Racing: Quick Lip brilliant ahead of Hastings feature

Hawkes Bay Cup candidate Quick Lip trialled brilliantly at Matamata yesterday ahead of Saturday's big race.

Quick Lip was sent over ground on the all-weather track and was timed to cover the last 1200m in 1:21.8 and the final 600 in 36.6. With regular rider Lance O'Sullivan riding in Sydney this weekend, no jockey has yet been engaged.

O'Sullivan's Rosehill mount Danazira was partnered by Fairy Tipsy in an impressive workout on the inside of an easy course proper.

The pair returned 1:15 for their 1200m, the last 600 in 36.8. Danazira was due to fly to Sydney later in the day and lines up in the group one Arrowfield Stud Stakes on Saturday.

Ellerslie maiden candidate Wait A Minute worked well with Syncamore over 1200m on the sand, which was dead, in 1:17.6, the final 600 in 38.8. Hedkandi turned in a good trial for Hastings when leading Knockem Down to the finish of 1200m in 1:20.8, the 600 in 38.6.

Upsetthym left 1200m behind in 1:20.6, the last 600 in 38.6, while Venus Was Her Name turned in good work over 1200m in 1:22.2, the 600 in 38.8. Zafar continued his Sydney preparation with an easy 1200m in 1:29, the 600 in 44.8. Stablemate Bahira, who races next in the Easter Handicap, was even less hurried over 1200m in 1:34.4, the 600 in

46.8.

Kajema, who races next at Ellerslie on Easter Saturday, strode easily through 1200m in 1:30.6, the last 600 in 43.4.

Count Trajan showed he was training on well when he ran the quickest 1000m at Takanini yesterday.

Working 6m out on an easy no 2 grass, Count Trajan finished his assignment in 1:2.2, the last 600 in 37.8. Cheetie, galloping much later when the track had cut out, was full of running after 1000m in 1:3.5 the last 600 in 38.3.

Tik Tak Wily after a slow start, did very well to finish 1000m in 1:2.6, the last 600 in 37.8.

Intriguing, another maiden, was impressive running 1200m in 1:18.1, the last 600 in 38.6.

All fast work at Avondale yesterday was done on the outside of an easy course proper.

War Paint was most impressive in preparation for his weekend assignment at Ellerslie.

Under a strong hold War Paint gave Oyster Bay a length start over 1000m recording 1:9.5 completing the last 600 together strongly in 38.0.

Also a contender for Ellerslie, Sweet Dancer worked well over 1000m. Carrying a heavier weight Sweet Dancer was on even terms with Ellie Commander returning 1:5.4 and 37.8 for the final section.

River Chant was not pushed to run 1000m in 1:8.7 and the 600 in 38.9.

At Pukekohe, Colfax and Full Scale provided the best work, when galloping on a firm No 1 grass. The pair completed 1000m together in a steady 1:05, their last 600 in 37.1.

Two year old Dipped in Grey who races at Ellerslie on Saturday, worked over the same distance in 1:13, quickening over the last 600 in 37.5.

Another Ellerslie candidate, Memphis Blues went solidly over 1000m in 1:05, finishing the last 600 in 37.8.

Jack The Stripper covered 800m in 52.1 his last 600 in 37.5.

Black To Black and The Kid galloped over 1000m together in 1:05, their last 600 comfortably in 39.9.

Coup Ray wasn't extended when galloping over 800m in 58.2, his last 600 in 42.7.

Simply The Best and Polka returned a smart gallop at Cambridge. Galloping on the inside of an easy No 2 grass Simply The Best and Polka matched strides over 600m in 36.6.

On Spec followed with 600m in 38.8.

Spick'n Spandy held stablemate Tomechi when covering 800m in 50.2.

Sarah's Melody and Loose Archers were timed from the 600m in 38. Preferred Lies was sent 1200m in 1:15.8 with the 600m in 36.9.

One Of and Magic Rose returned the best time at Te Awamutu this yesterday.

Working on the outside of an easy No 1 grass, Magic Rose and One Of ran their 1000m in 1:3 the last 600 nicely in 37.8

Danceinthesun and Elevenses took 1:3.3 for the 1000m, the last 600 in 38.4.