Racing: Preparing to honour Starcraft at carnival finale

Bazelle should be a major threat in the Starcraft Stakes tomorrow. Picture / Martin Sykes

Kristov turned in another impressive workout at Matamata yesterday as he completed his preparation for the Starcraft Stakes at Ellerslie tomorrow.

On the all-weather track Kristov (T. Thornton) worked over two rounds, quickening in the second lap to run his last 1200m in 1:21.6, the 1000m in 1:07.8 and the final 600m in 37.2. Phil Stevens has Kristov in very good order for his middle-distance debut in the weight-for-age contest.

On the plough which was dead, race rival Bazelle (De Klerk) was restricted to sharp work in company with Sir Trev (Bowman), quickening from the 800m and timed over the final 600m in 37.2. Back to her favourite track on the weekend she is a definite threat.

Tinkerbeel (Ramsay) turned in a good trial for Ellerslie when she went with Classy Belle (Dowling) over 1200m in 1:19.5, the last 600m in 37.8. Devoted (C. Lammas) looked ready for the step up to 1600m when covering 1200m in 1:22.2 and 600 in 37.8.

Hastings runner Umistme (Tait) cut out 1000m in 1:05.8, the last 600m in 39.4. Pinprick (Coleman) prepared for Ellerslie with 1000m in 1:09.2 and 600m in 40.2, while Guarding Angel (Hercock) covered the same distance in 1:07.2 and 40.2, and The Fuzz (C. Lammas) took 1:07.7 and 39.5.

Diamond Stakes candidate Jokers Wild (Coleman) was not after time when sent over 1000m in 1:10.2, the final 600m in 39.4. Sir Sintillate (Hillis) was also allowed an easy time over 1000m in 1:11.2 and 41.

Valley Chief (M. Brosnan) looked in good order when covering 1200m in 1:23.6 and the last 600m in 40.9. Liquorice (M. Innes) covered the same ground in 1:25.2 and 40.2, Ollie Da Lollie (H. McQuade) took 1:26.2 and 42.1, Show Lad (Sapsworth) 1:25.2 and 41.4, and Adelariva (Coleman) 1:27.8 and 41.6.

Forceful (M. Innes) did good work over 1200m in 1:20.6 and the final 600m in 38.6, as did Total Control (Teggert) clocking 1:21.6 and 38. Stablemate Snip (Hillis) was kept to 1200m in 1:29.2, the last 600m in 41.2.

Kintyre Lil (Cheshire) and Kittybird (Sapsworth) took 1:07.2 for 1000m and 38.5 for the final section. Vinopolis (Andrew) got through 1200m in 1:24.5 and his last 600m in 38.2. Centapin (Dowling) took 1:26.5 for 1200m and 41.9 for the last 600m.

Milcape (C. Ormsby) was kept to 1200m in 1:27.2 and the 600 in 43.6. Ribarnica (Melton) ran her last 1000m in 1:11.5 and 600 in 41.5, while Charaad (M. Innes) returned 1:09.4 and 40.6.

Nordic Dream (Ramsay) covered 1200m in 1:21.7 and the last 600m in 39.3.

On the all-weather track Capitan (Sapsworth) wasted no time over 1000m in 1:04.8, with the final 600m taking 36.4. Bedrock (Verry) was restrained to 1000m in 1:13.2 and 42.6 for the last 600.

Fun And Fashion (Boyack) and Miss Dux (M. Innes) cut out the last 800m of their work in 55.6, quickening from the 600 in 38.6.

* Hurrah showed his fitness for the Starcraft New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie tomorrow with a bold gallop on the all-weather sand at Pukekohe yesterday.

Ridden by Shane Hapeta, the Riccarton visitor covered 1200m in 1:18.8, the last 600 effortlessly in 36.7.

Stablemate Italia was under a firm hold through 600m in 41.2.

Jaca Rema promised further good form when travelling well in the finish of 1000m in 1:4.5, the final 600 in 38.

Capital Hill and Picardo ran the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:26.3 and 600 in 40.4.

Waikeepadacash was given a very comfortable 1000m, taking 1:12, the final 600 in 43.

He has freshened nicely.

Hitchcock covered 800m in 56.8, the last 600 in 41.6, and stablemate Miss Monk recorded 56.7 and 42 for the same task.

Little Jess, who looks to have trained on nicely since her first-day win, was given an easy 600m, taking 41.5.

* Chateu Cougat was in fine form at Cambridge yesterday morning when preparing for the group one Ford Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie tomorrow.

Working with stablemate Spectacular Icon on a dead No.1 grass Chateau Cougat (Hills) ran 800m in 50.2, dashing the final 600m in 35.4. Both were travelling strongly at the finish.

Spit'n Polish (Laing) also worked sweetly when sprinting the final 600m of his gallop in 35.7.

Rowdy Yates (Leahy) was sent 1200m in 1:24.7, covering the final section in 40. Aukay (Wood) and The dukeofcambridge (Clarke) matched strides over a solid 1000m in 1:3.6, coming home in 37.2.

Texas (Callaway) worked in from the 600m in 39.1. Vision (Calder) completed 1400m in 1:39.2, the last 600m in 39.3. Myriad (Walsh) was sent 1400m , sprinting the concluding 600m in 36.7.

Blazing Lady (Douglas) was not pushed when running 800m in 56.4. Santoya (Bransakova) was timed from the 600m in 39.1.

Asmahan (Calder) returned 1:40.6 for 1400m, the final section in 40.

Durango Kid (Wall) and Intersect (Crawford) completed 1000m together in 1:6, the 600m in 36.9. Haka Man (Leahy) and Haayil Lee May (German) impresed over 1000m in a fast 1:1.9, finishing off in 35.1.

Dauntless (Hills) and Tyler Taylor (Clarke) left 800m behind in 50.4. Best Page, Black Cat and Grand Ballare came in from the 600m in 40.2.

Working on the sand Viaduct Belle (Satherley) and Spinning Meteor (Gillies) were paired over 1000m in 1:7, the last 600m in 38.5.

Marnaki (Hofmann) and Razaya (Hills) returned 41.9 for 600m. Murtata (Crawford) and Black Mamba (Satherley) reeled off 600m in 39.8.

Astaire (Hofmann) covered the final 600m of his gallop in 40.5.