Racing: Gomez well worth a shout

Gomez drew attention to his prospects at Ellerslie tomorrow when he worked impressively at Matamata yesterday.

Galloping 28 metres out on a heavy course proper, Gomez (Coleman) covered 1200m in 1:27.4 and maintained a solid momentum to cut out the final 600m in 40.6. Gomez has an ordinary formline but if he runs up to his work he is a likely outside prospect for the R76 1600 at Ellerslie.

Bellevue Lass (Dowling) worked well in preparation for Te Awamutu on Sunday when she partnered One Above Par (Russell) over 1000m. After giving her companion a start of several lengths she finished alongside in 1:07.8, the last 600m in 40.8. Bellevue Lass should strip fully fit for the R83 1400 on Sunday.

Congaline (Upston) and Steel Cart (Yamaguchi) covered 1000m in 1:06.8, the final 600m in 41.4.

On the sand, which was good, Avoca Lad (M. Brosnan) prepared for Te Awamutu with a sound 1000m in 1:06.8, the last 600m in 38.6. It's All About Her (J. Collett) caught the eye when clocking 1:08.2 for 1000m and 37 for the last 600m. She is coming to hand well for new trainer Jim Collett and could give some cheek at Ellerslie.

Delta Lady (M. Brosnan), a rival in tomorrow's R76 sprint, cut out 1000m in 1:06.6, the final 600m in 39.2. f

* Packsapunch completed his fast work for Te Awamutu on Sunday in fine style on a slushy sand at Pukekohe yesterday.

Ridden by co-trainer Shane Hapeta, Packsapunch sprinted 800 in 50.8, joining Ellerslie runner Colfax at the 600. The pair finished in 37.4. Colfax went 1000m altogether, clocking 1:5.

Tantalic was in his element in the conditions, running the last 1000m of 1200 in 1:3.3 and 600 in 37.8. A wet, loose track would help his chances tomorrow.

Senorita Ivory covered 1200m in 1:20, the last 600 in 38.7.

Sir Kinloch ran his 1200m in 1:20.4, the final 600 in 39.1.

A rival, Lazaros, paceworked twice round, trainer Don Dwyer saying the horse was ready for a forward showing first-up.

* In-form Ellerslie candidate Tuscaloosa went through his final preparation in fine style at Cambridge yesterday.

Working on a heavy No.4 grass Tuscaloosa (Lang) was untested over 1000m in 1:19, increasing speed to run the final 600m in 40.7. He looks at peak fitness for tomorrow's assignment.

Luscious Lass (Rishworth) was timed the final 600m of her work in 41. Tunzatime (Peters), a candidate for the two-year-old 110m at Ellerslie , sprinted 600m in 40.1. Proposition (Ropiha) left 800m behind in 56.9. Missy Elle (Johnson) returned 1:13.2 for l000m, finishing off in 41.6.