KEY POINTS:
Kristov is preparing well for Saturday's Tauranga Classic and appears to be getting better all the time.
Rotorua rivals Irlanda and Waitui Storm drew attention to their weekend prospects when they worked together at Matamata yesterday.
Galloping 25 metres out on a dead course proper, Irlanda (Dowling) and Waitui Storm (Swann) were paired in a solid 1200m in 1:18.4, the last 1000m in 1:0.3.6 and 600m in 37.2.
Irlanda will be out to extend her unbeaten sequence to three in Saturday's three-year-old 1400m event, while Waitui Storm also appears to have trained on well since his fresh-up win last month.
Another for that race, Veloce Bella (J. Collett) went with Don Rossini (S. Collett) over 1000m in 1:05.8, the final 600m in 38. Veloce Bella confirmed her promise with an easy last start win at Ellerslie.
Kristov had raceday rider Reese Jones in the saddle as he prepared for Saturday's Tauranga Classic with 1000m in 1:05.8 and 600m in 37.4. He was never at top and is another who has gone on the right way since his last start win.
Sands Of Time (Smellie) showed his fitness for Rotorua when he led Pulborough (Allen) to the end of 1000m in a smart 1:02.7, the last 600m in 37.6.
Even allowing that they had first use of the grass, it was impressive work by Sands Of Time.
Takeitall (C. Ormsby) and Willie Ryan (Rastrick) cut out 1000m in 1:04.6, the final 600m in 37.4. Takeitall, a likely runner at Te Awamutu on Sunday, is a recent addition to the O'Sullivan-Scott team who has won his last three starts in Brisbane.
Adelariva (J. Collett) prepared for Rotorua with 1000m in 1:04.2, the last 600m in 37.8, while Time Spent (R. Jones) clocked 1:08.4 and 39.2. Overflo (R. Jones) took 1:21.2 for 1200m, the last 600m in 39, and Archilles (Weatherley) followed in 1:21.4 and 38.8.
Warlord (Rastrick) caught the eye when shading Keep The Passion (C. Ormsby) after 1200m in 1:17.6 and 600m in 37.8. Over the same distance Bellevue Lass (Gartner) and Cherry Blossom (Russell) clocked 1:19.9 and 38.5, and Sweet Caroline (Davidson) 1:23.2 and 39.4.
Media One (C. Ormsby) was not after time over 1000m in 1:13.2, the 600m in 41.8, while Seesee One (Bowman) and Oriental Lad (Wells) were timed from the 800m in 49.6 and the 600m in a smart 36.7.
Choices Are (Bowman) did some good work over 1200m in 1:21.5, the final 600m in 37.8. Uberalles (Sapsworth) strode over the same distance in 1:26.6, the last 600m in 41.8, and stablemate Nordia Belle (T. Harris) clocked 1:25.4 and 40.6.
On the sand Eye Me Up (S. Collett) was impressive when she led Triplebank at the end of 1000m in 1:02.5, the last 600m in 36.7.
Debut winner Triplebank never stars on the track but it was still good work by his companion, who will attempt to go one better than a recent second placing at Te Awamutu on Sunday.
Virginie (M. Carston), a runner at Awapuni tomorrow, ran home from the 800m in 51.5 and 600m in 38.5. Massive Heights (Wells) took 1:19.2 for 1200m and 37 for his last 600m, while over the same distance Tinkerbeel (Russell) recorded 1:20.6 and 39.8, Biggety Bones (Wratten) 1:26.8 and 41.4, West Eyes Black (Ward) 1:24.6 and 38.9, and Lady Attire (Sharil) and Mont St Michell (Davidson) 1:20.5 and 37.4.
On the all-weather track Sandcastle (Allen) had pace on throughout 1000m in 1:01.2, the 600m in 37. Surprise Packet (Allpress) and Buzzsoar (Reid) clocked 1:04.8 and 37.7.
* The Winger and Promethean galloped attractively together at Pukekohe yesterday.
Working on the all-weather sand, The Winger (Yetton) and Promethean (Rotherham) completed 1200m in 1:16, the last 1000 in 1:3 and 600 in 38.6.
First Drinks (Ralston), a rival for The Winger in the three-year-old race at Rotorua, covered 1000m in 1:4, the last 600 in a smart 36.3.
Valazar (Bertling) ran the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:18.2, the final 1000 with a Desert Fox filly (Hina) in 1:4.8 and 600 in 38.8.
Post Romance (Bertling) and Venak (Todd) finished 1000m in 1:4.2, the closing 600 in 37.2. Breezed (Yuill) covered 1000m in 1:3.5, the last 600 in 37.4, pleasing work for a maiden. Monecristo (Yetton) ended 1000m in 1:5.5, the last 600 in 39.5.
Mandela (Yetton), through his Melbourne campaign looking better than ever, paceworked twice round. The Avondale Cup probably will be his next race.
Working 7m out on a good No 1 grass, Magic Tryst (Ritchie) went 800m in 57, gradually increasing pace to run the last 600 in 39.8 and 400 in 24.
