Racing: Desert Flight one to fancy for HB Cup

Desert Flight looked ready to continue his run of form in Saturday's Hawkes Bay Cup when he worked well at Matamata yesterday.

Galloping on the plough late in the session after showers had deadened it, Desert Flight (C Lammas) went at a solid rate throughout 1200m in 1:17.2, the 1000m in 1:03.4 and final 600m in 38.3. It was very good work by the big gelding, which will be ridden at the weekend by Hayden Tinsley.

Race rival Kerry OReilly (C Lammas), working earlier in the session, cut out 1200m in 1:22.4, the 1000m in 1:08.2 and 600m in 40.6.

Madamvizelle (T Harris) turned in a good trial for the weekend when she shaded Bedrock (Verry) at the end of 1200m in 1:16.9, 1000m in 1:01.8 and 600m in 35.5. Even allowing for the weight differential, it was impressive work by Madamvizelle. Trainer Eric Betty has yet to decide whether she will race at the local meeting or at Hastings on Saturday.

Tosto (C Ormsby) and Wildgoosechase (Tetzlaff), entries for Matamata on the weekend, were in dashing form over 1000m in 1:00.6 and the last 600m in 35.8. Royal Entertainer (McFetridge) showed his paces over the last 800m of his work in 47, the final 600m in 35.4.

Promising juvenile Opportunity Knocks (Upston) was partnered by an unnamed Polish President filly (T Harris) over 1000m in 1:03.6, the last 600m in 36.2. Like Me Wild (T Thornton) also impressed with 1000m in 1:00.8 and 600m in 35.4.

Captain Kurt (Gorham) looked right on target for next week's Sunline Stakes at Te Rapa when breezing over 1000m in 1:02.8, the last 600m in 35.2. William Tell (Tynan) and Waitui Music (Rastrick) did well over 1200m in 1:16.4 and 600m in 36.2.

Raadisi (Coleman) could have gone faster when covering 1200m in 1:24.5, the last 600m in 39.4. Crepe de Chine (T Thornton) was also contained over 1200m in 1:28.2 and 600m in 44.1, while Maz Quin (Wenn) took 46.2 for his last 600m.

Mighty Troy (Tanner) and Centapin (Dowling) worked soundly over 1200m in 1:17, the final 600m in 37.5. The Fuzz (Hillis) covered the same ground in 1:21.2 and 38.4, while Kyzeel (T Harris) and Double Click (Walker) took 1:18.6 and 36.4, and Steel Tycoon (Coleman) 1:22.8 and 38.

Star Alliance (Davidson) ran 1000m in 1:08.2, the last 600m in 38.2. Sanitee (Waddell), who is now with John Sargent, partnered Baypoint (Ritchie) over 800m in 48.8 and 600m in 36.2. Full Frontal (Carmine) covered 1000m in 1:06.4, the 600m in 38.2, Every Reason (Ritchie) and Toomevara (M Carston) clocked 1:02.4 and 36.5, and One Above Par (Wenn) and Faltaat Gold (P Brosnan) took 1:04.4 and 36.4.

On the course proper, which was dead 30 metres out, Mohican Brave (T Thornton) was travelling well at the end of 1000m in 1:11.8, the last 600m in 41.4. The former smart three-year-old is likely to have his first start for new trainer Danica Guy on the weekend.

Tappy (McFetridge) and Lunus (Ritchie) caught the eye with 1000m in 1:04.4 and 600m in 37.8. Stablemate Pulborough (Waddell) left 1200m behind in 1:18.6, the 600 in 40.4, while Theseus (Ritchie) and Putrajaya (K Jones) took 1:20.7 and 40.5.

* Tusker, a likely starter in this weekend's Hawkes Bay Cup, returned a pleasing gallop on the plough at Cambridge yesterday. The going was easy.

Tusker (Walsh) worked comfortably in from the l000m in l:8, finishing the 600m in 39. She has done well since her last-start win.

Whatafox (Gould) and That Figures (Ropiha) matched strides from the l200m in l:22, sprinting the final 600m in 39.4. Slavenger (German) worked in from the 600m in 39.7. Figure of Speech (Bransakova) left l000m behind in l:5, the final section in 39.2. Luscious Lass (Rishworth) ran the last 600m of her work in a comfortable 42.

Pose For Me (Walsh) completed l000m in l:6, dashing the final 600m in 38.3. True Blue (Callaway) was restrained over 600m in 44. Rowdy Yates (Leahy) worked over a smart l000m in l:3.8, coming home in 39. Tel Toro (Callaway) came in from the 600m in 42. Jaws (Elliot) completed l200m evenly in l:23, sprinting in from the 600m in 39.4. Waikeria (Harry) and Santoya (Bransakova) impressed over l000m in l:3.9, the final 600m in 38.3.

Working on an easy No 2 grass, Vision (Whitworth) and Manaki (Hofmann) ran l200m in l:l8.3, the final 600m in 38.2. Sam the Flirt (Cheshire) and Grace (Leahy) were together throughout l000m , completing the final 500m in 37.l.

* Monte Cristo and Kinsinga were Matamata contenders who galloped attractively at Pukekohe yesterday.

Working on the all-weather sand, Monte Cristo led Kinetta in the finish of 1000m in 1:3.3, the last 600 in 38. Monte Cristo won in his only start to date.

Kinsinga, narrowly beaten by Congrats last time out, three-quarter paced from the 1200m and sprinted the last 800 in 50.3 and 600 in 37.5.

Le Gold Rays cut out 1000m in 1:1.6, the final 600 in 36.7. Given the pace she often shows in training, her race efforts have been a little disappointing.

Jaca Rema was also quick over 1000m, recording 1:1.7, the last 600 in 36.4.

Vivaldi's Gone led Zazanelli in the finish of 1000m in 1:5.4, the closing 60 in 38.3.

Birthday Hill and Super Alloy completed 800m in 51.7, the last 600 in 38.2.