KEY POINTS:
Kristov looked ready to justify his favouritism for tomorrow's Platinum Homes Tauranga Stakes when he galloped impressively at Matamata yesterday.
Working 28 metres out on a dead course proper, Kristov (R. Jones) had speed on from the 1000m, running that distance in 1:03.5 and the 600m in 37. He was travelling sweetly as he hit the line and is the one to beat in the Rotorua weight-for-age feature.
Irlanda (Dowling), the likely favourite for the John Warren Insurance 3YO at Rotorua, was restricted to 1000m in 1:16.2, quickening a little for a final 600m in 43.5. The Lance Noble-trained filly is in good order to complete a hat-trick on the weekend.
Race rival Veloce Bella (M. Brosnan) worked on the sand, where she cut out 1000m in 1:04.6 and 600m in 37.7. She too has trained on well from her last start win.
Madamvizelle (Betty) turned in pleasing work on the sand as she prepared for Rotorua with 1000m in 1:06.8 and a smart final 600m in 36.4. Adelariva (J. Collett) wasted no time over 1000m in 1:04.4, the last 600m in 36.2, while Zoe Quin (Hain) and Carmanere (Wenn) recorded an eye-catching 1:04.2 and 35.8.
Triplebank (S. Collett) was deceptive in his work over 1000m in 1:05.2 and 600m in 36.8. He had a slight setback following his impressive debut win several weeks ago but looks in good order for the Rotorua three-year-old feature.
Sands Of Time (Ritchie), the topweight for that race, was asked to stretch out over the last 600m of his work in 38.8.
Smartway (C. Ormsby) was allowed to quicken in her work with 1000m in 1:02.8 and 600m in 37.5. Keep The Passion (Rastrick), yet another for the Rotorua three-year-old event, was not extended over 1200m in 1:24.6 and 600m in 39.2.
Zergar (Sharil) left 1000m behind in 1:06.2, the 600 in 38, while Walsburgs Dream (Coxon) was keen over the same distance in 1:08.6 and 38.9.
On the all-weather track Cullen Light (Dowling) covered 1000m in 1:06.2, the last 600m in 38.5, while Awesome King (Hercock) took 1:07.6 and 39.2.
Cruz Control (Allen) finished her work with 600m in 38.5, and stablemates Barelli (Smellie) and Shotgun Start (M. Carston) clocked 36.2 and 37.5 respectively. Bellevue Lass (Dowling) finished her work with 800m in 53.3 and 600m in 38.
Back on the course proper, Everswindell (M. Carston) and Blastov (Smellie) reeled off 1000m in 1:05, the final 600m in 37.5. Bloody Mary (S. Collett) and The Plan (K. Jones) ran the same distance in 1:09.2 and 39.8, while Fiorenza (K. Jones) took 1:09.2 and 40.8.
Sweet Caroline (J. Collett) covered 1000m in 1:07.8 and 600m in 38.5, and Tinkerbeel (Gartner) ran 1200m in 1:22.8, the last 600m in 40.
* Vanak promised to quit maiden ranks at Te Awamutu on Sunday judged by his final gallop at Pukekohe yesterday.
Ridden by trainer Leanne Bertling and wearing blinkers, Vanak galloped 1000m on the all-weather sand in 1:3.5, the last 800 in 49.9 and 600 in 36.8.
Stablemate Post Romance (Bertling) was given an easier task, running her 1000m in 1:7.2, the last 600 in 39.1.
She was galloped on last time out after a smart first-up win.
Promethean (Yetton) was keen to go faster after a quiet 800m in 55.5, the final 600 in 41.1.
First Drinks (Rolston) worked at three-quarter pace from the 1000m, quickening only for the last 400 in 28.
Diamondsintherough (Rolston) covered 1200m in 1:23.4, the last 600 in 39 and looking good in the finish.
Valazar (Bertling) galloped 1600m, the last 1200 in 1:21.3 and 600 in 38.6.
