KEY POINTS:
Shining Light and Better On Top showed their fitness for pending engagements when they galloped impressively together at Matamata yesterday.
Galloping 16 metres out on a dead course proper, Shining Light (Sliz) and Better On Top (Waddell) had pace on throughout 1200m in 1:15.6, the last 1000m in
1:02.9 and 600m in 37.1. Shining Light looks none the worse for her trip to Riccarton, where she ran second in the Warstep Stakes, while stablemate Better On Top has trained on well from his debut win late last month.
Waitui Fox (Coleman) and Waitui Belle (Davidson) prepared for Te Rapa with a solid 1000m in 1:03.2 and 600m in 37. It was good work by the Glen Old-trained stablemates after the ground had been opened up by earlier gallops.
Centapin (Dowling), a candidate for the Savabeel 1600 at Awapuni on the weekend, hit out well in company with Pose For Me (Gartner) over 1200m in 1:19.8, the final 600m in 38.2. Arabian Myth (Weatherley) who will end her season at Te Rapa on Saturday after missing a start in the Rotorua Cup, was bold in her work over 1200m in 1:18.8, the last 600m in 37.2.
Stone Garden (Russell) and Blondie (Johansen) worked well in readiness for Te Rapa over 1200m in 1:17.4, and 600m in 36.9. Calgary (R. Jones) and Allasin (Weatherley) cut out 1000m in 1:03.5, the final 600m in 37.7.
Jayasuriya (Allen) and Light Weaver (K. Jones) worked over the same ground in 1:03.6 and 37.8, while last start Te Rapa winner Pindy (Hercock) did similar work in good style but no time was taken.
On the all-weather track Resolution (Coleman) and Eskimo Queen (Campbell), who were due to leave for Brisbane overnight, underlined their fitness when they covered 1200m in 1:17.3 and 600m in 38. Eskimo Queen is on the borderline for a start in the Doomben Roses on Saturday, while Resolution lines up on Saturday week in the Rough Habit Plate.
On the sand, which was a little slow, Eye Me Up (T. Harris) turned in sound work over 1000m in 1:06.7, the last 600m in 38.2. She deserves another chance on the weekend after a below par performance at her last start.
Sir Bling (Myers) was not after time over 1000m in 1:09.2, the last 600m in 41.3. Nor was McSteamy (Leung) in hurry when clocking 1:13.8 and 42.7, while Leningrad Lady (Verry) took 1:13.6 and 41.4.
* Chase The Sun showed he had trained on nicely since his winning debut at Te Rapa when he galloped on the all-weather sand at Pukekohe yesterday.
Ridden by Shane Udy, Chase The Sun ran 800m with Up In Arms (Jeffcoat) in 54.5, the pace on for the final 600 in 35.1.
First Drinks (Rolston) was clear of an unnamed companion (D. Johnson) after 800m, the last 600 in 35.5.
Hardy 2-year-old Jacob (Sargent) completed 600m in 36.5.
Galloping12m out on a dead course proper, Waikeepadacash (N. Collett) and Ala Moana (Yuill) finished 1200m in 1:17, the last 600 in 35.3.
* Stablemates So You and Sands of Time were in fine form at Cambridge yesterday. Galloping on a good plough So You (Houston) and Sands of Time (Whale) kept up a strong pace over 1400m in 1:31.5, sprinting the final 600m in 36.1. Both members of Paul Duncan's stable are in first-class order.
I'll Think About It (Weller) and Kapai (Walsh) were on terms after completing 1000m in 1:6.6, the final 600m in 38.4. Grace (McVean), a recent trials winner, came to the end of her gallop with 600m in 38. Twoeezy (Smith) and Pincers (Jones) matched strides over 1000m in 1:7.3, coming home in 38.l
Bringbackthebiff (Cameron) strode 1400m in 1:35.6, finishing off in 39.2. Martini Time (Ivil) was timed from the 1000m in 1:3, sprinting the last 600m in 36.5.
Cancoun (Weller) and Who's Asking (Collins) were timed from the 1000m in 1:8, the last 600m in 38.1. Rios (Walsh) and Tariq (Collins) finished together after completing 1000m in 1:3.6, dashing the final 600m in 36.5.
Art Link (medium weight) and Danz Star (Griffin) ran a solid 1200m in 1:16.3, finishing off in 37.4. Sirius (Callaway) was untroubled to run 300m in 39.4. Maythehorsebemagic (Satherley) returned 52.1 for 8oom. Destiny Diva (Peters) left 1200m behind in 1:22.l, the last 600m in 39.