AWAPUNI TRACKWORK
Semper Magico could not have been more impressive at Awapuni this morning in his final hit-out for the Wellington meeting on Saturday.
Fast work was held on the No 1 grass (slow) and on the plough (good).
Semper Magico, in the r74 mile, used the No 1 grass and reeled off 1000m in a slick 1.1.5, the last 600 in 36.3.
He is at the top of his game and looks ready to salute the judge after a run of seconds since he resumed last month.
Valhalla Rising, who will resume shortly, was shading unraced Alamosa three-year-old filly Sylviemosa after a smart 800m in 48.7, the last 600 in 35.8. Their stablemates Princess Ani and Prince Turbo followed soon after with 49.3 and 36.1.
Wellington entrant Chillax 'n' Chase (r65 1200m) had trainer Deborah Parry aboard over 800m in 50 seconds even, the last 600 in 37.4. Northern apprentice Callum Jones rides the gelding with a 3kg claim.
Platinum Rapper (open 1400m) covered 800m in 52.6, the last 600 in 38.5, while her stablemates Origineel and Belclare took 52.9 and 38.9.
Atenartin (r65 1200m) and debut runner Road Cruz (mdn 1400m) matched strides over 800m in 53.2, the last 600 in 39.1. Road Cruz won a Foxton trial (1200m) two weeks ago.
Former northerner Tweedledee (7 wins) was timed 1000m in 1.10.6, the last 600 in 40.8, and he is now with Mark Oulaghan.
Gaelic Spirit, third at Wanganui last start, was not chasing the clock over 800m in 55.5, the last 600 in 40.6.
On the plough, Obrigado skipped over 800m in 49.6, the last 600 in 36.2, and his stablemate Irish Prayer went 50.2 and 36.5.
A Savabeel-Include two-year-old gelding and an Alamosa-Shi Kin Fly mare ran 800m in 50.3, the last 600 in 36.9. They are trained by Peter Didham.
Unraced Alamosa three-year-old filly Albufeira and a Road To Rock filly, both with Mike Breslin, left 800m behind in 51 seconds even, the last 600 in 37.2.
Wellington entrant Almeraki (r65 mile) and Sybarite were on terms throughout 1000m in 1.7.8, the last 600 in 39.7. Almeraki was a maiden winner at Woodville last month and goes to Trentham with Lisa Allpress the rider.
Pleasure (r65 1200m), impressive winning on debut at Wanganui after a trial win at Foxton, went with Dawn County (mdn 1400m) over a quiet 800m in 58.3, the last 600 in 40.6, and their stablemate Excelleration (r74 1200m) ended with 40.1.
St Nancy (r65 mile) did a quiet round and a half before quickening the tempo to run an easy 800m in 59.2, the last 600 in 42.2. Jessie's Rock (r74 2400m) did similar work, ending with 45.1.