AWAPUNI TRACKWORK

Semper Magico followed up a nice gallop on Tuesday with another solid workout at Awapuni this morning.

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

Semper Magico used the grass again and produced a similar time to Tuesday, covering 1000m in 1.11.5, the last 600 in 40.6.

The Per Incanto gelding, who has paid a dividend in all his five starts this campaign, should gain due reward in the last race (r65 1400m) at Manawatu on Saturday. Temyia Taiaroa, who rode him two starts ago, claims 2kg.

Race rival Atenartin earned admirers with his 1000m in 1.11.9, the last 600 in 42.4. He was unplaced when resuming at Trentham recently, and Ashvin Mudhoo takes the ride this week with a 3kg claim.

Cher Ami, who has improved with recent racing, and unraced Zed four-year-old Demetrias were timed 1000m in 1.12.8, the last 600 in 42.5. Demetrias finished second at the Otaki trials (1400m) two weeks ago.

Chillax 'n' Chase, another in the r65 1400m on Saturday, had trainer Deborah Parry aboard over 800m in 55.8, the last 600 in 42 even. He was a shade unlucky not to have paid a dividend last start.

Last-start maiden winner Venato (r65 1400m) was not chasing the clock over 800m in 59.6, the last 600 in 43.3, and La Jungles, in Saturday's maiden hurdles, ran 1000m in 1.14.3, the last 600 in 44.6.

On the plough, Hillcrest Road, unlucky in at least two of his three races to date, ran 1000m in 1.8.7, the last 600 in 36.8.

Khalfani and Valhalla Rising were paired over 1000m in a smart 1.4.5, the last 600 in 37.3, and they will likely race at Otaki next Friday.

Their stablemate Irish Prayer, an improver from a resuming run at Wanganui on Queen's Birthday weekend, ended with 600m in 38.2.

Tiro, balloted out of the r65 1400m on Saturday, and Emvees Last Hurrah were kept to 1000m in 1.15.4, the last 600 in 42.2. Tiro was a good third at Awapuni last start, while Emvees Last Hurrah was a big improver (6th) the same day.

Hunterville visitor Phelan Foxy (maiden hurdles) schooled over a round of the brush fences in the centre of the course before coming out to run an easy 800m, the last 600 in 45.7.

Kusuda (r65 1400m) did a quiet round and a half, increasing the tempo slightly on the second circuit to come the last 600 in 46 even.