Racing: Ellerslie runners look fit and up to their tasks

Tabeela left no doubts about her fitness for Ellerslie tomorrow when she turned in a sound final workout at Matamata yesterday.

Galloping on a good sand with raceday rider Michael Coleman in the saddle, Tabeela strode over 1200m in 1:20.2, the final 600 in 37.2. The Zabeel mare is ready to make her debut in tomorrow's maiden stayers event.

Ellerslie form runner Kiwi King was partnered by an Imperial Seal gelding over 1000m in 1:07.2, the last 600 in 37.4.

Hurdle candidate Slash N Burn ran a solid 1200m in 1:17.2, the last 600 in 37.7. Phillipa Glass was allowed a more leisurely task over the same ground in 1:26.8 and 42.2.

Clean Sweep got through smart work, 1000m in 1:02.8 and 600 in 36.2. Umistme ran his 1000m in 1:06.6, the 600 in 37.2, while Any Given Sunday and Zergor showed promise over 1000m in 1:04.5, the 600 in 36.7.

Imperial Warrior rounded off his work with 1200m in 1:26.8 and 600 in 42.5. The Shoe and Algorithm took 1:10.6 for 1000m, quickening over the last 600 in 38.4.

On the course proper, where the track was soft 25 metres out, Rhythm Method completed his Ellerslie preparation with 1200m in 1:29.6, the final 600 in 42.6. Xcellent hit out boldly over 1000m in 1:06, the last 600 in a very respectable 39.6.

Mystic Jade took 1:08.4 for 1000m, the last 600 in 41.2, while Realign took 1:16.4 and 43.5.

Surprizerphew returned a first-class final trial for Ellerslie on the inside of a soft No 1 grass at Takanini yesterday.

Ridden by Megan Liefting, Surprizerphew covered 1000m in 1:5.5, the last 800 in 51.4 and 600 in a very smart 37.3. He is seeking a hat-trick of wins tomorrow and promises to give the task a good shot.

Grani worked nicely over 1000m in 1:6.6, the final 600 in 38.1. Given his latest form it is hard to imagine he will not run well again.

Stellar Anne, perhaps appreciating the better footing against the rail, really pleased co-trainer Frank Ritchie with her work, 1200m in 1:27.3, the last 600 in 39.6.

Wise Man's Step completed 800m in 55.6, the last 600 in 39.9, and Mickelen was let off with 600 which he finished in 38.9.

Ocean Rules was given a very easy 1200m, taking 1:31.7, the last 600 in 41.8.

My Lips Ar Sealed was not extended to run the closing 800m of 1000 in 56.2 and 600 in 41.

The well-seasoned Aircraft galloped the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:25.9 and 600 in 41.3.

Astaire rounded off his preparation for Ellerslie with another smart gallop at Cambridge. Work was done on the outside of a soft No.4 grass.

Astaire, a consistent performer of late, travelled at three-quarter pace from the l200m before sprinting the final 600m in 38.l.

Slavenger was clocked from the 800m in 54, the final 600in 40. He is improving with each run and looks a good prospect for Ellerslie.

Casual Lad left l000 metres behind in a comfortable l:l4, the last 600m in 43.7.

Malarkey sprinted the final 600m of work in 39.6.

Galloping on the outside of the No.2 grass Holy Summer Storm completed l200m in l:29.l with the final section in 42. La Sizeranne looked in good order when sprinting her final 600m in 40.l. Oh Buoy came in from the l000m in l:ll, the 600m in 42.6. Crown Dancer reeled off l200m in l:29, coming home in 42.

Hardly any fast work was done at Te Awamutu.

On the sand, Mantra worked away from the winning post and galloped the last 600 in 39.2.

Bronx and a gelding by The Commander worked 600m in 40.9.

Florence May worked attractively over 1000m in 1:07.2, followed by Saplaya also over 1000m in 1:08.1.