Racing: British Ensign ready to go into battle

British Ensign and Benedict showed their fitness for Ellerslie Easter racing when they galloped impressively at Matamata yesterday.

Working 25m out on a slow course proper, British Ensign (Rastrick) and Benedict (C. Ormsby) matched strides over 1200m in 1:21.4, the last 1000m in 1:07.4 and 600m in 39.6.

British Ensign is in good order as he attempts to improve on his third placing in last year's Easter Handicap. Benedict looked promising in his recent debut third and will line up in Saturday's 1600m 2-year-old feature.

Easter Handicap candidates Temple Hills (C. Ormsby) and Vaalu (Gray) were keen in the early stages of their 1200m workout and completed the journey in 1:18.6, the last 1000m in 1:04.8 and the 600m in a weakening 40.2. Jim Gibbs is dubious about Vaalu's chances of making the weekend feature given the weather outlook.

Steal The Glory (Coleman), another Ellerslie 2-year-old entrant, worked well when shading promising maiden Danska Mill (Collett) at the end of 1200m in 1:21.2, the 1000m in 1:05.8 and 600m in 39.2.

Thats Tops (Walker) led Bankside Boy to the finish of 1200m in 1:21.5, the last 600m in 40.2, while Valley Chief (M. Brosnan) strode over the same ground in 1:25.8 and 41.6, and Brisbane-bound Arabian Nights (Allen) took 1:23.9 and 39.4.

Ellerslie weekend candidates Kirra Sand (Russell) and Tinkerbeel (Ramsay) cut out 1200m in 1:21.9, the 600 in 41. Bashful (C. Ormsby) began steadily to run 1000m in 1:07.7 and quickened for a smart final 600m in 38.2.

Mohican Brave (T. Thornton), who is making pleasing progress with new trainer Danica Guy, was partnered by promising 3-year-old Easy On The Eye (Swan) over 1000m in 1:06.9 and 600m in 38.8.

Recent trial winner Loaded Command (Russell) turned in good work for Ellerslie with 1000m in 1:03.9 and 600m in 38.2. Solar Eclipse (H. McQuade) and Falt Homes (K. McQuade) got through 1000m in 1:09.4, the 600m in 40.2.

Royal Entertainer (Allen) and an Al Akbar gelding (Ritchie) ran from the 800m in 53.2, with the last 600m taking 39.3. Mellicious (M. Carston) and Wantitoshine (Ritchie) ran the same distance in 54.5 and 40.2.

On the sand, which was good, Better Boy (C. Thornton) and Pelagic (K. Jones) worked boldly over 1200m in 1:17.6, the last 1000m in 1:03.8 and 600m in 38.6.

Goldsinga (Coleman) prepared for Ellerslie on Monday with 1000m in 1:09.2 and 600m in 41. Sea Me Starkers (Ritchie) dashed over the same distance in 1:02.2 and 36.4, while Waitui Bay (Tynan) took 1:23 for 1200m and 39.8 for the final 600.

Tudor Princess (McKay) and a Marauding gelding (Tanner) ran their 1000m in 1:03.6, the last 600m in 38.4. Campari Belle (Coleman) took 1:06.8 and 38.8, and Lebanese Lawn (Ricthie) ran her last 800m in 53.1 and 600m in 38.8.

* Hasta La Ciao Ciao was in fine form at Cambridge yesterday morning when working on a soft No 4 grass. Hasta La Ciao Ciao (Calder) strode nicely over l200m, sprinting the concluding 600m in 37.9.

You're My Angel (Seguin) and Verna (Clarke) matched strides over l000m in l:9, the final 600m in 39.4. Gaze (Calder) and Asmahan (Whitworth) left l000m behind in l:8.2, coming home in 39.3.

Aukay (Wood) was comfortable throughout l000m in l:ll, the concluding 600m in 40.2. Molta (Walsh) had stablemate Kaapsise (Satherley) for a companion over l000m in l:9, the final section in 40.6. Tony the Pony (Gedge) and Bling Bling (Parish) sprinted 600m in 38.7.

Texas (Callaway) came in from the 600m in 38.9. Sun Hawke (Satherley) and Howmuchyacharging (Crawford) were timed from the 600m in 40.4. Whero (Lang) ran l000m in l:8.7, the final 600m in 39.6. Murali (Gillies) completed l000m in l:9, the final 600m in 40.2. Auckland Blues (Gedge) and I Rock My World (Parish) were together throughout l000m in l:8, the last 600m in 37.9.

Shereigns (McVean) sprinted the final 600m of work in 39. Twochiefsoneindian (Edmonds) covered 800m in 53.6. Abitoffun (Wood) returned l:8.5 for l000m, the last 600m in 39.4.

Tusker (Walsh) left l000m behind in l:8.l, the concluding section in 39.8. I'llthinkaboutit (Tata) and Matata (Satherley) worked in from the 600m in 40.4. Flirtatious (Johansen) ran a solid l00m in l:6.5, finishing off in 39.3. Keepalight (Crawford) and Cadre Noir (Gillies) were comfortable throughout l000m in l:l3, the final 600m in 43.4. Dieamillionaire (Edmonds) ran the last 600m of work in 4l.

* Easter Handicap topweight Cog Hill strode out impressively on a dead sand at Pukekohe yesterday.

Ridden by Leith Innes, Cog Hill galloped 1200m in 1:17.2, the last 1000 in 1:3 and 600 in 37.

Blue Ranger looked ready to resume racing at the weekend judging by his work. He set off at the 1200m and cut out his last 1000 in 1:2.7 and 600 in 36.7, smart times with Shane Udy aboard.

Time Warp covered 1000m with Fuelled in 1:3, the final 600 in 37.7.

Towzee and Tight Genes completed 1000m in 1:3.4, the closing 600 in 37.

Post Thyme and Vanak finished their 1000m in 1:3. the last 600 in 38.

British Made looked as well as ever when running 1200m in 1:19.2, the last 600 in 38.5.

Speedalot went 800m, timed for the last 600 in a smart 36.2.