Racing: Major Mile effort expected from Matamata star

Kristov completed his preparation for the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on New Year's Day with a bold gallop at Matamata yesterday.

On the all-weather track Kristov (T. Thornton) set off keenly to run the last 1200m of his work in 1:13.4 and was kept up to his task over the last 600m in 36.3. Topweight and all, the ultra-consistent galloper promises another big effort on Sunday.

Most other work took place on the plough, which provided good going. Railway Handicap candidate Devoted (Cheshire) looked very well when put through his paces over 1000m in 1:04.3 and 36.8 for the last 600.

Seventh Heaven (C. Lammas), a runner in the Taupo Cup tomorrow, cut out a solid 1200m in 1:15.8, the 600 in 37.2. Delbury (Sapsworth) and Dawdy (T. Harris) poured on the pace over 1000m in 1:01.2, the final 600m in 35.8.

Jesterchine (C. Ormsby) looked ready for the Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie when running 1000m in 1:04, the final 600m in 36.2. Brosarm (H. McQuade) covered the same distance in 1:05.4 and 38.6, while Red Baron (Liu) took 1:05.2 and 36.6, Gold Stripper (M. Brosnan) 1:03.4 and 36.9, and Lagasse (B. Lammas) and Lunaroso (Gartner) 1:05.2 and 37.8.

Count Zohra (K. McQuade) got through a tidy 1000m in 1:05.2 and 36.7 and Screama (Rastrick) took 1:07.4 and 37. Fancyfree (T. Thornton) wore blinkers when sent over 1200m in 1:27.3, the last 600m in 37.2. She steps up to 2000m in the Royal Stakes on Sunday.

Likely race rival Centapin (Dowling) worked over 1200m in 1:24.2, the 600 in 40.2, while Cool Talk (C. Ormsby) was well held over the same ground in 1:28.4 and 43.6. Allegory (Coleman) and Cedar Of Lebanon (Carmine) wasted no time over 1200m in 1:15.2, the final 600 in 36.3.

Although not chasing time, Valley Chief (M. Innes) still impressed with 1200m in 1:24.7, the last 600 in 39.2.

Kash In Time (H McQuade) covered the same trip in 1:18.7 and 38.5, Temple Hills (Rastrick) took 1:27.2 and 39, Pentane (C Ormsby) 1:27.3 and 40.4, and Lady Attire (Sliz) and Define Style (Coleman) 1:17.8 and 36.4.

Patrol (P. Brosnan) and Long Tall Texan (Murray) strode over the last 1200m of their work in 1:18.9 and 600 in 37.8. Ballymore Lass (Carmine) completed her preparation for Taupo with a steady 1000m in 1:11.7 and 600 in 41.5.

* Sedecrem and Abbey Drive galloped pleasingly together at Takanini yesterday in readiness for Ellerslie on Sunday.

Working on a fast plough, the pair covered 1000m in 1:2.5, the last 600 in 37, both travelling effortlessly in the finish sprint.

Tantalic showed his customary zest to complete 1200m in 1:16.3, the last 600 in 36.8.

Grand Chevaux, disappointing to date, worked nicely to finish the last 1000m of 1200 in 1:2.9 and 600 in 37.6.

On a good sand, Tantara looked to have come through her recent winning run in good heart when going 1000m with Coup Christchurch, the last 800 in 51. They quickened for the final 600 in 36.

Accardo was under a firm hold through 1000m in 1:8.6, the last 600 in 41.4.

Cog Hill paceworked twice round. He will have his final fast gallop today in preparation for the Rich Hill Classic.

* Taupo candidate Bronwyn looked close to a maiden win when galloping at Cambridge yesterday morning. The No.2 grass , with the markers out 16 metres, provided good footing.

Bronwyn (Lang) sprinted a fast 600m in 35, easily the best time of the morning. She is in first-class order.

West is Best (Thomas), a recent trials winner, worked nicely over 600m in 39.1. He is ready for his Taupo engagement tomorrow.

Chief Ebony (Foote) and He's So Vain (medium weight) matched strides over 1200m in 1:25.2, the final 600m in 38.8. Skye (Treymane) worked over 1200m in 1:29.2, the concluding 600m in 38.4. Danabard (Norvall) was comfortable throughout 800m in 56.

Working on the plough Deebee Donna (Norvall) completed the final 600m of work in 38.9. Magic Ring (Peters) was timed from the 600m in 39.7. Rebel County (Leahy) left 1000m behind in 1:6.1, the concluding 600m in 42.1. Santoya (McCarroll) was given a leisurely 600m in 48.

Galloping on the outside of the No.1 grass Ritzy Lady (Calder) and Jaquart (Norvall) were together at the end of 1400m in 1:36.9, the final 600m strongly in 38.8.