Racing: Justa Tad displays form for Awapuni

Justa Tad returned an excellent semi-final trial for the Eulogy Stakes at Takanini yesterday.

Working 8m out on an easy No 2 grass, Justa Tad covered 1200m in 1:14.7, the last 1000 in 1:00.1 and 600 in 36.3. She completed her task effortlessly and promises another big race at Awapuni on Saturday.

Pacific Dawn came out much later in a busy session and covered her 1200m in 1:14.3. She went fast through the first 600m but did not slow appreciably to clock 38 for the final section.

Cheval De Troy went 1600m, the last 1200 in 1:15.4, 1000 in 1:2.6 and 600 in 38.1. Belle Femme galloped 1200m in 1:14.9, the last 1000 in 1:2.5 and 600 in 38. Pin High sprinted 1000m in 1:1.4, the last 600 in 36.6.

Power Ball, a stablemate of Justa Tad about to resume racing, managed 1000m in 1:2.7, the last 600 in 36.5.

Takitimu and Jiao Dragon completed 1200m in 1:14.9, the closing 600 in 38.3.

Unbeaten two-year-old Kindacross galloped brilliantly at Matamata yesterday as he prepared to extend his winning sequence at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Most work took place 15 metres out on an easy course proper, with weekend candidates Calveen, Penny Gem, That's Tops, Our Kitty, Matiri King, St Jessie, Brave Regent and Octapussy others who impressed.

Kindacross (T Harris) turned in an exceptional gallop when he led Kapsdan (Tan) to the end of 1000m in 1:04.2, the final 600 full of running in 35.7. The Mark Walker-trained two-year-old is in great shape to complete a hat-trick in Saturday's Fairview Ford Stakes.

Waikato Times Gold Cup lightweight Our Kitty (O'Sullivan) got through solid work over ground, running her last 1200m in 1:17.2 and the 600 in 37.6. Race rival Singing Star (C Lammas) was not extended over the same ground in 1:19.3, the 600 in 38.9.

Penny Gem (Coleman) was partnered by Genebel (Gedge) over 1200m in a smart 1:17.5, the 600 in 36.7. Calveen (L Innes), a rival for Penny Gem in the Gasmate Stakes, looked well in her 1000m workout in 1:05.4, the 600 in 37.9. St Jessie (Ritchie), another for the Gasmate, was travelling well outside Arniston (Weatherley) after 1200m in 1:17, the 600 in 37.5.

Brave Regent (Hales) did well to shade Brave Flyer (C Lammas) after 1200m in 1:16.5, the 600 in 36.8. Even though they had first use of the track, it was still good work.

Avondale Guineas candidate That's Tops (T Harris) had plenty in reserve after 1200m with Etoile Du Nord (Bell) in 1:18.8, the 600 in 37.6.

Matiri King (Colgan) led fellow Avondale Guineas candidate Stand Tall (Innes) at the end of 1200m in 1:17.9, the 600 in 37.6. Matiri King has gone on the right way in the past few days. Te Rapa juvenile candidate Volkskaap (B Lammas) and Kintyre Lil (Cheshire) ran in from the 600m in a smart 36.9.

Octapussy (Donoghue) looked well when leaving 1200m behind in 1:18, the 600 in 37.5. Roaring Jake (Brosnan) worked boldly over 1000m in 1:03.5, the 600 in 37.8. Illicitly (Hales) and Sabra (Anderson) caught the eye over 1200m in 1:18, the last 600 in 36.8.

Irish Sky (Cheshire) and Prickle (L Innes) covered the same ground in 1:20.8 and 36.8, while Eloa (Andrew) and Azapak (Teggert) clocked 1:19.6 and 37.5. Milzeel (Coleman) did good work to lead Artemesia (Gedge) over 1200m in 1:17.9, the 600 in 38.

Society Beau (Bell) and Darcybee (B Lammas) cut out 1200m in 1:17.6, the 600 in 37, while Call It The Blues (Coleman) had the better of Il Cognoscenti (Gedge) over 1200m in 1:17.9, the 600 in 38.2.

Like the Wind (Moody) took 1:22.7 for 1200m and 39.6 for the final 600, while stablemate Our Prized Rose (De Klerk) returned 1:17.7 and 39.2. Time Spent (Sapsworth) and Misspent (Allpress) worked well over 1200m in 1:19.2, the 600 in 37.6. Straight Eight (Russell) strode over 1200m in 1:19.2, the last 600 in 37.2.

Blue Tsunami (Andrew) ran 1000m easily in 1:06.8, the 600 in 38.2.