solo 1000m, which he completed in 1:06.4 and 37.2. He was doing his best work over the final stages of the Railway and should appreciate the step up to 1400m at Te Rapa.

The Cody Cole-trained Navigator (Harris) impressed in his work with fellow Te Rapa candidate Carajillo (Turner), reeling off 1000m in 1:03.8 and the final 600m in 36.2. Navigator added to his growing reputation with an unlucky third in the Telegraph and is right in the mix for the BCD Group Sprint.

Star three-year-old Savaglee (Allen) looked ready to take on older horses for the first time in the BCD Group Sprint when he and Lingjun Xiongfeng (Lerner) were paired in strong work on the course proper, but fog prevented any timing. The Pam Gerard-trained colt has done everything right since adding the Levin Classic to his record at Trentham last month.

Herbie Dyke Stakes favourite Snazzytavi had raceday rider Warren Kennedy in the saddle for her work on the course proper, where she could be timed only from the 1200m, completing the distance in 1:20.2 and finishing off full of running. Kennedy, who made a special trip to Matamata for the gallop, gave trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall a glowing report as she eyes her fifth consecutive win on Saturday.

Back on the plough, Prosegur (Rastrick) prepared for the Ellis Fillies’ Classic with striding work over ground, completing 1200m in 1:22.4, 1000m in 1:05.8 and the last 600m in 39. She will be an interesting runner in her first test past 1600m. Latrelle (Harris) and Sperlari (Turner), were in good form over 1000m in 1:02.6 and 36.5.

Lady Of Court (Hutchings) and Cognoscenti (VC Grylls) underlined their prospects at Tauranga on Friday when the cut out a smart 1000m in 1:03.6 and 35.8. Little Bit Of Love (Rastrick), another heading to Tauranga, was well-held over 1000m in 1:10 and 40.1, while Ladylou (Butler) and Full Of Courage (McCall) prepared for Friday with 1200m in 1:20.3, 1:04.5 and 37.

Others to work over ground included Naxos (Nishizuka) and Force Of Law (Allen), who recorded 1:25.2, 1:08.8 and 38.6, and Nasha Mala (A Jones) and Harvest Day (Parmar) in 1:22.4, 1:06.8 and 37.2.

Tanganyika (Farr) and Crackercol (Hutchings) completed 1000m in 1:07.6 and 37.9, Born To Be Royal (Hutchings) and Interpretation (Pinn) took 1:04.8 and 37.3, Blue Line (Allen) and Mineshaft (Nishizuka) 1:04.8 and 37.2, Ever Charm (C Grylls) 1:10.5 and 40, Colonel Warden (Bosson) and He Who Dares (Pinn) 1:06.3 and 38, Sethito (Hutchings) 1:08.6 and 39.2, Phantom Dragon (Dellow) 1:07.8 and 39.5, and Tristar (C Grylls) 1:11.2 and 40.6.

Class racemare Legarto (Elliot) stretched out well on the No. 1 sand, where she was timed over 1000m in 1:08.6 and 800m in 52.6. She appeared to relish her first serious hitout since returning to training with Ken and Bev Kelso and will further her preparation with a hitout between races at Tauranga on Friday.