KEY POINTS:
Imananabaa continued her preparation for the Waiwera Infinity Railway Handicap at Ellerslie on New Year's Day when she galloped stylishly at Matamata yesterday.
Working on the all-weather track with raceday rider Cameron Lammas in the saddle, Imananabaa began at a steady rate from the 1000m mark to run
that distance in 1:06.4 and stepped up the tempo from the 600m in 37.6. It was good work from the filly who gained entry into the big sprint with her win at Ellerslie 12 days ago.
Last start Te Rapa winner Dezigna (Hillis) was accompanied by Multi Tasker (Anderson) over a soundly run 1200m in 1:16.8, stretching out well over the last 600m in 36.4. Dezigna is in excellent order for the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on Monday.
Volscar (B. Lammas) completed his preparation for Ellerslie tomorrow when he cut out the last 800m of his work in 53.2 and 600m in 39.
Most other work took place on a good plough, where the standout gallop came from Darci Brahma (T. Harris) and Shikoba (Upston). They ran 1000m in 1:03.8 with the final 600m in a brilliant 34.6. Shikoba will run at Tauranga next Tuesday on her way to the Thorndon Mile, while Darci Brahma is scheduled to trial a week later at Paeroa before resuming in the Telegraph Handicap.
Kurabeel (C. Ormsby), the likely favourite for the final event at Ellerslie tomorrow, strode through 1200m in 1:22.9, the final 600m in 38.7. She looks ready for the step up to a middle-distance.
City of Auckland Cup entrant Genebel (Coleman) had the better of See See Ryder (Allpress) over the concluding stages of 1200m in 1:17.7 and 600m in 37.8. Overflo (Weatherley), a form runner in the R92 1600 at Ellerslie, ran in from the 800m in 54 and 600m in 40.4.
Stablemate Blue Suede (Smellie) ran 1000m in 1:03.6 and 35.9, while Toomevara (M Carston) wore blinkers in his 1000m in 1:03.5 and 36.5. Stella Clark (Turner) was working well at the end of 1200m in 1:20 and 600m in 36.6.
Bonaichi (C. Ormsby) was travelling well alongside her Royal Stakes rival Keep the Passion (Rastrick) at the end of 1200m in 1:16.2, the final 600m in 36. Pentane (C. Ormsby), who will resume at Te Rapa in the second week of January, strolled over 1200m in 1:23.5 and 600m in 38.
Judgement Day (M Carston) completed his Ellerslie preparation with 800m in 50.2 and 600m in 40.5. Malissimo (Smellie) did similar work in 50.8 and 40.2.
* Race rivals Vivaldi's Gone and Cadillac both promised to continue in sound form at Ellerslie judged by their final trials at Pukekohe yesterday.
Working on the inside of a good No 1 grass, Vivaldi's Gone (Evans) covered 1000m with Gunners Gold (Fearon) in 1:3.2, the final 600 in 37.6.
Cadillac (Bertling) was given an easier task, striding 1200m in 1:22.9 and quickening for the last 600 in 38.6. Breezed (Yuill), who would not need to improve much to win tomorrow, covered 1200m, timed for the last 1000 in 1:3.2 and 600 in 38.
Ready To Fire (McDonald) looked ready for her middle-distance debut when running 1200m in 1:25.5, speeding up for the final 600 in 38.5.
Speedalot (Evans) showed her fitness for Monday when galloping the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:14 and 600 in 35.9. The Sadler (Yuill) ran the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:22.6 and 600 in 39.9. Rain would brighten his prospects.
* Gee I Jane sounded a warning to her rivals in Monday's big sprint at Ellerslie with an outstanding workout at Cambridge yesterday morning. Galloping on a good No2 grass with the markers out 10m Gee I Jane (Carlos) dashed 600 in 33.9. She is in first class order for the group one sprint.
High Octane (Robson) and La Force (Walsh) look fit for their Ellerslie engagements this weekend when matching strides over 1000 in 1.1.1, sprinting the concluding section in 35.5.
Bringbackthebiff (Miribelli) was sent 1200m in 1.18.5, coming home in 36.8.