Racing: Matamata full of strong Telegraph candidates

The dominant hand held by Matamata stables in the Telegraph Hcp was underlined when several candidates for the Trentham sprint worked brilliantly yesterday.

Most work was on a good plough, while the firm course proper and all-weather track were also in use.

Dezigna and Clifton Prince went a bold gallop on the course proper, working from the 1000m in 1:02.8 and from the 600m in 36.2. Both hit the line strongly.

Clean Sweep ran the fastest time on the plough when she led Fasliyitsa to the end of a brilliant 1000m in 59.8, the final 600 in 35. Her connections have their fingers crossed for a start in the Telegraph.

Devoted, the unluckiest runner in the Railway Handicap, impressed when he led race rival Vaalu after 1200m in 1:14.2, the 600 in 35.5. Martique, who will be Chris Munce's mount in the Telegraph, worked with Maroofity over 1200m in 1:15.8, the 600 in 35.3.

John Sargent's Telegraph pair Shastri and Opiki had speed on throughout 1000m in 1:01, with a final 600 section in 35.4. Blue Tsunami was also in dashing form with 1000m in 1:00.4 and a final 600 in 35.3, while Sarah Vee took 1:01 and 35.5.

On the plough Arlingtonboulevard shaded Distinctly Secret after 1200m in 1:18.6, the 600 in 36.2., while Basra was comfortable throughout her work on the course proper, 1200m in 1:21.4 and 600 in 39.4.

Race rival Belle Of Marju got through her task well on the plough to clock 1:18.7 for 1200m, the 600 in 36.8. Danex shaded Bible Class over 1200m in 1:15.8, the 600 in 36.2.

Singing Star and Kerry OReilly were well matched over 1200m in 1:16.4, the 600 in 36.8. Upsetthym, who will line up against Singing Star in Saturday's Trentham Stakes, cut out 1200m with deceptive ease in 1:16.9 and 36.

Wakefield Challenge Stakes favourite Kindacross, who worked brilliantly on Saturday morning, was let off with 1000m in 1:13.3 and a final 600 in 41.2. Bhandara continued her Thorndon Mile preparation with 1200m in 1:20.2, the 600 in 37.8.

Avondale candidate Desperate was not pressured to run 1000m in 1:04.6, the 600 in 37. Hatepe and Bering Island showed they are both coming to hand well when covering 1200m in 1:20.8, the last 600 in 36.6.

Bankside Boy prepared for Trentham by leading Tinkerbeel to the end of a solid 1200m in 1:1:15.9, the 600 in 36.6. Eloquent Dancer also worked strongly over the same ground in 1:17.5 and 36.8.

Elbaz Belle and Cat Saga were paired over 800m in 51, the last 600 in 37.5. Dandridge left 1200m behind in 1:18.2, the 600 in 37.5, while What A Dilemma ran the last 1000m of her work in 1:03.4 and the 600 in 37.2.

Comical Ali took 1:04.5 for 1000m, the 600 in 37.8, Florida clocked 1:09.2 and 37.4 and Raadisi 1:06.4 and 36.8. Recent Sargent stable newcomer Showgirl progressed with 1200m in 1:17.4, the last 600 in 36.6.

On the all-weather track Wellington Cup hopeful Envoy finished his work with 1200m in 1:19.8 and 600 in 38.6.

New Zealand Oaks runner Justa Tad was her usual brilliant self on a fast plough at Takanini yesterday.

The filly worked slowly away from the 1400m and accelerated at the 1000 to finish in 59.7, the final 600 in 35.3.

Australian sprinter Recurring started quietly at the 1000m and quickened at the 600 to finish in 1:7.2, the final section in a slick 34.7.

Justee showed her usual dash to end 1000m in 1:1.8, the last 600 in 36.7.

Power Ball galloped 1000m nicely in preparation for Avondale, recording 1:1.9, the closing 600 in 36.8.

Sarajay sprinted 1000m in 1:2.7, the last 600 in 36.1.

Ima Tycoon, improved by recent racing, covered the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:16.7 and 600 in 37.4.

Milena continued her promising recent work by running 1000m in 1:2.7, the last 600 in 36.4.

Last-start winner Mr Multiwin returned an excellent gallop at Cambridge in preparation for Trentham on Monday.

On a firm plough, Mr Multiwin kept up a strong rate over 1200m in 1:13.5, sprinting the final 600 in 36. He is in first-class order.

Sahara Flight worked well with stablemate Misraad, being times from the 1400m in 1:29.6, the 600 in 38.1.

Clarissa, who will also line up in the Oaks, came in nicely from the 600 in 37.1. Spinning Meteor and Murali were 1200 in 1:19.5, the final 600 in 41.

Platinum Jet worked in from the 1000m in 1:5, the 600 in 39.4. Flying Finish completed 1400m in 1:30.6, coming home in 41. Just Jeff and Senor Later dashed 1000m in 1:1, the concluding 600 in 36.7. Matua Bay went the final 600 of work in 39.9.

On the sand, Winter Chill and Free Sea matched strides over 1000 in 1:3, finishing off in 40.1.

Taden worked attractively at Te Awamutu.

On a good plough, Tadan was finishing strongly at the end of a 1000 run in 1:2.1, the 600 in 35.9.

Skyward and Sand Spirit were doing their best work at the finish of a 1000 run in 1:2.9, the 600 in 34.9.

Anden took 1:3.8 for 1000, the 600 in a smart 35.7. Richter Pass and Prized Lady worked evenly over 1000 in 1:4.4, the 600 in 37.8. Lamond ran 1000 in 1:5.8, the final 600 in 36.1.