AWAPUNI TRACKWORK Tuesday, December 18 By RON GURNEY Authentic Paddy took another important step toward defending his Zabeel Classic title when he trialled in bold fashion at Awapuni this morning. Fast work took place on the plough (good), with three gallops recorded on the course proper (dead) and one on the sand (good). Authentic Paddy used the plough and had stablemate Miss Oahu, in at Manawatu (r72 1200m) for a partner when warming up from the 1000m mark to complete 800m in 49.7, the last 600 in 37.1. A slow track played right into Authentic Paddy's hands when placing second in the Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last start, and he only needs the jar out of the ground at Ellerslie on Boxing Day to make his presence felt again. Time honours this morning went to last-start Trentham winners Lincoln Falls and Lincoln Raider, who worked the reverse way together over 800m, the last 600 in 36.2. Lincoln Falls could be off to Ellerslie for Boxing Day racing as well (3yo 1400m). Platinum Invador (mdn mile No 2) and Lincoln Sky (mdn 1400m), who both go to Otaki on Thursday, covered 800m in 50.1, the last 600 in 37.6. Lincoln Sky is a younger brother to last Saturday's Manawatu winner Lincoln Star (Savabeel-Dating), and race rival Herbie Hankock covered 800m in 51.3 and 37.3. Shadows Cast, in the Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, had Tim Johnson aboard over 1000m in 1.4.5, the last 600 in 38.5, and he has not raced since finishing unplaced in the Coupland's Mile. Lincoln's Gal and Thursday's entrant Tout Sur Moi (mdn 1400m) were on terms throughout 800m in 51.5, the last 600 in 38 even. Manawatu runner Fibonacci (r72 1200m), back for a new campaign, took 52.3 and 38.5, and he won at the Levin jump-outs recently. Thursday duo Maidstone Park (mdn 2100m) and Passing Glance (mdn mile No 1) ran 800m in 52.9, the last 600 in 38.9, while their stablemates Piccolo Toro (mdn mile No 1, blinkers on) and Lincoln Dreamer ended with 600m in 38.7. Lucy Tanner-trained Eugenie Joy (mdn 1200m) was sent 1000m in 1.7.1, the last 600 in 39.3, while Bruno Kelly and Manawatu Cup entrant Shared Secrets went together over the same task, the 800m in 53 even and last 600 in 39 even. Beefeater, a likely Summer Cup runner at Awapuni on Boxing Day, cruised over 800m in 53.4, the last 600 in 39.8, and his stablemate Hank Moody posted 53.6 and 39.6. Otaki runner Before Dawn (mdn mile) ran an easy 800m, the last 600 in 40.6, and her stablemates Hypatia (mdn 2100m) and Casino El Jay did a quiet round and a half before galloping 800m in 55.7 and 41.1. Showshanelle (by Showcasing), who debuts on Thursday (mdn 1200m), sprinted 600m in a quiet 42.7. On the course proper, Paddy Bourke was at a good clip over 1000m in 1.3.8, the last 600 in 36.7, and his stablemate Dal Kilchoan, in on Saturday (r72 1550m) clocked 1.8.7 and 39 even. Glide Queen, who finished second when resuming at Waipukurau, did 800m in 55.6, the last 600 in 39.8. She is in the 3yo 1400m on Saturday. On the sand, Dancing Queen (Cape Blanco-Woodsong), who has won two trials recently, was timed 1000m in 1.6.9, the last 600 in 38.3. She is with David Goldsbury.