Racing: Ellerslie hopeful ready to cap run of placed form

Tea In The Sahara drew attention to his weekend prospects when he turned in a brilliant final training gallop at Matamata yesterday.

Working on a reasonably deep sand, Tea In The Sahara did very well to run 1200m in 1:19.3 and hit the line strongly after a final 600m in 36.5. The workout left no doubts that he is ready to cap off a run of placed form in the intermediate 1600 metre event at Ellerslie.

Wolf Pack sharpened up for Ellerslie when he covered a tidy 1000m with Pindiose in 1:5.6, the last 600m in 37.5. Sheka looked ready for her weekend assignment when cutting out the last 600m of her work in 39.5, while stablemate Amira covered 1000m in 1:8.4, the 600 in 39.

Wit And Polish and Killur were evenly matched at the end of 1200m in 1:19.4, the 600 in 38.2. Express Train covered the same ground in 1:19.8 and 39.5, while Sabra and Advanced took 1:23.2 and 40.

Rely On Me completed his weekend preparation with 1200m in 1:19.6, the 600 in 38.5. Stablemate Boulevardofdreams was let off with a quickening 600m at the end of her work. She is fit and ready for Ellerslie on Saturday.

Anton and Shallow left 1200m behind in 1:20.2, the 600 in 38.8, Tunes Of Glory and Tabeela took 1:19.4 and 38, Florida 1:23.8 and 38.8 and Liar Liar 1:19.2 and 38.5.

Golden Syrup and were kept up to the mark with 1000m in 1:6.6, the last 600m in 37.8. They are headed for Ruakaka next Wednesday.

Kiwi King and an Imperial Seal gelding covered 1000m in 1:9.5, the 600 in 41.2. Dr Klaire recorded 1:28.6 and 39.2 over 1200m, Spanish Class 1:28 and 40.5, Euroband 1:22.2 and 38.5, Find An Oasis 1:22.3 and 40, and Lesley Marie 1:32.6 and 45.4.

The Cut worked over 1200m in 1:19.3, the 600 in 38.9, while Skin Tight and a Colombia gelding recorded 1:23.6 and 39.1.

Pamela Jay caught the eye when she worked on the all-weather track, stopping the clock at 1:2.2 for 1000m and 37.2 for her last 600m. She is not the worst of chances in the last race at Ellerslie.

Desert Queen, She's So Cavalier and Travis were Ellerslie candidates who showed speed in training at Takanini yesterday.

Working on a good plough, unusual for this time of year, Desert Queen cut out 1000m in 1:2.5, the last in 37.7. She is a 2-year-old on debut tomorrow.

She's So Cavalier also recorded 1:2.5 for her 1000m, the last 600 in 38.2.

Travis went 1000m, timed for the final 800 in 49.6 and 600 in 36.6. Those times would be considered quick even in summer.

Wise Man's Step finished 800m in 52.2, the last 600 in 38.7. Rain would help his chances tomorrow.

Ocean Rules strode 1200m in 1:23.6. She was doing her best work over the final 600 in 40.

So was Lady Of The House, who covered her 1200m in 1:23, the closing 600 in 38.1.

Cha Cha completed 1000m in 1:6.6, the last 600 in 40.3. Beat Of A Heart, a promising fifth last time out, galloped 1000m with Montreal Gold in 1:8.7, the last 600 in 39.9.

Tuscaloosa was in good form at Cambridge.

Galloping on the outside of an easy track, Tuscaloosa looked ready to clear maiden class when covering 600m in 39.1. He was travelling stronhly at the finish.

Irish Sting was not fully extended to run 1000m in 1.7. She was a recent trials winner and makes her debut at Ellerslie tomorrow.

Adamant Lad and race rival Viaduct Belle were together over 600m in 40.2. Twochiefsoneindian looked in good order when coming in from the 600m in 41.

Last-start winner Leigh Valley worked attractively at Te Awamutu.

On a slow sand, Leigh Valley covered 1000m in 1.8.2, the 600 in 39.5.

Mr Hefner started at the 1900m and was joined from the 600 by Mantra. The 1000m took 1.10.2 and the 600 39.6.