Racing: Kristov peaking for Great Northern Challenge

A brilliant gallop at Matamata yesterday left no doubts that Kristov will be at peak fitness for the Great Northern Challenge Stakes at Ellerslie tomorrow.

Working as usual on the all-weather track, Kristov (K. Jones) ran 1200m in 1:13.2, maintaining a solid gallop for a final 600m in 36.

The workout showed that Kristov is ready for the step up to 1600 metres in tomorrow's weight-for-age feature.

Madamvizelle (Swann) was also in dashing form when she worked on the plough, cutting out 1000m in 1:04.6 and the last 600 in 36.4. She meets a strong field in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes but is in excellent order for her big test.

Zergar (Davidson), who will run in the Ellerslie three-year-old event in preference to the maiden 1600, strode out well over 1200m in 1:21.4, quickening for a final section in 37.8. Race rivals Tyson (McKay) and Bold Contact (Tanner) ran 1000m in 1:06.8, the 600 in 38.4.

Boy Wonder (Collett), a candidate for Te Aroha on Sunday, was partnered by Missy Elliott (C. Lammas) over a smart 1000m in 1:03.6, the final 600m in 36.3. Inshelucky (C. Lammas) prepared for the same meeting with an attractive 800m in 51.2.

Temple Hills (Rastrick), who will run at Avondale next Wednesday, was unextended over 1200m in 1:25.2, the 600 in 39.2.

Devoted (Cheshire) relished his work over 1000m in 1:07.2, the 600 in 39.2. Vinaka (B. Lammas), who will now go for the Concorde at Avondale, was keen in the early stages of his work on the way to 1000m in 1:04.2 and 600m in 39.6.

Sanitee (C. Lammas), another booked for Te Aroha, was well held over 1000m in 1:10.2, the 600 in 41.4.

Avondale Cup candidate Upsetthym (Dowling) looked well when striding over the last 1200m of her work in 1:26.8 and 600 in 39.2.

* Sideto Emdeca finished her work on the all-weather sand at Pukekohe yesterday suggesting another winning run at Ellerslie tomorrow.

Ridden by co-trainer Shane Hapeta, the mare galloped 1200m in 1:18.9, striding out boldly over the last 600 in 36.6.

Bon Ace and Celtic Ace sprinted 600m in 36.3; Johnnie Yetton and Late Call, took 36.4, time equalled by Cruncher.

Ngahiiti, an in-form maiden runner, paceworked twice round.

Richard Yuill was one of several trainers who used a fast plough.

Black Panther covered 1200m effortlessly in 1:18, the final 600 in 37.9.

Sedecrem appeared to be revelling in his work in the finish of 1000m in 1:3.8, the last 600 in 36.8.

Larrinka covered her 1200m in 1:18.3, the final 600 in a smart 36.2.

Waltzmydear looked good ending 600m in 36.5.

Filante Etoile continued her preparation for Wednesday's Avondale Cup with a rousing 1200m in 1:15.1, the closing 600 in 37.8.

* Daddy Knows Best and Shereigns were Ellerslie acceptors to work attractively at Cambridge yesterday.

Work was on on a firm plough.

Daddy Knows Best (medium weight) was sent 1200m, completing the final 1000m in 1:4.8, the concluding 600m in 37.9. He has improved since his fresh-up fourth and looks a strong chance in the Rotary Club 1600m tomorrow.

Shereigns (Hofmann) finished her work off with a smart 600m in 37.4. She is at peak fitness for her weekend assignment.

Second Edition (Treymane) looked in excellent order when covering 1000m in 1:6, the final 600m in 39.

La Grandessa (Searle) and Laughing Stock (Robson), race rivals in the NZB Insurance Mile at Ellerslie, worked well together over 1200m in 1:18, finishing off in 39.2. Murali (Norvall) and Rapide (Robson) were together throughout 1400m in 1:35, coming home in 40.1.

Quest for Cash (Foote) and Russian Ruby (Teaz) sprinted 600m freely in 37.7. Zarracha (Keoghan) ran the fastest 600m of the morning in 35.

Stellar Anne (Peters) was timed from the 600m in 40.5. Sovereign (Callaway) followed in 40.6. Dawn Rhapsody (Norvall) worked in from the 600m in 41.6. Sienna Wave (Waters) was given a comfortable 600m in 46.

Verna (Wood), who is coming to hand well in a new campaign, sprinted 600m comfortably in 39.