Three-year-olds preparing for Champions Day lead-up races at Ellerslie on Saturday took attention at Matamata this week, beginning with the Wexford Stables contingent for Avondale Cup and Guineas day who did their serious work on Monday.
On a good plough, Checkmate (Hashizume) and Sethito (Tynan) were never at top over 1000m in 1:06.4, finishing off with 600m in 39.2. They are both confirmed for the NZB Kiwi and will be rivals in Saturday’s Uncle Remus Stakes.
Stablemates also entered for the Uncle Remus included Tristar (Mullineaux), who was paired with Grande Gallo (Farr) in impressive work over 1000m in 1:03.8 and 37.1. Likewise, Uncle Remus entry Hankee Alphee (Hashizume) worked with older stablemate Tanganyika (Farr) in a soundly run 1000m in 1:04.2 and 37.
Ellerslie two-year-old candidate Yamato Satona (P Singh) was paired with Pukekohe Sunday entry Who Rox The House (Tynan) over a sound 1000m in 1:03.4 and 36.9. Yamato Satona has been placed in all three of his trials, while Who Rox The House’s two raceday placings give him strong claims for his maiden assignment.
On Tuesday morning the plough was dead after overnight showers, while the course proper 20 metres out had the sting out of it’
Avondale Cup candidates Arby (Parvee) and Midnight Blue (Bosson) galloped over ground, picking up the tempo for a strong final 1200m in 1:17.2, the last 1000m in 1:03.4 and 600m in 37.6. Both horses are in good order for the major Auckland Cup lead-up.
Australian stayer Interpretation (Bosson) looked on target for the Avondale Cup and beyond when he completed his work impressively with Otaki two-year-old candidate War Of Silence (Doyle) over 100m in 1:06.2 and 38.8. Avondale Guineas entry Hakkinen (Bosson) was in good form in his work with Otaki weekend candidate Aotea Lad (Doyle), leaving 1200m behind in 1:20.2, the last 1000m in 1:05.7 and 600m in 37.9.
Quali Al Farrasha (Bosson) looked bright as she prepared for the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic at Ellerslie with Lightning Dream (Doyle), cutting out 1000m in 1:04.5 and 37.5. Uncle Remus Stakes entry Move To Strike (Doyle) and Age Of Discovery (Bosson) ran 1000m in 1:05.9 and 37.5, while Island Life (Ritchie) and Romanin (Ramsay) were paired over the same distance in 1:07.2 and 37.8.
Promising filly Superior (J Singh) and Carooba Mawhooba (Burdan) took 1:08.8 and 38.3 for 1000m, Sense Of Timing (Doyle) and Queen’s Evidence (Bosson) returned 1:05.4 and 37.2, and Live On Air (Olney) 1:12 and 41.4. Mi Bella (Halliday) and Channel Surfer (Fawcett) were unextended over 1200m in 1:23.5, 1:07.3 and 39.
On the plough, When Stars Align (Bosson) wasted no time over 1000m in 1:03.8 and 36.4, while Latrelle (Harris) returned 1:054 and 37.6, Santorelli (Bosson) and Matakana Girl (Amin) took 1:05.9 and 39.6, Ring Jessie (Turner) and Bannen (Butler) 1:08.2 and 39.5, Egyptian Queen (Bosson) 1:04.2 and 37, and Lady Grey (Wratten) and Lotus Again (Halliday) 1:12.2 and 41.8.
Bradley (Harris) and Mapalicious (Turner) worked over ground and were timed from the 1200m in 1:21.2, 1:06.8 and 37.6. Savaglee (Allen) stretched his legs over a three-quarter-pace 1000m, looking fitter for his third placing in last week’s BCD Group Sprint. It has been confirmed that Melbourne-based Kiwi jockey Mick Dee will ride the Pam Gerard colt in the Australian Guineas on Saturday week.
On the No. 1 sand, Vendabelle (Turner) and Santa Catalina (S McKay) left 1000m behind in 1:04.2 and 37.8.