Racing: Derby candidates enhance prospects at Matamata

New Zealand Derby candidates Xcellent and That's Tops enhanced their prospects for the Boxing Day classic when they galloped impressively at Matamata yesterday.

Working 18 metres out on an easy course proper, Xcellent hit the line strongly alongside Ubiquitous after running the last 1200m of their work in 1:16.9 and the final 600 in 36.6.

That's Tops also showed that she is peaking at the right time when she had the measure of Etoile Du Nord after 1200m in 1:17.7, the 600 in 36.9.

Stablemate Irish Belle was in brilliant form over 1000m in 1.1.2, the last 600 in 36.4. She will run in the Newmarket Handicap on Sunday.

Race rivals Devoted and Vaalu, with first use of the track, got through a smart 1200m in 1:17.5, the 600 in 36.3.

Queen Elizabeth Handicap entrant Singing Star worked over ground and came in from the 1200m in 1:21, the last 600 in 39.8.

Avondale Gold Cup winner The Mighty Lions also looked well when striding over 1200m in 1:24.3, the 600 in 38.3. She will go directly to the Auckland Cup.

Crepe De Chine, the winner of her only start to date, looked sharp for Boxing Day when she worked with Whitby Harbour, clocking a brilliant 35.5 for the last 600m.

Deebee Jean, another for the first day at Ellerslie, cut out 1200m in 1:17, the final 600 in 37.2. Over the same ground Cool Talk took 1:18.7 and 37.7, and Genghis 1:21.8 and 38.2.

Threegees and Darcybee turned in good work late in the session over 1200m in 1:17.7, the 600 in 37.4. Arlington Boulevard and Spin 'N Grin took 1:17.6 and 37.8 and Aroon and Lynisky returned 1:17.8 and 36.6.

Iflooxcouldkill had the edge on Taat Lass after 1000m in 1.3.5, the last 600 in a smart 36.2. Cat Saga and Brave Mariner took 1.4.2 and 36.6.

Kerry O'Reilly was travelling well alongside Champagne Heights after 1200m in 1:19.6, the 600 in 38.8.

It's All About Her took 1:24.6 for 1200m, the 600 in 38.2 and in similar work Brave Ensign and Pindiose recorded 1:23.4 and 40.6.

Envoy maintained a good rate over 1200m in 1:21.2, the 600 in 39.5. Mr Bojangles took 1:27.4 and 41 and Liar Liar clocked 1:24.8.

On the all-weather track, Newmarket Handicap entrant Dezigna ran a sound 1000m in 1.4.9, the 600 in 38.4. Jack Hobbs prepared for Rotorua on Monday with a bold 1200m in 1:17.8 the 600 in 39.2.

Justee returned a quick time at Takanin yesterday and Just A Tad showed her usual brilliance.

Working 2m out on a firm No 2 grass and with Colin Curnow up, Justee cut out 1000m in 59.9, the last 600 in 36.9.

Justa Tad galloped 1200m in 1:12.3, the last 1000 in 59.3 and 600 in 36.6. She will race on the fourth day of the Auckland Cup carnival.

Aria and Royal Babe sprinted 1000m in 1.0.5, the final 600 in 36.8. Foxette covered her 1000m in 1.0.6, the last 600 in 36.6.

Vamperella galloped 1200m in 1:14.2, the last 600 in 36.7. She is holding her form well.

Ever After and Taffeta left behind 1000m in 1:1.4, the closing 600 in 36.4. Sarajay and Manjaro ran their 1000m in 1:1.2, the last 600 in 36.6.

Filey looked good running 1200m in 1:14.9, the final 600 in 37.7.

Tadan, Florence May and Sporting Chance worked well at Te Awamutu.

Working on a good plough, Tadan finished strongly after 1000m in 1.1, the 600m in 35.5.

Florence May and Sporting Chance clocked 1.1.9 for the same trip, finishing off with 500 in 37.1.

Gibby The Burglar and Caravaggio covered 1000m in 1.2.9, the 600 in 36.2.

Colyn and Kong Kuen took 1.3.4 for their 1000m and Wine Oh was doing the best work near the finish of 1000 in 1.5.2, the 600 in 37.4. Saplaya ran 600 in 36.4.