KEY POINTS:
The Lance Noble trained Kirra Sand impressed with her fitness for her engagement in the NZ Bloodstock Insurance handicap tomorrow at Te Rapa when allowed to stride through a comfortable workout at Matamata yesterday morning.
Working on a good plough, Kirra Sand (Gartner) strode quietly through the early
part of 1200m in 1:23, the 1000m taking 1:7.6 and the final 600 in an impressive 39.2. While it wasn't the quickest time of the session it was the manner in which she completed the task that impressed.
Te Rapa candidate Like Me Wild (Turner) was another to catch the eye when covering 1200m in 1:19.4, the last 600 in dashing style to record 36.8. Race rival Do Me A Favour (Russell) did her prospects no harm while covering an easy run 1200m in 1:21.8, the 1000 in 1:6 stretching out well over the final 600 to record 36.7.
Travis Stakes candidate Arabian Knights (Weatherley) ran a comfortable 1200m in 1:21.8, the 1000 in 1:5.8 and she looked keen to go quicker than 38.2 for the final 600.
Stablemate and race rival Sarajay (Jones) hitout well to record 1:20.8 for 1200m, the 600 in 37.5. Centapin (Dowling) was kept to a quiet 1200m in 1:24.2, the 600 in 39.6. You're My Angel (Jones) covered the last 1000m of an easy task in 1:6, the last 600 in 39.2.
Working right handed on the course proper, Xcellent (Coleman) looked in great shape as he increased to run 600m up the back straight in 39.8.
On the plough, Media One (Turner) covered 1200m in 1:20.8, the 1000 in 1:5.4 with fog restricting timing over the 600m section. Katarina (Price) ran 1:24 for 1200m, the 600 in 41. Floridita (Harris) and Coup Archie (S. Collett), rivals in the 2-year-old event at Te Rapa, were evenly matched over 1000m in 1:7.2, the 600 in an attractive 36.8.
* Luis suggested he could be prominent in his debut at Te Rapa tomorrow judged by his work at Pukekohe yesterday.
Fog prevented or restricted the timing of most gallops.
Luis (Yull), a recent trials winner, shaded Unique Newyork (Spratt) in the finish of 1000m on the all-weather sand in 1:7.8.
Montecristo (Spratt) ran 1000m in 1:8.8. He seems to have come through his winning race at Te Aroha in good shape.
St Verdi (Muirhead) was given the easiest of tasks, 800m in 1:2, the last 400 in 29.2. Capital Hill (D. Johnson) finished the final 400m of 1000 in 26.
Pretorius (Judy Collett), whose training is often varied, was exercised on the grass in the centre of the course.
* Sands of Time, La Force, Ambitious Mascot and Taking the Mickey all performed well when preparing for their local meeting at Te Rapa tomorrow.
Working on a good plough at Cambridge yesterday morning Sands of Time (McKeon) , who is trying for a hat-trick of wins in the $40,000 Garry Keith Motors 2000 for 3-year-olds, strode 1200 in fine style, returning 1:20.9, the last 600m in 38.2.
La Force (Weller), a last-start winner, travelled sweetly alongside stablemate Ambitious Mascot (medium weight) over 1000m in 1:4.7, the final 600m in 37.4.
Giovanni (Walsh) looked fit for Te Rapa when sprinting the final 600m of his work in 36.4.
Working on the grass Dem Hills (Du Plessis), who will debut at Te Rapa, was in outstanding form when sprinting 600m in 34.4.