KEY POINTS:
The Mark Walker-trained stablemates Shikoba and Princess Coup were in impressive form at Matamata yesterday as they rounded off their preparations for feature racing at Trentham on the weekend.
Galloping on a good plough with regular work rider Natasha Upston in the saddle, Shikoba began steadily from the
1200m mark to run that distance in 1:20.9 and quickened to over the final 600m in a smart 35.6. Shikoba, who will wear a tongue-tie in the Thorndon Mile, appears to be peaking at the right time.
Princess Coup (T. Harris) also looked very bright when she reeled off 1200m in 1:15.2, 1000m in 1:01 and 600m in 35.7. A last start failure when she blew the start spoilt her formline but she will run without blinkers in the hope that she fares better at the jump in the Desert Gold Stakes.
Race rival Veloce Bella (J. Collett) looked happy in her work over 1000m in 1:07.3, the final 600m in 38.2, while Irlanda (Dowling) was let off with 600m in 38 at the end of her work on the all-weather track.
Thorndon Mile candidate Penny Florence (McFetridge) completed her final work with 800m in 53.2 and 600m in 39. Biggity Bonus (Coleman) and He's Under The Gun (Andrew) had pace on from the outset over 1200m, clocking 1:15.2 and 37.17 for the last 600m. They are in good shape for Avondale on Monday.
Ain't She Neat (Rastrick), a runner at Te Teko on Sunday, worked soundly over 1200m in 1:22.2 and 600m in 37.8, while stablemates Midnight Prince (C. Ormsby) and Warlord (Turner) took 1:20.4 and 36.6.
Summer Cup starter Seventh Heaven (Dowling) was comfortable at the end of 1200m in 1:21.5 and 600m in 37.8. Twopaddocks was ridden by co-trainer Jason Bridgman in a pleasing final trial for Trentham, 1200m in 1:20 and the last 600m in 36.5.
Pulborough (Smellie) ran an eye-catching 1200m in 1:16.8 and 600m in 34.6. He runs next on the first day at Te Rapa.
* Gallions Reach finished his training for the Summer Cup at Trentham tomorrow pleasingly at Pukekohe yesterday.
Working on a good plough and in the hands of race rider Leith Innes, Gallions Reach strode 1200m in 1:25.3, allowed a bit more rein over the final 600 in 41.2. He will travel south in excellent condition.
Speedalot (Evans) ran the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:18.8 and 600 in 39.1, not extended at any part. Black Tracker (Spratt) and Bad (Yuill) ended 1000m in 1:4, the last 600 in 38.6.
Towzee (N. Collett), the only other Pukekohe runner at Trentham, looked in top shape when paceworking.
* Desert Gold Stakes rivals Black Mamba and Genuine Offer enhanced their chances with a good gallop on a firm plough at Cambridge.
Black Mamba (Walsh) and Genuine Offer (Du Plessis) matched strides over 1200m in 1:18.6, the final 600m in 37.4. The stablemates were both travelling sweetly throughout.
Far Too Much (Whitworth) and Danny Cool (O'Styke) left 1200m behind in 1:19.1, finishing off in 38.2. Svaneke (Walsh), who has improved greatly since his fresh-up run at Ellerslie, completed 1200m in fine style with Acapulco Bay (Carter) in 1:17.5, sprinting the final 600m in 36.9.