Racing: In the Rhythm for Te Rapa

Pentane strode over 1000m in 1:04 at Matamata. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Rhythm Method looked fit and ready for Te Rapa when he worked boldly at Matamata.

Most fast work took place on a good sand, with fog affecting the timing of many gallops.

Rhythm Method (Dowling) was travelling well at the end of 1200m on the sand in 1:23.8 and 1:08.6 for the only sectional time that could be taken. The Lance Noble-trained gelding is the lowest rated runner in tomorrow's Pencarrow Stud 2000, but his condition cannot be faulted.

Foxbridge Plate entrant Royal Secret (Ritchie) worked away steadily from the 1000m mark and had speed on for only the final 600m. She was travelling strongly when she emerged from the fog and will be an interesting runner in the weight-for-age feature.

Other Saturday acceptors that could not be timed but looked to be working well were the Lance O'Sullivan-trained pair Kenadaad and Spectralia. Sands Of Time (Ritchie) completed his preparation for the weekend with 600m in 41.8.

Viaggio (Davidson) did her final serious work for Te Rapa on the course proper, which was heavy 18 metres out. She was clocked over 1200m in 1:28.2 and 1000m in 1:11. Realign (Coleman) took 1:11.3 for the last 1000m of his work.

On the all-weather track The Gambler (Betty) recorded 1:07.2 for 1000m, while Genevra De Benci (Carmine) ran the same distance in 1:09.5 and 40.8.

Back on the sand Norfolk Dancer (Ramsay) looked close to race fitness when she cut out 1200m in a smart 1:15.2 and the last 1000m in 1:02.8. Cut The Cake (Coleman) ran his 1200m in 1:24.5 and 1000m in 1:08.4, while Resolution (Davidson) took 1:22.2 and 39.4.

Pentane (C. Ormsby) strode over 1000m in 1:04, the final 600m in 38.2. Jokers Wild (Coleman) was not pressured over 1000m in 1:10.2 and 600m in 39.7, while Sweet Caroline (Davidson) also did easy work to record 1:12.4 and 42.

Serenade (Gartner) ran 1200m in 1:25.6, the last 1000m in 1:09.8. Soelin (Wells) had an easy workout over 1200m in 1:29.8, the 1000m in 1:14.6. Stablemate Squall (Sapsworth) worked in similar style, clocking 1:19.2 and 1:11.6.

The Shoe (Coleman) stepped up his work-rate to cover 1200m in 1:22.8 and 1000m in 1:07.8, while Bob Blu It (M Brosnan) took 1:06.6 for 1000m and Charaad (Tetzlaff) 1:08.5.

* Moroa completed his fast work for Te Rapa tomorrow in pleasing fashion at Pukekohe yesterday.

Working on the all-weather sand, Moroa (Judy Collett) ran 600m under a firm hold in 39.1. Runner-up in his last three races, he should win race two.

The Collett-Hapeta stable's other runner, Bobby Dazzler (R. Collett) was given two rounds of pacework.

Something Magic (Udy) went quietly over 600m in 42.1. Tomorrow's race could be the last for the nine-year-old mare, she is booked to go to stud.

Ngahiiti (Udy) paceworked for a round and a half. She is very fit and could atone for recent defeats, especially with the likelihood of improved footing.

Gold Circle (Prangley) ran 1200m in 1:24, quickening for the final 600 in 39.

Thisonesonme (Prangley) ended 1000m in 1:8, the last 600 in 39.8.

Accardo (Hutchinson) covered 1000m in 1:6.5, the last 600 impressively in 36.5.

Johnnie Yetton (Yetton) strode 800m in 53.1, the last 600 in 39.2.

Vermont (Gordon) showed he was coming to hand well by sprinting 600m in 37.5.

* Jerry The Jet sounded a warning to his rivals at Te Rapa this weekend with an excellent work-out at Cambridge yesterday morning. Working on the outside of a heavy No.l grass Jerry the Jet (Walsh) travelled sweetly alongside stablemate Danny Cool (Whitworth) to complete 1000m in 1:4.9, sprinting the concluding 600m in 38.1. Both are in first-class order.

Galloping on the outside of the No.2 grass Castelli (Walsh) edged ahead of stablemate Call Me Cullen (Cully) near the end of 1200m in 1:23.5, the final 600m in 39.3. Runner-up in his only start to date, Castelli has gone on the right way in the interim.

Tuscaloosa (Lang) worked comfortably in from the 1000m in 1:11, increasing speed over the final 600m in 39.6. Twinkling (Norvall), who resumes on Saturday, worked in from the 800m with stablemate Overcast (Hofmann) in 54.8. Oh Buoy (Wood) was timed from the 1000m in 1:8.2, the last 600m in 41.1. Vision (Hills) was sent one round, covering the final 1000m in 1:13.3, the 600m in 42,8. Dead Common (Ropiha) came to end of a comfortable 600m in 43.3. Roman Cruise (McVean) returned 53.1 for 800m. Texas (Callaway) dashed 800m in 51.9.

Liberty Lad (Hills) cut out 1000m in 1:13, the last 600m in 42.1. Danz Star (Griffin) was well held over 1000m in 1:8.1, final section in 40.2.

Orderman (Ropiha) followed in 1:9 and 39.1. Willandra Prince (Dressler) completed 1200m in 1:24.2 and 42.2.

Keepalight (Walsh) worked over 800m in 53.2 on the sand.