Racing: Top Ellerslie candidates wrap up preparations

Mercedes Derby candidates Twopaddocks and Charliehorse looked the part at Matamata yesterday as they got through their final serious work before the Ellerslie classic.

Galloping on a good plough, Twopaddocks (Rastrick) strode over 1200m in 1:21.2 and came from the 600m in a deceptive 37.2. Charliehorse (Waddell) was given an easier task over the same ground, recording 1:28 for 1200m and 41.5 for the final 600m. Both horses are fit and well for their big assignment.

Peter McKay's two Mercedes Derby runners, Tyson and Bold Contact, were let off with striding work on the all-weather track. They finished their two rounds together keen to run faster than three-quarter-pace and will also strip at peak fitness on the weekend.

On the same track Kerry O'Reilly (Cheshire) continued his SkyCity Auckland Cup preparation by stretching out over the last 1200m of two rounds in 1:24 and quickening further over the final 600m in 41.2.

Race rivals Zarius, Genebel and Pentane all did their work on the plough. Zarius (Sapsworth), who lines up in the first day Nathans Memorial, pleased trainer Mark Walker with the way he got through 1200m in 1:25.6 and 600m in 42.2.

Genebel (Coleman) was doing her best work at the end of a solid 1200m in 1:17.3 and 600m in 37.5, while Pentane (C. Ormsby) ran the last 1200m of his work in 1:25.2 and 600m in 41.6.

Tsarina Belle (C. Ormsby) caught the eye when sent over 1000m in 1:04.9, the last 600m in 37. She is in good order to resume in the Kings Plate. Race rival Crepe de Chine (T. Thornton) did similar work to record 1:05.8 and 37.9.

Ellerslie two-year-old candidate The One (Coleman) looked well when striding over 1000m in 1:08.6 and 600m in 39. Kay's Awake (Tanner) and Our Phantom Lady (McKay) ran the same distance in 1:05.6 and 38.8, while Vaalu (Cheshire) took 1:04.8 and 38.

Darci Brahma (Walker) appeared to have come through his big weekend win in good shape when running an easy 1200m in 1:30.8 and 600m in 43.8. Trentham runner Everswindell (M. Carston) ran from the 800m in 48.8 and 600 in 35.2, while stablemate and race rival Sharvasti (Ritchie) ran her final 600m in 41.2.

Bazelle (De Klerk) continued her preparation for Ellerslie's final day Starcraft Stakes with 1200m in 1:24.8 and a final 600m in 40.2. The Bighearted (Coleman) covered the same distance in 1:24.8 and 39.3, That's Tops (T. Harris) and Kittybird (Yamaguchi) took 1:22 and 37.4, and Temple Hills (Rastrick) 1:30.2 and 44.

* Black Panther finished his final fast training for the Mercedes Derby in approved manner on a slow sand at Pukekohe yesterday. He has worked in blinkers this week and will wear them tomorrow.

But he was only marginally more impressive than Abbey Drive and Gallions Reach, the other two horses Richard Yuill will saddle in the classic at Ellerslie.

Grant Cooksley rode all three over 1600m though none was asked for too serious an effort so close to race day.

Black Panther covered the last 1200m in 1:20.1, 1000 in 1:6.6 and 600 in 39.5.

Abbey Drive ran his final 1200m in 1:20.3, 1000 in 1:7.2 and 600 in 40.

Gallions Reach took 1:22.8 for his last 1200, 1:8.8 for the 1000 and 40.9 for the 600.

Jaca Rema was again sharp, running 1000m in 1:3.5, the last 600 in 36.9.

St Verdi sprinted 800m with Ciccone in 51.8, the final 600in 37.9.

British Made strode 1200m in 1:20.5, the last 600 in 38.8.

* The Guitar Man looked ready to begin a new campaign on a positive note when recording an excellent gallop at Cambridge yesterday morning.

Working on the plough, which provided good going, The Guitar Man (Hofmann) hit out stylishly over 1000m in 1:4, sprinting the final 600m in 37.

Tunza Time (Peters) , who makes her debut at Ellerslie, completed 1000m in fine style, returning 1:3,9, the last 600m in 37.2.

NZ Derby hopeful Congrats (Calder) was let off with a comfortable work-out, cruising the final 600m in 44.8. Sir Edward (Holmes) looked in good order when covering 1000m in 1:7.5, finishing off in 39.5. Azmahan (Hofmann) left 800m behind in 56. Verna (Wood) strode 1200m in 1:19.1, finishing off in 38.6.

Gristle (Tremayne) worked in from the 800m in 53.1, the last 600m in 38.4.