Racing: Alastro excites for Avondale

Alastro and On Spec were weekend runners who impressed in their final workouts at Cambridge yesterday.

Two-year-old Alastro, who races at Avondale, worked away steadily from the 1000m on a good sand and quickened for his last 400m in 25.

On Spec, a candidate for the Marton meeting at Awapuni, ended his gallop with 800m in 52. Django also did well over the last 600 of his work in 37.2.

Others timed from the 600m were Tuscany Heritage, 38.6; Shadowfax Babe, 38.2; Petrock, 38.2 and Doc Knapp, 38.1.

On the plough, Illicit Purpose wound up for Awapuni with 1000m in 1:9, the 600 in 39.9. Simons Water, a likely runner at Te Rapa on Wednesday, went 1200 with Light Rain in 1:20, speeding up from the 600 in 37.6.

Arctic Angel pleased with 1000m in 1:5, the 600 in 37.3. Tacit Approval looked in excellent order when paceworking once round.

At Avondale, War Paint and River Chant took time honours on the eve of their local meeting.

On a firm No 1 grass, they finished 800m on equal terms in a smart 49.1, the 600 in 35.3.

Bensheim and Paulannik ran 1000m in 1:4.4, the 600 in 35.8, both travelling well at the finish.

Bless looked fit for tomorrow when paired with Lady Tess over 1000m on a firm course proper in 1:7.1, the 600 in 37.9. Avon Grosve ended 1200 clear of Ashley Downs in 1:18.2, the 600 in 38.4.

Oyster Bay topped off a lap of the grass with a 600m dash in 36.3.

A quick 600m by Evel Tanker at Takanini suggested prospects again on her favourite track at Avondale.

On the outside of an easy No 1 grass, she finished her work with 600m in 38.4 - smart time so wide out.

Cyclades strode the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:22.9, the 600 in 42. Live By The Sword was travelling especially well at the end of 1600, the 1200 in 1:24.7 and 600 in 41.9.

Hot Topic worked much better than on Tuesday to lead an unnamed companion over 1200m in 1:22, the 600 in 40.3.

Rubbledum was one of several Avondale runners in action on an easy No 1 grass at Pukekohe, working steadily from the 1000m in 1:10, the last 600 quicker in 38.7.

Little Miss Veepee galloped 800m in 52.5, the 600 in 38. Strike Zone did similar work in 52.7 and 39.1, Kapai Sun easily in 54.1 and 40.4.

In preparation for Te Rapa on Wednesday, Honorun covered 1000m in 1:7, the 600 in 37.7. Another Te Rapa nominee, El Careto, and Big Red Al went 800 together in 51.

Beau Fighter did well over 1000m in 1:5, the 600 in 38.1. Rare Hero also returned 1:5 for 1000 but was slower from the 600 in 40.4.

Ruff Diamond galloped best at Te Awamutu, cutting out 1000m on the outside of an easy No 1 grass in 1:3.7, the 600 in 39.3.

Herbie ran an even 1000m in 1:6.5, the 600 in 39.4. Volksini covered 2000, the final 1000 in 1:8.3 and 600 in 39.8.

Wooden Masque and Traffic Stopper sprinted 600m in 38. Desert Romar did an easy 600 in 41.8.

Dingwall turned in a sound trial for Avondale 25m out on a heavy course proper at Te Aroha, galloping once round in 2:2, the last 1200 in 1:25.7 and 600 in 40.5. New Zealand Oaks hopeful Telsa did similar work in 2:18.2, 1:25.5 and 40.4.

Petersville, who races at Te Rapa on Wednesday, returned 1:21.6 for 1200m, the 600 in 39.2.