KEY POINTS:
Dezigna confirmed his fitness for the Japan-New Zealand International Trophy at Tauranga tomorrow when he worked boldly at Matamata yesterday.
With raceday rider Michael Coleman in the saddle, Dezigna travelled strongly throughout 1000m on the all-weather track in 1:06.7, quickening for a final 600m in 38.4. The Volksraad gelding has had a busy season but looks as well as ever and should give another good account in the 1600m feature.
McCahon (Saad), another form runner for Tauranga, had pace on over the final 800m of his work in 48.8 and 600m in 36.2.
On the plough, which was dead after overnight showers, Massive Heights (T. Harris) caught they eye with a smart 1200m in 1:19.8 and 600m in 37.6. Stablemate Titan Prince (S. Collett) ran over the same ground in 1:21.2 and 38.6. The pair give Mark Walker a strong hand in the 3-year-old sprint at Tauranga.
Another from the same stable, Soelin (A Carston), prepared for the 3-year-old 1600m at Tauranga with sound work over 1000m in 1:07.7 and 600m in 38.7. Irlanda (Dowling), who is in good order to resume from a brief spell, was not after time over 1000m in 1:13.2 and 600m in 39.5.
Others allowed an easy time were the Jim Gibbs-trained pair for the Tauranga open sprint, Devoted and Volscar. Devoted (Gray) ran his 1000m in 1:08.6 and 600m in 40, while Volscar (C. Lammas) took 1:10.8 and 42.2.
Wild Goose Chase (C. Ormsby) prepared for Tauranga with 1200m in 1:24.8, the final 600m in 39.6, while Takeitall (Turner) clocked 1:22.8 and 38.3, and Gomez (Coleman) 1:26.8 and 39.2.
J Sarajay (K. Jones) ran in from the 600m in 40.5, while other John Sargent weekend runners to do similar work were Pulborough (Allen), who took 41.2, and Lunus (Sliz), 40.2.
* Prized Touch looked in capital condition for Tauranga tomorrow when exercising at Pukekohe yesterday.
In the hands of race rider Tasha Collett, who will claim a 3kg allowance, Prized Touch paceworked twice round on the all-weather sand. He should continue the Collett-Hapeta stable's successful past few months.
Needuask (Spratt) was given an easy 1000m in 1:10.9, the last 600 in 43.3.
Stablemate Ala Moana (Yuill) worked comfortably through 1200m in 1:24. the final 600 in 42.4. Montecristo (Spratt) and Baileys Comet (Yuill) hit out freely over 1000m in 1:2.7, the last 600 in 38.1.
Working on the inside of a good course proper, Ngahiiti (Udy) showed her readiness to resume racing by running 800m in 49.3, the final 600 brilliantly in 34.1.
* Hagar was again the best of the track workers at Cambridge yesterday morning when preparing for the Ratin g 92 l400m at Tauranga.
Galloping on a firm grass Hagar (Whitworth) ran 800m in 48.2, sprinting the final 600m in 35.3. He has not had the best of luck in recent starts and looks at peak fitness.
Fashionable Lass (Ivil), who resumes at Tauranga this weekend, completed 1200m in 1:18, completing the last 600m in 38.4.
Working on the plough Spectacular Icon (Hills) strode 1200m in 1:20, the final 600m in 38.2. Tatlock (Whitworth) and Remarkable (O'Styke) matched strides over a solid 800m in 49.3, dashing the final 600m in 35.8. Texas (Callaway) was given an easy task when working 600m in 45.3. Taking the Micky (German) and Twisting (Cheshire) left 1000m behind in 1:4, the last section in 36.7.
