Racing: Darci Brahma in fine fettle as Otaki beckons

Darci Brahma was in brilliant form at Matamata yesterday as he prepared for the Family Hotel Weight-For-Age at Otaki on the weekend.

Galloping on a good plough, Darci Brahma (Walker) proved too good for Arlingtonboulevard (T. Harris) over 1200m in 1:14.6, the 1000m in 1:00.2 and the final 600m in 34.3. It was outstanding work and left no doubts that Darci Brahma has made excellent progress since his fresh-up Te Rapa run.

His victor in that race and a rival again, Kristov (T. Thornton), galloped as usual on the all-weather track, where he covered the last 1000m of his work in 1:02.6, the last 600m in 34.8. He looks as well as ever. Kerry O'Reilly (Coleman) prepared for Matamata on Saturday when he finished striding work with 1200m in 1:21.4 and 600m in 38.8.

Back on the plough, Princess Coup (R. Jones) looked ready for her home track meeting when she went with Squall (Walker) over 1000m in 1:02.8, the last 600 in 35.4. They will be rivals in the Robin, Duke of Bedford Matamata Breeders Stakes, as will Naturo (Waddell), who worked well with Mellicious (Ritchie) over 1000m in 1:01.4. Early fog prevented a 600m sectional time, but their last 800m took 48.6.

Pentane (C. Ormsby) and Waitui Bay (Tynan) set off at a fast rate on their way to running 1200m in 1:12.6 and did well to maintain that momentum over the final 600m in 36.2. Captain Kurt (T. Harris) looked ready to resume on the weekend when he led two-year-old candidate Habana (P. Ormsby) at the end of 1000m in 1:02.7, the last 600m in 35.4.

Our Kitty (O'Sullivan) appeared unbothered by whatever caused her late scratching on Saturday when she ran the last 1200m of her work in 1:18.6, quickening for a final 600m in 36.8.

Jokers Wild (Coleman) and Inertia (Carmine), two-year-old candidates for Saturday, cut out 1000m in good style in 1:02.5, the last 600m in 36.4. There was also plenty to like abut the work turned in by Redbreb (T. Harris) when he led Parsimanwin (Walker) over 1000m in 1:04.4, the final 600m in 36.8.

Valley Chief (M. Brosnan) and Patrol (P. Brosnan) ran a sound 1200m in 1:16.2, the 600 in 36.9, while Pulborough (Waddell) and Overflo (Ritchie) took 1:16.5 and 36.2, and The Bighearted (Coleman) and Lady Atire (Andrew) clocked 1:16.4 and 1:02.4 for the last 1000m.

Devoted (Cheshire) was never at top over 1000m in 1:03.8, the 600 in 37.4, while his Matamata sprint rival Dezigna (Gorham) went with Sir Sintillate (Waddell) over the same distance in 1:03.4 and 35.9.

Crepe de Chine (T. Thornton), who is set to resume at Ellerslie next week, was travelling well at the end of 1000m in 1:01.2, with no sectional time possible. Zarius (Sapsworth) another for the first day at Ellerslie on the way his way to the Auckland Cup, worked well over 1200m in 1:15.3 and 1000m in 1:01.3.

Shar Ari (Allpress) prepared for the weekend with 1000m in 1:04.5, the final 600m in 37.2. Over the same ground The Fuzz (R. Jones) took 1:06.4 and 39.4, Forceful (C. Hain) 1:03.6 and 38.8, Anton (Tetzlaff) 1:05.6, Madamvizelle (Betty) 1:03.6, and Tosto (T. Thornton) and Endorse (Tetzlaff) 1:03.4 and 37.

Matamata Breeders' Stakes entrant Jesterchine (C. Ormsby) was restricted to 1000m in 1:08.2 and 600m in 38.2, while Inshelucky (Cheshire) had more pace on when recording 1:03.2 and 36.7.

On the all-weather track Tyson (McKay) and Our Phantom Lady (Tanner) ran the last 1000m of their work in 1:03.2 and 600 in 37.4. Eternal Lee (Gillies) covered 1200m in 1:20.8 and the last 600m in 39.6, while Sandcastle (McFetridge) cut out 1000m in 1:03.2, the final 600m in 36.3.

* Riccarton filly Italia did not exert herself in training at Pukekohe yesterday but looked ready for another big race in the Matamata Breeders' Stakes. Fog prevented much timing.

Ridden by co-trainer Ricky Carston, Italia ran 800m on the all-weather sand with an unnamed Four Seasons gelding in the Clotworthy stable in 53.6, the last 600 in 38.7.

A rival, Rapid Rielle completed 1000m in 1:5.6, the last 800 impressively with Johnnie Yetton in 50.3 and 600 in 36.4.

Capital Hill hit out strongly to run the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:16.8 and 600 in 38.4.

Alberton Rose returned 1:16.4 for 1200m and 37.9 for the closing 600. Sedecrem covered 1200m in 1:17, the last 600 in 38.3.

Shezasport, another candidate for the big Matamata race, finished her 800m with Towzie on a good plough in 53.3, the final 600 in 38.2.

* Willie Smith was in excellent form when galloping on a good plough at Cambridge yesterday morning. Activity was restricted because of fog and a trials meeting later in the day.

Willie Smith (medium weight) hit out stylishly over 1600m in 1:43.7, the final 1000m in 1:1.2 and the last 600m in 36.

Viz Vitae (Calder) and Tommy (Hofmann) matched strides from the 1400m in 1:33.2, finishing off in 37.9. Sunrise (Houston) and Elpazza (Ropiha) completed 1200m in 1:18.7, completng the final section in 38.2. Chateau Cougat (Hills) had Abitoffun (Clarke) for a companion over 1000m in 1:5.2, the concluding 600m in 38.3.

Queen's View (medium weight) covered 800m at three-quarter pace, being timed over the last 600m in 42.8. Ladykin (Whale) ran the final 600m of a comfortable 1000m in 43.4. Flyin' Finish (Walsh) left 600m behind in 40. Condalisa (Erin) and Cadure Noir (Satherley) sprinted 600m freely in 36.3.

Galloping on the sand I'm Harry (Gibbons) covered 600m in 38.9.