Racing: Captain Kurt given orders to win at Tauranga

Captain Kurt was in brilliant form at Matamata yesterday as he prepared for weekend racing at Tauranga.

Galloping on a good sand with raceday jockey Troy Harris in the saddle, Captain Kurt was untroubled to run 1000m in 1:03.2, the final 600m in a deceptive 35.3. On that work and his raceday form, Captain Kurt appears to have the Tauranga three-year-old sprint at his mercy.

Japan-New Zealand Trophy candidate Temple Hills (Rastrick) was also impressive even allowing he was given an easier task, 1200m in 1:27.5 and the final 600m in 40.4.

Another leading candidate for the group two feature, Arlingtonboulevard (Walker), worked on the grass, which was dead 25 metres out. She finished her gallop full of running after clocking 1:24.2 for 1200m, 1:09.2 for the 1000m and 40.8 for the last 600m.

Ballymore Lass (Andrew) ran a good trial for the three-year-old 1600 at Tauranga when she cut out 1200m in 1:19.5 and the final 600m in 38.2. Race rival Inshelucky (C. Lammas) had pace on from the 1200m, running that distance in 1:20.6 and the last 600m in 40.2.

Tauranga sprint entrant Vaalu (Nattrass) was not asked for a lot, coming from the 600m in 42.6. Waitui Bay (Tynan) cut out 1200m in 1:25.4 and 600m in 40.5, while Kirra Sand (Ramsay) took 1:25.2 and 41.8.

Jokers Wild (Collett) continued his Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes preparation with 1200m in 1:24.6, 1000m in 1:08.9 and 600m in 40.2. Sydney Cup entrant Envoy (Wratten) warmed to his task over 1200m in 1:27.5 and 600m in 41.2.

Back on the sand, New Plymouth candidate Pastis (Collett) strode from the 1200m 1:22.6, quickening over the final 600m in 36.8. Raadisi (Coleman) covered 1200m in 1:22.7 and the last 600m in 39.2.

Tycoon Princess (McKay) shaped up for Tauranga when partnering Miss Dux (Hercock) over 1000m in 1:05.8, the final 600m in 37. The One (Coleman) covered the same ground in 1:09.8 and 39.8, while Illicitly (Russell) took 1:09.6 and 41.4, and Kittybird (Sapsworth) 1:09.2 and 41.

* Waikeepadacash was the only Tauranga runner able to be timed, because of fog, at Pukekohe yesterday.

Ridden by Ryan Allwood, he ran an easy 1000m on a fast plough in 1:6.5. Allwood has the mount tomorrow and will claim a 3kg apprentice allowance.

Waikeepadacash's stablemates Cross Lease and Alberton Rose worked separately over 1200m, neither asked for a serious effort.

Cydne Evans gave Al Vialli a quiet 1000m and said she went "a bit quicker" on Speedalot over 1000. Both horses are engaged at New Plymouth tomorrow.

On the sand, Johnnie Yetton was under a firm hold through 800m. He will enjoy any softening of the ground at Tauranga.

Cog Hill paceworked twice round. He looks fitter for his outing at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday when he won nicely and will resume racing at Awapuni tomorrow week.

* Mr Multiwin showed his appreciation for easy track conditions at Cambridge yesterday morning when preparing for the Tauranga meeting this weekend.

Galloping on the outside of the No.l grass Mr Multiwin (Griffin) strode freely over 800m , completing the final 600m in 36.2. He is at peak fitness.

Steamin Deamon (Lang) worked nicely over 800m in 52m. La Sizeranne (Hills), an impressive last-start winner, was in good form when covering 1400m in 1:34.9, the concluding 600m in 38.9. Santoya (Bransakova) was timed from the 600m in 38.8.

Spectacular Icon (Wood) and Fashionable Lass (Ivil) matched strides over 1200m in 1:19, coming home in 38.3. Waikeria (Bransakova) worked comfortably over 600m in 39.8. Daddy Knows Best (Treymane) left 1200m behind in 1:19.7, the 600m in 38.9.

Howmuchyacharging (Satherley), who begins a new campaign this weekend, worked nicely alongside stablemate Pose For Me (Crawford) over 1000m in 1:4.8, the last 600m in 40.

Langness (Douglas) was not pushed over 600m in 41.1. Kajema (Ropiha) ran 1200m in 1:22.1, the last section in 38.8. Congrats (Hofmann) impressed over 1200m in 1:16.4, the 600m in 37.1. Willie Ryan (Douglas) was given an easy task over 600m in 45.4. Reigns and Poors (Ropiha) and Andari Flyer (Kimberley) ran the last 600m of their work in 38.9.

Working on the sand last-start winner Orpington (Walsh) completed 1000m in 1:8, sprinting the final 600m in 37.8.