AWAPUNI TRACKWORK

Otaki maiden first starter Maebhs Razeel and his stablemate Steely Zeb really caught the eye in their final gallop at Awapuni this morning.

During a very light session, fast work was held on the heavy No 1 grass or on the plough (good).

Maebhs Razeel and Steely Zeb, who are race rivals at Otaki (mdn 1400m), used the No 1 grass and covered 800m in 55.2, the last 600 in 39.3, which was solid work for maidens, given the conditions.

Maebhs Razeel (by Redwood) debuts on Saturday after two trial placings (1400m) over the last few months and a win at the Levin jump-outs (1200m) two weeks ago.

Steely Zeb (by Zebedee) has been knocking on the door for a victory, and her Hastings run last start is best forgotten. It would not surprise if the two Lisa Latta-trained three-year-olds ran the quinella.

Berry The Cash (by Jakkalberry), another first starter on Saturday (mdn mile), earned plenty of admirers with his 1000m in 1.11.5, the last 600 in 41.4. He won a Foxton trial (1400m) very comfortably three weeks ago and has trained on well.

Jenever (mdn mile), who placed last start, ran 800m in 56.8, the last 600 in 42.9, but she has been disappointing to say the least.

On the plough, Colorado Star and Parisian Poppy, building nicely in a new campaign, ran 800m in 53 seconds even, the last 600 in 38 even, while their stablemates Son Of Thunder and Zambezi Lass took 52.7 and 38.2.

Frankenstein (by Alamosa), yet another first starter at Otaki (mdn 1400m), was timed 1000m in 1.9.4, the last 600 in 39 even. He won a Foxton trial (1000m) three weeks ago and deserves plenty of respect.

A Niagara three-year-old gelding and a Pins two-year-old filly, both trained by Mark Oulaghan, ran 1000m in 1.7.8, the last 600 in 39.3.