Ferlax four-year-old Inmyshadow suggested he can go one better on Saturday after a very pleasing final trial at Awapuni this morning.
Fast work was held on the plough (slow) and on the No 1 grass (dead). Inmyshadow, in the maiden mile at Manawatu, used the plough and had trainer Ashley Meadows aboard over 1000m in 1.7.4, the last 600 in 38.2. The maiden gelding finished second in a Foxton trial (1200m) last month before running third on debut at Otaki (1600m). The track was slow that day, and he may well get similar conditions on Saturday.
Time honours this morning went to another four-year-old maiden, Te Awe Awe (by Zed), who skipped over 1000m in 1.4.8, the last 600 in 38 seconds even.
The Jeff Lynds-trained mare has been unplaced in two race-day starts so far.
Bradman and un-raced five-year-old stablemate Sindacato (by Per Incanto) were paired over 800m in 51.7, the last 600 in 38.8. Better Days (by Preferment) and Hungry (by Alamosa), un-raced two-year-olds trained by Mike Breslin, ran 800m in 54 even, the last 600 in 38.9.
Manawatu entrant Passione (3yo 2000m) worked alone over 1000m in 1.9.2, the last 600 in 39.9, and her stablemate Platinum Impact (by Real Impact) took 1.9.9 and 39.8.
Chikira Lass and Keep It Savvy warmed up from the 1000m (1.13.2) to run home the last 600 in 39.7, and Den Bosch, in the r65 2200m on Saturday, did a quiet round and a half before sprinting 600m in 39.6.
Riccarton visitor and last-start maiden winner Milford Sound (3yo 2000m) did nice work over 800m in 52.2, the last 600 in 39.3. Little Texas Sky covered 800m in 53 even, the last 600 in 39.6, followed soon after by un-raced three-year-old filly Bee Sting (by Vespa), who took 53.2 and 39.9. She is a half-sister to top mare Heni.
A Road To Rock filly and an Alamosa filly, both trained by Mike Breslin, were timed 800m in 53.5, the last 600 in 39.7, while a Redwood gelding and a Shocking filly, both with Lisa Latta, clocked 55.3 and 39.8.
Manawatu runner Sassy Susan (3yo 1200m), a costly failure last start, and a Vespa-Silver Penny filly stablemate were on terms throughout 800m in 56 even, the last 600 in 39 even.
Double acceptor Platinum Rapper breezed over 1000m in 1.10.4, the last 600 in 40.8, and this mare is working solidly. She will love the wetter conditions on offer this weekend.
The Rippa, who rates a chance in the r74 mile, ran 800m in 56.2, the last 600 in 40.9, while Colorado Star (Flying Stakes) and He's Done A Runner went together in 55.4 and 41 even.
Town Cryer (r65 2200m), not disgraced in the Lowland Stakes last start, and Cambridge visitor Mandalorian (r65 mile) matched strides over 1000m in 1.9.3, the last 600 in 41.7. The blinkers go on Town Cryer this week.
Super Flash was not after time over 1000m in 1.14.5, the last 600 in 43 even, and neither was Platinum Spirit (r65 2200m) in 1.17.1 and 43.9. Kusuda (mdn mile), who will race without blinkers on Saturday, did a quiet round and a half, before increasing the tempo slightly to run home 600m in 43.1.
On the No 1 grass, Venato (by Jimmy Choux), ran 800 in 52.7, the last 600 in 39.7. He finished fifth of 12 in his only race so far, last October.
Manawatu entrants Nod Of The Head (3yo 1200m) and Lincoln Star (r74 mile) were locked together over 800m in 56.2, the last 600 in 40.6. Nod Of The Head has freshened nicely and won an open heat (1000m) at the Foxton trials last week, while Lincoln Star won't mind the wetter conditions underfoot on Saturday. Neither will Sir Nate (Awapuni Gold Cup), who did nice work over 1000m in 1.9.2, the last 600 in 41.7. He has been freshened as well, and finished third at the Foxton trials (1400m) last week