Racing: Top chances well primed for Te Rapa

Darci Brahma was in brilliant form at Matamata yesterday as he prepared for Saturday's Waikato Draught Sprint.

Galloping on a fast plough, Darci Brahma (Walker) was accompanied by Arlington Boulevard (Upston) over 1000m in 60.2, with the last 600m in 34.3. It was outstanding work by both horses and showed that they are right on target for the big day at Te Rapa.

Darci Brahma's race rival Xcellent (Coleman), who galloped impressively between races on the weekend, was given a less demanding workout, 1200m in 1:22.4, 1000m in 1:06.2 and the final 600 in 37.6. He also looks well primed for Saturday's clash.

Another for that race, Kristov (T. Thornton), was in dashing form on the all-weather track when sent over 1000m in 59.6, the last 600m in 34.5. He has thrived since winning at Awapuni last month.

Back on the plough Kerry O'Reilly (Nattrass) and Shikoba (Walker) were paired in a dashing 1200m in 1:15, the last 600m in 34.5. Kerry O'Reilly has freshened up well for Saturday's Whakanui Stud Stakes and Shikoba has made good progress since the Ellerslie double.

Pentane (O'Sullivan) gave Fancyfree (C. Ormsby) a start before finishing alongside at the end of a solid 1200m in 1:15.2 and 600m in 36.2. With Chad Ormsby under suspension, Pentane will be ridden by Michael Walker in Saturday's R94 2400m event.

Everswindell (Colgan) and Young Centaur (McFetridge) worked well over 1200m in 1:15.3, the 600 in 36.4, while stablemate Pulborough (Ritchie) took 1:15 and 35.4. Devoted (Cheshire) was not extended in his 1000m in 1:03, the last 600 in 37.4.

Sosweetsofine (Alexander) wasted no time over 1000m in 1:00.2, the 600 in 35.8. Waikato Draught Sprint candidate Dezigna (P. Ormsby) had no trouble running 1000m in 1:04.4 and 600m in 37.4. Promising 2-year-old The Leprechaun (Coleman) took 1:04.4 for 1000m, quickening from the 600m in 35.9.

Bazelle (De Klerk), looking improved for her exhibition gallop at Te Rapa last Saturday, continued her Whakanui Stakes preparation with an easy 1200m in 1:25.9 and 600m in 42.

The Bighearted (Coleman) strode over the same ground in 1:20.2, the 600 in 37.8, Wild Goose Chase (T. Thornton) took 1:24.5 and 38.9, Capitan (Sapsworth) 1:17.4 and 35.8, Tyson (McKay) 1:20.2 and 38.8, Tabeela (Coleman) 1:24.7 and 39.2 and Princess Coup (Walker) 1:27.5 and 42.7.

Imshi Tawakel (Alexander) and Javeon (Dellow) cut out 1000m in 1:02.2 and 600m in 35.8. Arniston ran the last 1000m of her work in 1:03, the 600 in 37.3, while Madamvizelle (Betty) clocked 1:07.3 and 38.5.

Imananabaa (Cheshire) ran from the 800m in 52.4 and the 600m in 37.5 and Squall (A. Carston) took 37.8 for her final 600m. Arabian Nights (Ritchie) prepared for Gisborne with 800m in 54.8 and 600 in 37.5.

On the all-weather track Miss Dux (Hercock) and Sandancer (M. Innes) covered 1000m in 1:07.2, quickening nicely for a final 600m in 36.8. Logarhythm (Gillies) ran the last 1000m of his work in 1:13.4 and 600 in 41.8.

* Sovereign highlighted a quiet morning at Cambridge yesterday.

Working on a firm plough Sovereign (Callaway) dashed 800m in 48.5. He looks in first-class order for upcoming engagements.

Fashionable Lass (Peters) and a Hunza Court gelding in Frank Ritchie's stable matched strides over 800m in 50.5.

Texas (Callaway) worked over 600m in 36.3. Free Sea (Chandler) , fresh from a successful Trentham campaign, covered l000m in a smart 59.9, the final 600m in 34.5.

Lucky Governor (Callaway) strode comfortably over l000m in l:l0, completing the final 600m in 39. Santoya (medium weight) clocked the last 600m of work in 39.4.

Galloping on the sand Abitoffun (Clarke) was comfortable at the completion of 600m in 42.4.

Last-start winner Chateau Cougat (Russell) and Tyler Tailor (Seguin) came to the end of 600m in 42.

I'm Harry (Gibbons) left l000m behind in l:6.6, the concluding 600m in 39. Just Curious (Crawford) was let off with a comfortable 600m in 43.6.

Altosino (Whitworth) and Dionysus (Calder) came in from the l000m in l:5.5, sprinting the final 600m in 36.6.

Purdie (McCarroll) and Sceal Ella (medium weight) worked over l000m in l:6, coming home in 39.l.

On a firm No l grass stablemates She Reigns (McVean) and She'salwaysawoman (Hofmann) returned l:22.6 for l200m, finishing off in 37.4.

* Riccarton visitor Hurrah attracted favourable attention at Pukekohe yesterday.

Ridden by co-trainer Ricky Carston, Hurrah galloped 1400m on the all-weather sand, the last 1200 in 1:18.5, 1000 in 1:4.4 and 600 nicely in 37.9.

He is in the north for the Whakanui Stud Stakes at Te Rapa on Saturday.

British Made strode 1200m in 1:20, quickening for the last 600 in 37.2.

Tight Genes and Little Jess cut out 800m in 50.3, the final 600 in 36.8.

Sedecrem, who will attempt to win Waikato's big 1400m weight-for-age race yet again, galloped with Promethean on a fast plough. Promethean started at the 1600m and joined Sedecrem at the 1200. They finished in 1:16.1, the last 1000 in 1:3.3 and 600 in 37.2. This was excellent work by both Richard Yuill-trained horses.

Tantalic ran the last 1200m of his 1600 in 1:17.1 and 600 in 38. Alberton Rose finished 1000m in 1:6.6, the closing 600 in 38.7.

* Rosetti Bay and Florella worked in fine style at Te Awamutu yesterday.

All gallops were on the plough.

Rosettie Bay (Casment) and Florella (Collins) took 1:3.6 for their 1000m, the last 600m nicely in 36.5.

Inazbeel (Hain) and Smiling David (G. Grylls) left a 1000 behind in 1:5, the final 600 in 36.9. Waikatea (Hounsell) ran a 1000m in 1:6.2, the last 600 quicker in 38.

Metexan (Casement) had little pace on early in his 1000 run in 1:7, the closing 600 quicker in 36.4.

Others timed over 600 included; Paramatta (Hounsell) 36.2, Tanzanite (Hain) and Octability (G. Grylls) 35.8 and Perretentiary (Holland) 39.3.