AWAPUNI TRACKWORK 

By RON GURNEY

Local trainer Peter Didham can look forward to Saturday's racing with confidence after Big Franck, House Of Cartier, Ted Can Too and Kusuda all worked in fine style at Awapuni this morning.

Fast work was on the plough (dead) or on the heavy No 1 grass.

Big Franck (mdn 1400m) used the plough and really caught the eye, covering 1000m in 1.5.2, coming the final 800m in 50.2, the last 600 in 36.7.

The Teofilo gelding debuted at long odds at Hawera three weeks ago, finishing a close third, and he has trained on particularly well.

His stablemate House Of Cartier (open mile) worked well on Tuesday and did so again this morning. She did a quiet round before galloping 1000m in 1.7.3, the final 800m taking 50.7, the last 600 in 36.8.

Ted Can Too (r65 1200m), who was in good form during the autumn, ran 800m in 52.3, the last 600 in 38.3, and should give a good sight on the fresh side. Danielle Johnson rides him.

Last-start winner Cholula (r65 2200m) and Nun So Bad, fourth on debut at Woodville, were paired over 1000m in 1.6.6, the last 600 in 39.1.

My Father's Gun (r65 1400m), with Dylan Turner aboard, went alone over 1000m in 1.8.5, the last 600 in 39.9. Turner is reunited with the horse on race-day this Saturday after winning a maiden on him two years ago. The gelding's form is solid.

Race rival Town Cryer, placed at the Foxton trials three weeks ago, and Emvees Last Hurrah, balloted out of the maiden 1400m, ran 800m in 53.6, the last 600 in 39.8. Town Cryer placed fourth in the (Listed) Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton during the autumn.

Flying Surf, coming to hand well, was timed 800m in 54.6, the last 600 in 39 even, while Den Bosch, in Saturday's r65 1400m, did a quiet round before going 800m in 54.7 and 39.8. He will likely need the run.

An El Roca filly and a Redwood filly, both trained by Lisa Latta, ran 800m in 54.3, the last 600 in 39.9, while a Belardo filly and a Tavistock filly from the same barn took 55.5 and 39.4.

Floral Art, in the r74 2200m on Saturday, worked alone over 800m in 56.1, the last 600 in 39 even. She ran an eye-catching third at Wanganui (2040m) two starts ago, but got too far out of her ground when fifth at Hastings (1600m) last week. She will love the 2200 metres.

Colorado Star (open 1200m), to be ridden by stable apprentice Faye Lazet (a4), and Parisian Poppy were on terms throughout 800m in 57.2, the last 600 in 40.6, Colorado Star was second in a Foxton trial three weeks ago and should go well fresh.

Putorino cruised over 800m in 56 even, the last 600 in 41.6, while a Wrote filly and a Charm Spirit filly, both trained by Lisa Latta, sprinted 600m in 41.4. Dedoje was kept to 44.4.

On the No 1 grass, Kusuda (r74 mile) looked strong over 1000m in 1.6.5, the last 600 in 38.6, and she is in terrific form. Showshanelle (r65 1400m) covered 800m in 54.5, the last 600 in 40.8, and is an outside chance on home turf.

Sir Beets (r74 mile) and Silky Red Fox (mdn 1400m) matched strides over 800m in 55 even, the last 600 in 40.7. Forget the disappointing run of Sir Beets at Wanganui last start, when he was run off his feet.