AWAPUNI TRACKWORK
Akela Belle and Sir Beets, who are holding their form well, were bold track-workers at Awapuni this morning.
Fast work took place on the No 1 grass (heavy) or on the plough (slow).
Akela Belle, who has won two of her last three, and Sir Beets used the No 1 grass and covered 800m in 52.2, the last 600 in 38.1.
Akela Belle has been marking time since missing a tilt on the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham two weeks ago, and will now tackle the open mile at Otaki on Saturday.
Sir Beets won two starts ago and then failed narrowly on his home track last start.
Tweedledee and un-raced Jakkalberry gelding Berry The Cash were paired over 1000m in 1.8.6, the last 600 in 39.7.
Berry The Cash was an impressive trial winner at Foxton (1400m) three weeks ago, and debuts at Otaki (mdn mile).
Manawatu entrant Gaelic Spirit (3yo 1400m), working in blinkers, and Keep It Savvy (r65 1550m) were on terms throughout 800m in 53.7, the last 600 in 39.6, and an improving West Coast (mdn 2200m) went alone in 54.7 and 40.6.
Master Fin (open hurdles) was timed 1000m in 1.10.2, the last 600 in 41.2, and Showshanelle ran 800m in 57.3 and 41.9. Atenartin (r65 1100m) recorded 57.8 and 43.7.
On the plough, He's A Doozy and Platinum Spirit matched strides over 800m in 53.7, the last 600 in 38.7, while Kapinos and a Tivaci two-year-old went 1000m in 1.7.6 and 38.3.
Tiro, in at Manawatu (r65 1550m), and Emvees Last Hurrah left 1000m behind in 1.6.5, the last 600 in 39 even, and their stablemates Bradman and Reign It In posted 1.10.3 and 39.1.
Favoloso, who has made huge leaps this preparation, had trainer Lucy Tanner aboard over 800m in 54.4, the last 600 in 39.5. He tackles the maiden 1200m on Thursday.
Last-start maiden winner Jugador (r65 1550m) stretched out boldly over 1000m in 1.9.2, the last 600 in 40.9, while Hunterville visitors See The Lion (mdn 1200m) and Surprize Me, in at Otaki (r65 1400m), took 1.11.7 and 40.8.
Tumbleweed (r74 1200m), another from the stable of Lydia Pickford racing at Otaki, ran 1200m 1.12 even, the last 600 in 40.2, and Kusuda, in at Manawatu (r65 1550m), sprinted 600m in 42.4.
Otaki runners Little Uzi (r65 1400m) and unraced Zed four-year-old Demetrias (mdn mile) ran 800m in 59.4, the last 600 in 43.4. Demetrias finished second in an Otaki trial last month.
Tavistock mare Champers, a dual winner at Riccarton in the autumn, and unraced stablemate Frankenstein (by Alamosa), a recent trial winner at Foxton, sprinted 600m in 43.7. He is on debut at Otaki (mdn 1400m).
Sir Nate took 43.8 for 600m, and Heidi Belle, in at Manawatu (mdn 1200m), clocked 45.7.