Racing: Jokers Wild ready to scoop pot in Wellington Guineas

Jokers Wild worked impressively in his session. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Jokers Wild left no doubts about his fitness for weekend racing when he worked in great style at Matamata yesterday morning.

Galloping 18 metres on a heavy course proper, Jokers Wild (Coleman) and Pinprick (Davidson) finished together after a solid 1200m in 1:17.2, the last 1000m in 1:03.5 and 600m in 37.5. It was especially good work as the pair worked late in the session when the ground had been opened up.

With the Wellington meeting now transferred to Hastings (originally Awapuni) on Saturday, Jokers Wild has been confirmed as a starter in the Wellington Guineas.

Pinprick, who likewise has come through his last-start Hastings win in excellent order, is headed for Ellerslie on Saturday.

Maroofity (Sapsworth), a likely rival in the open 1400m there, worked in good style with Captain Cook Stakes candidate Arlingtonboulevard (Walker). He set off three lengths in front of his companion and was still a length in front at the finish after clocking 1:18.2 and 37.2. There was also plenty to like about Arlingtonboulevard's work.

Wellington Guineas candidate Sands Of Time (N Harris) was impressive in his work with Judgement Day (Ritchie), being timed from the 1200m in 1:19.6, 1000m in 1:04.8 and 600m in 37.8.

Yet another for the three-year-old feature, Bonaichi (C. Ormsby), was in good form when partnering Royal Kazak (O. Boson) over 1000m in 1:03, the final 600m in 37.4. Royal Kazak is forward to resume at Ellerslie.

Captain Cook Stakes candidate Dezigna (Hillis) and Kiri (Anderson) cut out 1200m in 1:19.8, the final 600m in 38.4.

Last start winner Valley Chief (R. Jones) and Veloce Bella (J. Collett) cut out 1200m in 1:20.2, the last 600m in 39, while British Ensign (K. Jones) and Winsome Kash (Hayes) took 1:18.4 and 38.8, and Rhythm Method (Dowling) 1:21.6 and 40.6.

Veil (M. Carston) and Cruz Control (Ritchie) were steady in the early stages of 1000m in 1:06.2, quickening for a final section in 37.6. Insignificant (Wenn) and Kirra Sand (Gartner) took 1:20.6 for 1200m and 38.6 for the final 600m, while Thousand Veils (O. Bosson) and Time Spent (R. Jones) ran 1:18 and 39.9, and Get Even (Davidson) and The Shoe (Coleman) 1:19.4 and 39.7.

Archilles (R Jones) and Overflo (Weatherley) were paired in smart work over 1200m in 1:19.4 and 600m in 38. Ellerslie runner Willie Ryan (Rastrick) also impressed over 1000m in 1:04.7, the final 600m in 37.9.

Bellevue Lass (Gartner) covered 1200m in 1:23.6 and 600m in 39.5, Virginie (N Harris) clocked 1:22.4 and 39.5, Bayou Belle (Wenn) 1:23.8 and 40.2.

* Valazar and Post Thyme galloped smartly together at Pukekohe yesterday.

Working on the outside of a dead No 1 grass, Valazar, ridden by trainer Leanne Bertling, and stablemate Post Thyme (Hollis) ran 1000m in 1:2.6, the last 600 in 36.7.

Elementary (Weston-Arnold) covered 1000m in 1:4.4, the final 600 in 36.3.

Waltzmydear (Isman) moved off from the 1000m and dashed the last 600 in 35.8. Bookkeeper (Isman) completed 1000m in 1:4.4, the last 600 in 37.5.

Braxton (Rolston) shaded Sistronic (Weston-Arnold) after 800m in 51.5, the closing 600 in 37.3.

Waikeepadacash (Yetton) finished 1000m in 1:5.5, the last 600 in 38.3.

On the all-weather sand, Stripped (Yuill) covered 12000m in 1:19.6, the last 600 in 38.3.

Cog Hill did light exercise, just hours before his flight to Melbourne. Michael Rodd will ride him in the Waterford Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

* Pinot Grigio was in fine form at Cambridge yesterday morning when preparing for weekend racing on a dead No.2 grass, with the markers out l8 metres.

Pinot Grigio (Walsh) drew clear of stablemate Zed (Weller) after completing 1200m in 1:17.3, the last 600m in 38.6. Molta (Collins) and La Grandessa (Satherley) matched strides from the 1000m in 1:4.2, coming home in 39.9. Volk Dancer (Hofmann) worked over 1200m in 1:17.4, the concluding 600m in 38.6.

Fascinator (Gillies) and Pose for Me (Weller) were paired over 1000m in 1:6, finishing off in 38.7. Brompton (Cameron) was sent 1200m , travelling well throughout in 1:18, the concluding 600m in 39.1. Magic Cape (P. Holmes) and stablemate Zerello (Holmes) completed a smart 1000m in 1:3, sprinting the 600m in 37.8.

Didee Blue (Thornton) and Altesina (Moki) came to the end of 1200m in 1:20.9, the last 600m in 38.7. I Rock My World (Gedge) worked nicely from the 1000m in 1:6 and 38.3. Bolivar (M. Cameron) and Haayil Lee May (Ropiha) ran 1000m together in 1:6.9, the final section in 39.2.

Baby Snooks (Brancacova) strode 1200m in 1:22.1 , the last 600m in 38.5. Myriad (Hofmann) and Ritzy Lady (Norvall) covered 1200m in 1:18.8, the final 600m in 38.9.

Working on the No.l grass Twisting (Wheadon) and Deferred (Leahy) sprinted 600m in 36.5. Orpington (Douglas) was restrained over 600m in 40. Centree (Thornton) returned 1:10 for 1000m, coming home in 42.

Hasta La Ciao (Walsh), who is headed for the Melbourne Cup carnival, covered 1000m in 1:7.5, the last 600m in 38.7.