By MICHAEL GUERIN
Two workouts that could hardly have been more different confirmed pacing's big guns are ready to fire.
The north's best pacers returned to the public arena on Saturday in preparation for the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park on September 22.
Kliklite and Mac De Stroyer made the most of their
handicap starts and edge in fitness to race clear in the main Pukekohe workout on Saturday, easily beating Holmes D G, Ouch, Hawera and Bogan Fella.
Kliklite won the 2600m workout over Mac De Stroyer, both pacers showing they will be a force in the early season features. But while beaten the big names looked right on target.
Trainer-driver Barry Purdon was thrilled with the run of Holmes D G after the Grand Circuit champion paced his final 2400m in a fast 3:2.7, his final 800 in 56.8 seconds.
"It was a great time for a first-up run," said Purdon.
"You don't really expect, or want, them to go any faster than that in their first run back."
Just as satisfied was Tony Herlihy, who piloted Ouch, one of Mark Purdon's three in the workout.
"He was parked for the last lap and fought on well while Hawera also went well and we thought Bogan Fella would need the run," said Herlihy.
The six who contested Saturday's workout are all likely to head to Alexandra Park this Saturday for their final lead-up to the Spring Cup.
While there was no mucking around at Pukekohe, matters were a little more relaxed when Yulestar started his campaign with a workout at Palmerston North yesterday.
The enormous gelding was had only two rivals in a 2500m mobile pace and considering he has won a Hunter Cup and they were class two pacers he may as well have been working by himself.
Driven by co-owner Ron Nolan the 6-year-old started well behind his rivals but strode to the front in the middle stages before racing clear in 3:14, his last 800m in a sedate 1:1.6.
But that time equates to around 3:6 for his last 2400m, a smart effort on the wet track with no real opposition.
"We were very happy with the way he went and that will improve him a lot," said trainer Lorraine Nolan.
The reappearance of the seven stars is great news for the ATC, as they guarantee the Spring Cup will be a drawcard and good betting race.
