Focus switches to Riccarton

Horses heading to the Grand National carnival attracted most attention at Awapuni yesterday morning, with some of them having use of the course proper for fast work.

Gallops took place wide out on the course proper (slow), against the rail on the No 1 grass (slow) and on the plough (good).

Winter Cup prospects The Twist and Propel used the course proper, while race rival Platinum Zana used the No 1 grass, and they would have pleased their respective trainers with solid trials before heading south.

The Twist was paired with Wellington Guineas winner Skirmish over 1000m on the course proper and they covered the distance in 1.8.6, increasing the tempo as they went to finish with 800m in 52.4, the last 600 in 37.7.

Platinum Elle, off to Riccarton for either the open 1200m or the r85 1000m, reeled off an impressive 1000m in 1.4.1 and she came her final 800m in 50.9, the last 600 in 37.8, which was great work.

Her stablemates Tick Tock Turbo (r90 1400m) and Sacha, who was nominated for the same two races as Platinum Elle, looked ready for Riccarton with 800m in 51.3, the last 600 in 37.8.

Propel worked over 1400 metres and was timed from the 1200m in 1.17.9, with the final 800m taking 52.4, the last 600 in 39. Counter Punch, who tackles the Koral Steeple on Saturday, ran 1200m in 1.23.4, the last 600 in a nice 40.9. He is very fit.

On the No 1 grass, Platinum Zana (Winter Cup) and Yourhavinmeon (r75 mile) matched strides over a bold 800m in 51.2, the last 600 in 36.5. They were revelling in their work.

Fighting Harada, in the r70 mile at Hastings tomorrow, and a Generous filly stablemate left 800m behind in 50.8, the last 600 in 37.7, which was a fine gallop as well.

Ben Hogan ran 800m in 51.4, the last 600 in 38.6, while stablemate Zane Bay, in at Hastings (mdn 1400m) took 52.4 and 38.7. A Yamanin Vital 3yo and one by Keeper, both in the Latta barn, sprinted 600m in 40.9.

Santa Fe, racing at Hastings tomorrow (r80 1400m), worked alone over an easy 800m in 55, the last 600 in 40.7.

There were some fine gallops on the plough as well yesterday, and open 1200m race rivals at Hastings Go Danny and Yelracm took centre stage with their 800m in 49.6, the last 600 in 35.7. They have improved immensely since their first-up runs.

Their stablemates Kaapeon Way and Estero went together over 800m in 54.4, the last 600 in 36.2, while Beada Believe It (r70 mile) and Daltoray (mdn 2000m), two more from the Searle barn, clocked 51 and 37.3.

Happy Harry had Robert Hannam aboard over 800m in 52.5, the last 600 in 38.1, and his stablemate Kaimanawa took 54 and 38.8. Kaimanawa, in at Riccarton (r75 mile) then came out and schooled two rounds of the hurdle fences in the centre.

A One Cool Cat gelding and a Howbaddouwantit filly, both with Mike Breslin, ran 800m in 54.9, the last 600 in 38.8, and their stablemate Lemon Honey, a top prospect at Hastings (mdn 1400m), went alone in 52.1 and 39. Tickles finished with 600 in 39.3.

Liquid Goodness and a Bertolini filly, two more with Breslin, sprinted 600m in 39, and Slave Fire, in one of the maiden hurdles at Hastings, went 1200m, covering the final 800m in 58.1, the last 600 in 40.6.

Arson and a Magic Ring maiden ran 800m in 58.2, the last 600 in 40.8, and a Rossini gelding in the Oulaghan stable took 55.9 and 41.7.

Finito, who takes on the maiden steeple tomorrow, had Matt Gillies in the saddle over a nice 1000m in 1.9.9, the last 600 in 41.3, and Butch James went an easy 800m in 58.4, the last 600 in 43.7.

- © Fairfax NZ News