Racing: Pair handle heavy track ahead of engagements

Mrs Myth and Rhythm Method handled heavy track conditions well at Matamata yesterday as they prepared for weekend racing.

Working 25 metres out on the course proper, Mrs Myth was travelling strongly alongside Phillipa Glass at the end of a solid round, the last 1200m in 1:24.7 and 600 in 42.3. Mrs Myth, a past winner on the track, looks close to peak fitness for Ellerslie on Saturday.

Rhythm Method also got through good work, 1200m in 1:26.3 and the final 600 in 42.4. Sheka, a runner at Hastings tomorrow, and Veil hit the line well after 600m in 42.2.

Freestyler, who is now with Craig Thornton, looked bright when sent over 1000m in 1:12.6, the last 600 in 42.3. Blu Tsunami covered the same distance in 1:11.2 and 42, while Putrajaya ran his last 600m in 42.2.

On the sand, Riccarton-bound Viaggio was unextended to cover 1200m in 1:29.3, quickening readily for a final section in 41.4.

Xcellent strode over 1200m in 1:21.9, the last 600m in 37.6, while stablemate Clean Sweep ran her 1000m in 1:06.2, the final 600 in 37.2. Both group one winners are coming along pleasingly.

Kingsborough worked well over 1000m in 1:07.7, the 600 in 38.2. Kiwi King and an Istidaad filly covered the same ground in 1:05.6 and 39.2.

Ellerslie maiden candidate Tabeela was not extended over 1200m in 1:30.2, the 600 in 42.8. Takapuhi got over the same ground in 1:21.2 and 38.2, while Imperial Warrior clocked 1:23.2 and 41.

Eloa came in from the 800m in 56, quickening for a final 600 in 40.5. Kintyre Lil began steadily to run 1000m in 1:16.2, with the last 600m in 37.8.

Boudi Woudi ran her last 800m in 54.5, the 600 in 39.6, while The Shoe and Algorithm took 39.2 for their last 600m.

On the all-weather track, Rely On Me wasted no time over 1200m in 1:16.4, the final 600m in 37.2.

Elianto promised further good form at Ellerslie on Saturday judged by her work in testing conditions at Takanini yesterday. Fog prevented much timing.

Galloping 9m out on a slushy No 1 grass, Elianto finished 1000m in 1:9.6, the last 600 in 44.2.

Grani completed 1200m in 1:29.4, the last 1000 in 1:10.7 and 600 in 41.6.

He is holding his condition well.

Rose Of Arcadia revelled in the conditions to run the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:26.2 and 600 in 44.1.

Ocean Rules led Montreal Gold in the finish of 1200m in 1:26.6, the final 600 in 43.

Surprizerphew covered 1200m in 1:29.2, the last 600 in 43.9.

Stellar Anne ran the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:353, increasing pace from the 600m to finish that section in 42.5.

Astaire was in good form during a quiet session at Cambridge.

Working on the outside of a heavy No.4 grass Astaire, an in-form runner preparing for Ellerslie on Saturday, was sent l200m at three-quarter pace increasing speed over the last 600m in 39.

Spectrak covered l000m in a comfortable l:ll, the final 6oom in 42. Last-start winner Twochiefsoneindian was timed from the l000m in l:9, finishing off in 43. Te Maika and Gemset were together throughout l000m in l:l0, the last 600m in 40.

Figure of Speech left 600m behind in 42.3. Rapid Beat was not extended when completing 600m in 45.9.

Galloping on the No.2 grass, Orpington was sent 600m in 4l.l.

After steady overnight rain, most work at Te Awamutu yesterday was restricted to the sand.

However, on the No.1 grass, Willie Winit, who races over hurdles at Hastings tomorrow, went steadily over a round, the last 1000 metres in 1.13.

On the sand, Saphlaya and a Pins-Xmas Eve youngster went attractively over 1000m in 1.9. An O'Reilly filly sprinted the last 600m in 39.

Because of the conditions, most horses did pacework.