KEY POINTS:
Kristov turned on the horsepower at Matamata yesterday morning as he prepared for Ellerslie on the weekend.
On a good plough, Kristov (Saad) was well held over the early stages of 1000m in 1:06.2, but was impressive when allowed his head over the final 600m, stopping the clock
at 34.8.
Kristov has recovered from a slight setback following his last-start disappointment in the Waikato Draught Sprint and will have the benefit of Salemon Saad's apprentice claim in the Winning Edge Presentation Mile tomorrow.
Satinka (Turner) also looked bright in her final work for the weekend when she covered 1200m in 1:19.4, the last 1000m in 1:05.6 and 600m in 37.2.
Her match-up with leading 2-year-old colt The Pooka in the Ford Diamond Stakes will be interesting.
Another for that race, last start winner El Cuento (J. Collett), was not after time over 1000m in 1:08.8 and 600m in 38.7. Likely Starcraft Stakes favourite Sharvasti (Smellie) looked well when let off with 800m in 58.4 and 600m in 43.2.
Shikoba (T. Harris) prepared for Hastings tomorrow with 1200m in 1:21.5 and 600m in 38.4, while race rival Valley Chief (M. Brosnan) cut out the same distance in 1:22 and 38.8. Both horses will be hard to beat in the open 2000m at Hastings.
New Zealand Oaks candidate Zygadene (Sapsworth) had pace on throughout her work over a round and was timed over 1000m in 1:04.2 and 600m in 37.6, while Fuar (Upston), another from the Walker team heading to Trentham, took 1:28.2 for 1200m and 43.2 for the last 600m.
Play Me (K. Jones), an interesting runner at Ellerslie, was partnered by Twirlaway (Hayes) over 800m in 53 and 600m in 38.3.
* Needuask looked a sound prospect for Ellerslie tomorrow after a pleasing final trial at Pukekohe yesterday.
Working on the all-weather sand, Needuask (Bradley) was travelling especially well in the finish of 1000m with The Winger (Spratt) in 1:3. They weren't fast early and were steadied to run the final 600 in 38.3.
Jaca Rema (Poulson), who galloped brilliantly on Tuesday, was kept to 1:7.8 for 1000m and 40.7 for the last 600.
* Starcraft Stakes candidate Zilzie returned impressive work and Hawkes Bay aspirant Lord was also in fine form when working on a good plough at Cambridge yesterday.
Zilzie (Elliot) was galloping strongly throughout 1000m in 1:4.6, sprinting the concluding 600m in 36.8. She has thrived since her last-start win at New Plymouth.
Lord (Callaway) , who races in the 3-year-old rating 76 over l600m, looked close to regaining winning form when galloping with Sirius (Mansen) over 800m in 46.4.
Fascinator (Norvall) ran a leisurely 1400m in 1:49, speeding up over the final 600m in 38.9.