Racing: Floral Quest ready to bloom at weekend

Floral Quest showed his fitness for weekend racing when he worked in dashing style at Matamata yesterday.

Galloping on a fast plough, Floral Quest (C. Lammas) had the measure of Sosweetsofine (Alexander) at the end of a slick 1000m in 59.8, the final 600m in 35.8.

Royal Entertainer (McFetridge) continued his preparation for the Telegraph Handicap when he went with Sandcastle (Ritchie) over 1000m in 1:01.2, the last 600m in 35.7. Princess Coup (Sapsworth) and Skimmio (T. Harris) were also in brilliant form, running their 1000m in 1:02 and the final 600m in 35.9.

Last start winners Charliehorse (C. Ormsby) and Maz Quin (M. Innes) were paired over 1200m in 1:16.8, the last 600m in 36.2. Javeon (Alexander) and Veeipee (Dellow) began steadily to run 1000m in 1:04.5, quickening for a final section in 35.7.

In similar work Clifton Prince (McKay) and The Trickster (Tanner) took 1:03.8 and 36.4, while Dezigna (T. Harris) clocked 1:02.7 and 36.8. Everswindell (Colgan) and Baypoint (Ritchie) had pace on throughout 1200m in 1:15.6, finishing off with 600m in 35.6.

Over the same ground Awesome King (Gartner) returned 1:15.8 and 35.8., while Better Boy (C. Lammas) prepared for Ellerslie on Saturday with a more restrained 1:20.5 and 37.4.

Time Spent (Sapsworth) and You Are My Sunshine (M. Innes) left 1000m behind in 1:00.3, the final 600m in 35.2.

Arlingtonboulevard (T. Harris) and Pinstinct (Tan) got through 1000m in 1:05.8, the 600 in 38.

In his first hitout since returning to work, Xcellent (Coleman) ran from the 600m in 40.2. He looks very bright. Stablemates Blue Skies (Carmine) and Sweet Caroline (Davidson) were timed from the same mark in a brilliant 35.

Seventh Heaven (Dowling), looking fine after her Taupo Cup win, strode over 1200m in 1:18, the last 600 in 38.2. Over the same distance Love Bite (Marshall) and Game Call (De Klerk) took 1:19.2 and 38.3, The Big Hearted (Coleman) 1:24 and 41.2, Wolf Pack (Donoghue) 1:19.6 and 38, and Kash In Time (H. McQuade) 1:22.8 and 40.6.

Dahling (Pender) covered 1200m in 1:19.5, quickening over the last 600m in 36.8.

Virginie (Waddell) returned 1:23.2 and 38.2, Kirrabul (C. Ormsby) 1:27.2 and 43, Bashful (T. Thornton) 1:22 and 39.2, and Pineau (Coleman) 1:23.6 and 41.2.

Waitui Bay (Allpress) and Cape Merlot (Sliz) did sound work over 1200m in 1:19.8, the last 600 in 38.4. Lord Lowther (Davidson) and Sparks Will Fly (T Harris) took 1:20.5 and 37.6.

Reely Smokin (P. Ormsby) ran 1200m in 1:22.3, the 600 in 39.5, while Love Explodes (Davidson) clocked 1:25.8 and 41.2, and Aleutian (C. Lammas) 1:23.2 and 39.2. Every Reason (McFetridge) and Tuna Babe (Ritchie) ran from the 600m in 39.8.

On the all-weather track Logarhythm (Gillies) ran the last 1000m of his work in 1:09.7 and the 600 in 41.

* British Made and Laurette hit out attractively at Pukekohe yesterday though fog prevented much timing.

Working on a good plough, British Made galloped 1200m in 1:17.4, the last 1000 in 1:4.3 and 600 in 37. He looks as bright as ever.

Laurette did well for one of her class to run 1200m in 1:17.5, the final 600 in 36.8. Her latest efforts promise an early win.

Birthday Hill went 1000m in 1:7.1, quickening for the last 600 in 38.1.

Punt Higher was travelling strongly in the finish of 1000m with Coup Christchurch in 1:2.4.

Fog prevented a sectional tiime, as it did for Waikeepadacash, who returned 1:1.9 for his 1000. Tantalic completed 1200m in 1:17.4, the closing 600 in 38.4. He wants rain.

Cruncher and Sedecrem covered 1000m in 1:3.7, the last 600 in 37.4.

* Verna, a likely runner at Ellerslie this week-end, returned encouraging work at Cambridge yesterday morning. Galloping on a good plough Verna (Johnson) strode 1200m in 1:27.1, sprinting the final 600m in 40.2. She has improved with her recent fresh-up run.

Rapide (Zuppicich) was sent a comfortable 1000m in 1:16, coming home the last 600m in 44.6. Adamant Lad (Walsh) ran 1000m in 1:12.8, the final section in 41.8.

Hasta La Cia Cia (Calder), who is coming to hand well in a fresh preparation, was timed from the 600m in 41.

Sir Edward (Holmes) left 1000m behind in 1:11, the concluding 600m in 40.7. Platinum Place (Holmes) ran the fastest 600m of the session in 39.4. Susita (Ropiha) and Malta (Robson) matched strides over 1200m in 1:24.6, coming home in 40.7.

Working on the sand Mendent (Holmes) came in from the 800m in 50 and Calculate (McCarroll) completed 600m easily in 45.