Racing: Melbourne Cup hopefuls wrap up preparations

Pentane's Melbourne Cup campaign looked back on track when he turned in a rousing gallop at Matamata yesterday.

On a good plough and with trainer Lance O'Sullivan in the saddle, Pentane started off from the 2200m mark and had the speed on when he picked up Kurabeel (C. Ormsby) at the 1200m. In a solid gallop from that point they clocked 1:13, with the last 1000m in 59.8 and 600m in 35.2.

Even allowing that O'Sullivan asked Pentane to really stretch out, it was exceptional work. Pentane has only to satisfy his connections in a lighter workout tomorrow morning to board a flight for Melbourne later in the day.

Another Melbourne Cup entrant booked on that flight is Envoy, who pleased his connections when, wearing blinkers fir the first time, he won over ground at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday. Both he and Pentane are scheduled to run in the Geelong Cup next Wednesday, as is Matamata's third Melbourne Cup hope Kerry O'Reilly, who was flown to Melbourne on Tuesday.

Keep the Passion (C. Ormsby) turned in a sound trial for the Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa on Monday when she was partnered by Aint She Neat (O'Sullivan) over 1200m in 1:14.5, the 1000m in 1:00.4 and 600m in 35.9.

Race rival Imananabaa (C. Lammas) was not after time in her work on the all-weather track, with the last 1000m in 1:05.2 and 600m in 38.4.

Back on the plough Avondale candidates Humdinger (C. Thornton) and Pelagic (Gregory) went very easily through the early stages of their work and were timed from the 800m in 52.3, with both travelling well at the finish.

Game Call (De Klerk) and Love Bite (Saad) completed their Avondale preparation by running the last 600m of their work together in 38.6.

Realign (Davidson) and Do Me A Favour (Coleman), likely runners at Te Rapa, impressed over 1200m in 1:13.8 and 600m in 35.7.

Centapin (Dowling) and Nordic Dancer (Ramsay) looked improvers for Te Rapa when running 1200m in 1:16 and 600m in 36.4.

* A sensational gallop by Magic Tryst was the highlight of training at Pukekohe yesterday.

Working on the outside of a good No 1 grass, Magic Tryst (Cooksley) covered 1200m in 1:12.5, the last 1000 in 58.5 and 600 in 34.8. She promises to give Naturo a real run for her money in the feature at Te Rapa on Monday.

On the all-weather sand, Punt Higher (Judy Collett) completed 1200m in 1:17.6, the last 1000 in 1:2 and 600 in as smart 35.3. Hitman (Cooksley) was under a firm hold through 1000m in 1:7.5, the last 600 in 40.8. He does not have Solvini to contend with at Avondale tomorrow.

A rival, Rapid Rielle (Bradley) ended 800m in 52, the last 600 in 38.1.

* Jovial Jock enhanced his chances for Avondale this weekend with a solid work-out at Cambridge yesterday. Galloping on a firm plough Jovial Jock (Lang) worked over 1000m in 1:6.7, sprinting the final 600m in 36.8.

Astaire (Hofmann) came in from the 1200m in 1:22, finishing off in 36.5. Hagr (Whitworth) was timed from the 600m in 37.2. Zerello (Holmes) and Martini Times (medium weight) worked well together over 1200m in 1:17, dashing the last 600m in 36.4. Both should run prominently at Avondale.